By Dennis Prager
For one thing, the word “God” is not God’s name. So, saying something like “God, did I have a tough day today” does not violate this commandment. “God” is God’s title. But God’s name is YHVH (we do not know exactly how it is pronounced, and Jews refrain from pronouncing it). It is this name (in the Hebrew original) we are forbidden to say in vain.
But the ultimate, and far more important, reason this sin is unforgiveable is due to something else, which can only be understood if we translate the verb of this command- ment literally. Do not “take” is not what the commandment actually says. The Hebrew verb in the commandment, tisa, means “carry.” The commandment therefore reads, “Do not carry God’s name in vain.”
And who carries God’s name in vain? Any person who claims to be acting in God’s name while doing the opposite of what God wants—evil. Obvious modern examples would include Islamist terrorists who shout, Allahu Akbar (“God Is the Greatest”) when they murder innocent people; or a priest or any other clergy who, utilizing the respect engen- dered by his clerical status, molests a child. There is little question Islamist terrorists and molesting clergy have both played a role in the rise of atheism in our time.
When any person commits evil, it reflects badly on the person. But when a person commits evil in God’s name, it reflects badly on God as well. The result is the only solution to evil—God-based morality—is thoroughly undermined. When associated with evil, God and ethical monotheism are thoroughly discredited. And that is unforgivable, as it dra- matically reduces the chances of creating a good world.
No atheist activist is nearly as effective in alienating people from God and religion as are evil “religious” people. As noted, the Hebrew word y’nakeh (“hold guiltless”) literally means “cleanse.” Essentially God is saying if any- one dirties God’s name, God will never cleanse that person’s name.
And who carries God’s name in vain? Any person who claims to be acting in God’s name while doing the opposite of what God wants—evil.
—
Thanks for an injection of sanity in an otherwise overwrought panties-in-a-twist thread.
Good article. Thanks.
I always thought doing something in vain meant you did it in an unserious way. If i open a savings account in vain, then I’m not serious about saving.
If Trump said “those GD democrats” he could well have meant it. And they probably are.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing. So it sounds like a better translation than “Thou shall not take God’s name in vain” would be something like “Do not use God’s name to advance Godlessness”, or something to that effect.