Introducing… the G word!

While the “Allah” issue remains a hot topic in the media, I also have my own story to share.

I was playing with my nephews and niece when I uttered, “OH MY GOD!”. My 8-year-old nephew looked at me in disbelief and said, “It’s a sin to say ‘Oh my God!’”

“Really?” I asked.

“YES!!!! You must say ‘Oh my GOSH!’”

“Ok… sorry… Oh my GOSH, then!”

Why is this so? Why is it a sin to say “Oh my God!”? I am not the most religious person and who am I to rant about this issue? Yet I feel that I have the right to question. I was on Facebook recently and someone was in a similar situation, too. I see a pattern here: Why are we, Muslims, are being told that it is a sin to say “God”. Why now? Why not then? Furthermore, it was a kid who told me not to say the “G” word.

Is it really wrong? When I speak Bahasa Malaysia, I will say “Ya Allah….” For example, “Ya Allah… kenapa dia macam tu??” or “Ya Allah, dia okay tak?”

If I am with my English-speaking friends, it is natural for me to say “Oh my God… tell me all about it” or “Oh my God… you’re serious? Dish!!”

For me, saying the “G” word is more about language. When I say “God”, I am referring to my religion’s God i.e. Allah S.W.T. Are kids being taught by their ustaz/ustazah that it is a sin to say the “G” word? Would they tell their students that if you say “Oh my God”, you are actually referring to the non-Muslim “God”? Thus, they must say “Oh my Allah” or in my nephew’s case, “Oh my Gosh!”

Can’t blame them. “Oh my God” is everywhere, especially when you are watching the various channels on Astro. It is a famous term and remember Chandler’s annoying girlfriend from Friends? “OOOO MMMYYYY GGGAAWWDDDDD!! Heh Heh Heh Heh”

For someone who has used the “Oh my God” for most of his life, it will be a tongue-twister to change and say “Oh my Gosh!”. I am sorry but I feel comfortable saying “Oh my God!” and I see nothing wrong in that.

OH EM GEE!!!