I don't look to the world for direction, but let the Holy Spirit through the Bible speak to my heart. Rather than relinquish a perfectly good word that more than adequately describes the terrible, fearsome, praiseworthy holiness of Almighty God and his amazing (oops, you don't like that one either, right?) splendor and wonder, why not retake it from those who misuse it so callously? Even St. Augustine, as well as other early theologians used the word "awesome" in their praises of God - though I know what they wrote has been translated. I was reading something of Augustine's a few days ago and saw it although some dictionaries say the word's origins were from around the 1600's. From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/awesome we learn:
Word Origin and History
awesome
c.1600, "profoundly reverential," from awe + -some. Meaning "inspiring awe" is from 1670s; weakened colloquial sense of "impressive, very good" is recorded by 1961 and was in vogue from after c.1980.
So, of course it is overused and, as slang, it has lost some of its meaning, but I don't think we should give in and just let "them" copyright a good word. I don't think it deserves to be relinquished. But, if you feel that strongly about it, then you shouldn't use it. When the "fad" or "trend" passes, as you seem to think it will, then we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Hope you have a good weekend!
Psalm 4:4
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Augustine?!