Philosophical Vegan Forum

I refrain myself (although not costing much effort) from using bad language in public environments that can be experienced 'painfully' by the religious. I'm not talking about disrespecting religion, because that's something inevitable for an outspoken anti-theist, but using words like 'Jesus' or 'Goddammit' in a context like something going wrong.

Back when I was a believer myself I never liked people doing it, so out of empathy I'm also not doing it. But looking to it from the other side; disrespect for religion is a good thing, and profanity could benefit that goal. I do live in a society where it's pretty normal to do, (maybe it's different in the USA) so I guess it doesn't really worsen the imago of atheists.

So, do you take "God's name in vain?" And do you think it's a good or bad thing?

P.S. It's not really something I'm struggling with, but I think it's an interesting question.

I try half heartidly to refrain from swearing using religious language, but it slips. My list of most frequent used religious "swear" words:

1) jesus
2) jesus christ
3) holy shit
4) goddammit

I've been trying to stop using religious swear words for two reasons. Firstly my grandparents, who are both very religious, i don't want to say anything offensive by reflex, basically. Secondly I feel like it's just kinda weird to be saying god and jesus all the time while denying their existence (by which I mean the supernatural aspects of Jesus).

I tend to say Jebus or Jebus fuckin Christ when astonished but that's about it. However, I learned French in Quebec and Quebecois is peppered (no pun intended) with Biblical swear words that I tend to use for emphasis.