If atheists don't believe in god, why do they say "oh my god" ?
"Oh my God those religious people are so annoying!"
Doesn't make sense.
Voting Results
65% Normal
Based on 48 votes
(31 yes)
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Comments ( 36
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Shrunk
Why do religious people say "oh my gosh"? According to your logic that means they believe in someone called 'gosh'? Blasphemy!
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[Old Memory]
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sega31098
For the same reason why people say "son of a gun" when guns can't reproduce.
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modernism
Honestly, I don't even think it's that big of a deal. It's an expression - a figure of speech. At least that's what it's become.
You see how many people say "Oh my God" without a second thought? If an atheist would say "Oh my Lord" then possibly that would be a little off only because that saying isn't as common or desensitized.
Phrases tend to evolve into something other than it's meaning, once used in an excessive way.
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Dulse.
It's a cultural thing. You hear it said by people all around you, and you're bound to pick it up yourself unless you make a conscious choice not to say it. Has little to do with religion, people tend to say it without thinking of the origins much.
Like when people say "your shit is at my house man" they aren't thinking about actual poop, it's just something people say in everyday language for whatever reason.
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LifeTheRide
It's just used as a figure of speech to show shock, anger, or disbelief.
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mehmehmeh
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Loneliness
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Anonymous Post Author
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Riddler
Like the above says its a force of habit. This is kind of something I find irritating as well. Since when people use expressions like "God forbid" or "Oh my god" it is not saying they believe in god or they want you to believe in god. Using expressions from the bible too does not automatically discredit the point they were making if you are not in fact Christian.
I sometimes use expressions to sum up what I want to say instead of trying to explain it in a paragraph long explanation of my work. It does not mean I am saying "You all need to be Christians" it is simply an expression. These expressions are cultural and often learned early on in childhood.
How many times have you actually heard the phrase "Oh my god" or some variation of it? Does that mean you need to go to church, read the bible, or worship the lord? No, but these are expressions most people use and since its so common its not really a reflection of your religious belief or standings but more a reflection of your environment.
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Loneliness
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thegypsysailor
I use a lot of religious based expressions. God damn it, oh for god's sake and christ on a crutch, for instance. They are just that, expressions; god is just a word like shit or crap or garbage, and though it may have some significant meaning to you, it certainly has none to me, other than to give emphasis to an emotional outburst.
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RoseIsabella
They say it, because it's a figure of speech.
The way I see it is as a bit of a Freudian slip. Perhaps these so called atheists are more agnostic than they would have others think. Even if they don't believe in God, God loves and believes in them I feel.
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Anonnet
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EccentricWeird
How is it "Freudian"? Do you know what the phrase "Freudian slip" means, or do you just like believing you sound intelligent?
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RoseIsabella
Seriously? You gotta be really bored to wanna go there with me.
A Freudian Slip is an unintentional error regarded as revealing subconscious feelings. So perhaps our hypothetical atheist has some subconscious, or as Freud would say, unconscious, remaining belief in God that he or she is ashamed of or embarrassed to admit for fear of being judged as foolish, sentimental or not intellectual enough.
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mehmehmeh
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ssj4gotenks
It's because it's ingrained into our culture and forced down our throats during our younger years. It's also terribly overused for the smallest of things. You're supposed to say OMG only to disasters or genuine good fortune.
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Crapper
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RoseIsabella
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Atlaes
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pastor_of_muppets
Well, for that matter, why do Christians even say "oh my god"? The manners in which they say it is not aimed in a religious or respectful way to the fairy that magically created them.
All arrogance aside from my behalf, us Atheists are very respectful people. The only way you get us worked up is by being a belligerent religious "warrior" who feel the need to oppress other groups.
That would be the point when we will stand up and say something like: "get Moses' stick out your arse and make like the sea and split open down the centre AND DIE, YOU POMPOUS COCKHOLE!! :)
Personally, I have never verbally used the expression "oh my god" (note the small 'g') because it is weak, in bad taste, insensitive and it has seemingly become 'fashion' or mainstream.
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Cheet0
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Leonard_Hatred_
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OtherSide
To troll religious people, mostly.
The atheist who inspired OP to start this thread succeeded.
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mehmehmeh
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dameda
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Avant-Garde
Don't you see!? They are taking his name in vain! It's a sting towards Yahweh. I'm not an atheist nor do I believe in the Abrahamic representation of god, but sometimes, "oh my God!" slips out of my mouth or in my typing. I try to refrain from doing so, since to me, it seems disrespectful.
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Dot123
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KeddersPrincess
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There are many explanations. Perhaps, they are facetiously paying homage, and think it is funny.
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