The Help
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Using God's name in vain
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Michael
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rated it 4 stars
Jul 16, 2013 02:31AM
It is a shame God's name is used in vain so often in the book. Some think words do not hurt us. Read Exodus 20:7 in the Bible. Also try yelling fire in a crowded room. Ask politicians and other public figures whose lives have been ruined by the use of careless words. Such a great book ruined by using God's name in vain.
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...............That's what ruined the book for you? I can't tell if you're just trolling/kidding or if you're being serious.
Blasphemy is a victimless crime.
Miriam wrote: "...............That's what ruined the book for you? I can't tell if you're just trolling/kidding or if you're being serious."I agree with that sentiment.
There is a fair point to be made that this is a sugar-coated, feel good book that minimizes the suffering the African Americans went through in the South (and still do in some places). But this may just be the first time I've heard someone complain because a fictional character said God outside of fictional prayer, in a fictional book.
Jeni wrote: "Miriam wrote: "...............That's what ruined the book for you? I can't tell if you're just trolling/kidding or if you're being serious."I agree with that sentiment.
There is a fair point to..."
Is that all you got from this book? Nothing else got to you? Really?
Miriam, I wish I said what you said.
I think this was a troll comment. He has only one book listed.
blasphemy hurts God, who is The most important one of all.i liked the book , but was sad about the blasphemy.
God's name is not "God". So his "name" was never used in vain in this book.
Maria wrote: "God's name is not "God". So his "name" was never used in vain in this book."That's really bad reasoning. Just saying, but seriously God's name is God or we wouldn't call him that. He has many names: Lord, God, Father, Abba, Yahweh; they are all viable options for taking His name in vain. Obviously it's important to him that we don't or it wouldn't be one of the Ten Commandments
"God's name is God or we wouldn't call him that."Ha Ha!! Can't argue with that reasoning! We're doing it, therefore it has to be correct! Funny!!
"He has many names: Lord, God, Father, Abba, Yahweh"
GOD, LORD, FATHER are titles. Abba is the Hebrew word for Father. Yahweh...yes that would be a name.
"Taking the Lord's name in vain" - that does not mean saying God's name before a curse word. It means swearing an oath by God's name - as in "I swear in God's name never to do that again"... and then taking that oath in vain by not doing what you swore to.
Do the research.
Maria wrote: ""God's name is God or we wouldn't call him that."Ha Ha!! Can't argue with that reasoning! We're doing it, therefore it has to be correct! Funny!!
"He has many names: Lord, God, Father, Abba, ..."
Saying those are "titles" does not change anything since "title" is synonymous to "name". You can ask for the title of a book or the name of a book and it means the same thing.
Furthermore, "the Lord's name is holy and should be introduced into one's speech only to bless, praise or glorify that name. The name should be used respectfully, with an awareness of the presence of God. It must not be abused by careless speech, false oaths, or words of hatred, reproach or defiance toward God, or used in magic."
Mary, we'll just have to respectfully agree to disagree on this one. I don't agree that title is synonymous to name.
Examples: Lord Cornwallis (British General), Father Brown (local priest), President Obama.
When you use the title "Lord" or "General" or "Father", and especially "God" - there is still a question as to which one you are referring to.
God said "you shall have no other gods before me". So He acknowledged that there were lots of "gods" but only one of Him. There are Greek, Roman, Hindi, etc etc "gods". And they all have names like Zeus, Neptune, Vishnu....that their worshippers used. Why shouldn't the Christian God have a name?
If you stood up and said "I believe in God" in a room full of diverse people and cultures, unless you be a little more specific by using His name, how would they know which one you meant?
If God wants us to have a close, personal relationship with Him as the Bible states, then I think he'd want to be on a first name basis.
Side note - I also find it interesting that you mention "not to be used in magic".... How many "sensitives" or paranormal types say that God is directing them in their conversations with the dead? I find that to be extremely blasphemous.
This was an excellent book. It shed real light on real problems, and it was a great read. Who CARES if there's a few bad words! It's how people TALK, fer crissakes!GROW UP, PEOPLE!
*facepalm*
God is an ambiguous concept with the definition being relative to different people. So I may use God's name in vain and it may not be against my religious views; consequently it may well be so for another person. We each bring our own background into the book. I have no problem with God's name being used in vain because God means something different for me than for you. Your point is valid based on your views, but it is relative.
Whether it be name or title, when we're in trouble, we can call upon Lord, God, Father, Jesus, Abba, Elohim, Yahweh, Prince of Peace, Jehovah Jireh, etc and He will answer us!!
Well, the Bible does say "he who calls on the NAME of the true God will be saved". Not so sure title cuts it - He obviously is proud of His name and wants His followers to use it.I don't think any of the mainstream religions in Christendom use anything but God or Lord. And to make it worse, they have the nerve to use God and Jesus interchangeably as if they are the same entity.
Doesn't it annoy you when someone who should know your name calls you by someone else's name and doesn't care enough to do differently?
You're right, they do use God and Jesus interchangeably. I guess God is more politically correct. Anyhow, I really enjoyed reading The Help.
I agree completely. God's name is holy and it is explicitly said in His Word that His name shall be above all others, and not taken in vain. It's a shame.
So, Gigi, what then, is God's name? And if it's so holy then why did you refer to him as merely "God" in your comment? How can his name be above all others if it's never said by his followers?
I loved the book, The Help, and have to admit, I do not remember being aware of an overload of using God's name in vain because I was so caught up in the story. Now, I'll have to look back.
Taneeka wrote: "Whether it be name or title, when we're in trouble, we can call upon Lord, God, Father, Jesus, Abba, Elohim, Yahweh, Prince of Peace, Jehovah Jireh, etc and He will answer us!!"I agree with you. What is it the Jewish people used because they would not say His name because it is so holy?
The Church of the SubGenius worships (sort of) Bob. So you'll be careful using my name in vain.Seriously (sort of), let me know when you lot have established a theocracy in the States so I'll know to be extra careful when visiting.
Sorry (sort of), don't know whether to laugh or cry when a comment as asinine as the one that started this thread gets a response. Maybe the best thing is just to finally get so fed up with Goodreads and.......
Maria wrote: ""God's name is God or we wouldn't call him that."Ha Ha!! Can't argue with that reasoning! We're doing it, therefore it has to be correct! Funny!!
"He has many names: Lord, God, Father, Abba, ..."
It also means using God's name to support something God would not support. It is not cursing.
Robert wrote: "The Church of the SubGenius worships (sort of) Bob. So you'll be careful using my name in vain.Seriously (sort of), let me know when you lot have established a theocracy in the States so I'll k..."
Do not get "fed up" w/Goodreads! I am pleased folks responded, for most part, calmly. It is a view I had not thot of in regards to The Help. I did read it 2 yrs ago and loved it. What I cannot stand is an author who throws it in as confetti. As to cursing and the ubiquitous F word, Cukoo's Calling...liked it, but by 3/4 thru, I felt, Enough!
What are some things that everyone enjoyed about the book?
Sappy sugar coating of a serious subject. In trying to rah-rah the civil rights movement, it denigrated the people it purported to praise--not a woman was realistic, there was not a single positive male black character,and it still came down to, "Those lucky black people! Good thing for them some white people came along to do them right." Who (besides the author) actually believes these little white children were the center of their maid's lives by choice? That they loved them? They were a job, and one that often took these women away from their own families for an unconscionable amount of each day. Pap, if well-written pap.Wow. Nothing to day about the 'Lord's name' debate, other than close the book if it offends you.
Nora wrote: "What is it the Jewish people used because they would not say His name because it is so holy?"Most use the word "Hashem." It translates to "The name" from Aramaic.
Autumn wrote: "Sappy sugar coating of a serious subject. In trying to rah-rah the civil rights movement, it denigrated the people it purported to praise--not a woman was realistic, there was not a single positive..."It did not affect me as "sappy" or "pap". I felt the main character struggled with her upbringing in the South and did want to write about the black women in white homes. The extremes.....not to use same bathroom. The fear I imagine was very real to speak about their experiences. Yes, it was stated that while caring for white folks' babies, she had to leave her son at home and then he died as young man. Their lives were very hard, but they did what they had to, in the 50s, 60s.
The backbone those ladies had to have. They also were wise enough to have fun when they could. Laugh when they could. I enjoyed their interactions.
Taneeka wrote: "What are some things that everyone enjoyed about the book?"gertt wrote: "I don't feel this book sugar coated anything. It wasn't about all the racial injustices which occurred, it was about a select group of women and the effect racism had on their individual lives. Di..."
So much that I enjoyed - ohmy, the "queen bees" of the social set, the commodes in front yard, Mae Mobley and Aibilene, Minnie! THE cake.Skeeter's devotion to Constantine.
I totally agree! This book has a lot of cursing, not only taking God's name in vain. I still read it, loved it, and will read it again, but I can't suggest it to everybody and that stinks! I wish we could have like, PG versions of books with all the cursing bleeped out...that would be cool:)
For the sake of literature and art, I make exceptions to crude language/ nudity because it makes it "more real" if you will. Do I like it or speak like that? No. Is this a great book...yes I believe it is .
I don't remember a thing about any cursing or blasphemy. That apparently wasn't the highlight of the book for me.
I can't say it ruined the book for me, but I will say it bothered me. Not so much the fact that it was there, but that it is normal for people in our culture to say. What happened to the 1800s? Where taking God's name was hardly ever done, kids did what they were told, schools were more successful with all the kids, and girls especially were more... Covered.
What's wring with the word gosh? It's the same number of syllables, so you aren't using any more time to say it, the first two letters are the same. Grammatically speaking, it makes sense in the most used "oh my gosh!"
Goodness works most of the time gosh does not.
As I said before, since "God" is not his name, it wasn't taken in vain. But assuming you still think it was....where do you think "gosh" came from? Notice the first 2 letters...
I think if you are reading a book and are offended by anything in it you should put it down, not keep reading then talk about how offended you were.
Nowadays it's difficult to live without hearing 'God's name in vain' and i think that you should accept that it's very commonly used in both spoken language and literature. I understand that lots of people would take offence but I don't think one should dismiss a book because of it.
Whether something offends someone to the point of dismissing the book is entirely up to them. But they will miss out on some great books if putting the title (not name)God in front of a curse word offends them.
People have really twisted what "using the name of God in vain" means - so they are getting offended by actually something that is NOT what they are referring to.
I don't think this book denigrated anyone - if anything it made the white ladies look shallow and silly - which of course they were.That's why I don't understand why some African American groups take offense at this book.
They don't like the dialect used by the black maids. Well, hello, like it or not that's how they spoke back then! Does that mean that all black people speak that way now? No. It's also how most white people in the south spoke - and they still do speak that way. Just visit my relatives in Mobile, Alabama if you don't believe me.
The difference is, they just aren't worried about being "offended". They couldn't care less what other people think of them or how they speak.
"Using God's name in vain" is a part of the reading experience. People in real life frequently do. It would be quite unrealistic for a book such as this one not to; it would also be an inaccurate portrayal. If it is offensive to you, I think that the use of the word "God" may not be the only thing in the book that is offensive, so perhaps reading this is a mistake.
They had no control over being a racist bitch? I think they did. Social stigma? Seriously? Devastating to their husbands career? So what? I don't think you are saying that these "shallow" excuses justified their bigoted behavior and horrible treatment of the maids. At least I hope not.
Not upset, just surprised. I know things were different back then but I would hope that if it were me, no matter what, I wouldn't be that way.
Relax. I'm sure your imaginary friend doesn't care about it. If he's really the omnipotent omniscient creature you believe him to be, he really doesn't need you protecting him from rude words.
Good question, gertt. Sigh. I guess even goodreads has its trolls.
Just because Fiona called God someone's imaginary friend does not make her rude. And she's right about him not needing to be protected by us if he's so all-powerful. Some people are just way too sensitive. Besides, as I've said all along - God is not his name, it's his title or position, like General, Father, President. No one has the nerve to dispute that...they just want to comment on someone's so-called rudeness.
gertt - God's name is not "God". He IS a God. I am a woman. My name is not "Woman". It is WHAT I am vs. my actual name. Same with God. Examples: Lord Cornwallis (British General), Father Brown (local priest), President Obama.
When you use the title "Lord" or "General" or "Father", and especially "God" - there is still a question as to which one you are referring to.
God said "you shall have no other gods before me". So He acknowledged that there were lots of "gods" but only one of Him. There are Greek, Roman, Hindi, etc etc "gods". And they all have names like Zeus, Neptune, Vishnu....that their worshippers used. Why do all those so-called Non-Christian religions use their god(s) names and we - the actual "true" Christian religion - refuse to?
Anyway, point being - it's not using his name in vain, or disrespecting his name - his name was not ever used. Just his title or position of GOD.
It's not "what I feel" - its true! If you are ok with just calling him God - then great. I prefer to have a closer relationship with him. We are on a first name basis. Besides, it doesn't matter what millions of people do - if it's not right. It matters what He expects. He can certainly reject millions of people if they don't worship him His way - he's done it many times in the past.
Good thing to end it since there is no defense to the name vs. title thing - there is no good reason anyone can give as to why Christians refuse to use God's actual name. If I'm wrong, come on, Christians - here's your chance to explain it to me.
Maria--I am just curious as to what God's correct name is?I am a Christian and went to years of private school where religion classes and chapel occurred daily and never did I learn that there was a 'correct name'. He has been referred to as many names...God, Lord, Yaweh, Eloheim, Jehovah, Almighty, Bread of Life, Everlasting Father, I Am, etc.
In my opinion however you choose to refer to him is the 'correct way'. I don't believe He cares which of these names you subscribe to..only that you have a relationship with Him.
Nikki - I went to Catholic school through 6th grade and not once did they even mention that God had a name. That's why I got curious too.I think, and it's just my opinion- that Yahweh and Jehovah come the closest based on the Hebrew texts. Of course we don't know how it would have been pronounced - but I do think God appreciates when people at least try to use his name in worship - even if they are not pronouncing it quite right.
However, I do think he cares if we don't even try to use it or even find out what it is - and say oh well, God is close enough. If I remember correctly, the Bible says that all who call on the NAME of God will be saved. Not all who call on GOD, but call his NAME. And I don't see most of Christendom doing that.
I'm sorry if some people think I'm criticizing or judging them or their relationship with God (gertt) - I'm not.
I'm just trying to have an adult discussion about a subject that has always intrigued me. I guess some people feel defensive about it - maybe the guilt that they feel for not knowing or using God's name - who knows.
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