God's Name in Vain

The next year is bound to be a political mess. One of the worst aspects of the current political climate is the way Christian language has been coopted by political ideology. Rather than letting faith dictate how they vote, people let their political beliefs dictate their views of God. The two are so twisted in some circles that for many people, the face of Christianity is this hateful, toxic political movement that glorifies the wealthy and the warmakers.

As children, most of us are taught that the commandment “thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” means not to use God’s name flippantly, as in “Oh my God” or “goddamn.” And that’s part of it. We shouldn’t invoke God flippantly. The Jewish tradition of not mentioning God’s name (Tetragrammaton) unnecessarily comes from this.

The second part of both Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11 both say, “for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that take his name in vain.” It is for this reason that some faith traditions don’t take any oaths, less they swear in the Lord’s name or on the Bible in vain. “In vain” here means using the sacredness of the Lord’s name without honor—without seriousness or to commit a falsehood but make others believe you are telling the truth. It’s about disrespecting God.

The catechism says, “Promises made to others in God's name engage the divine honor, fidelity, truthfulness, and authority. They must be respected in justice. To be unfaithful to them is to misuse God's name and in some way to make God out to be a liar” (CCC 2147).

Those that misuse God’s name to mask their political motives as Christianity are using God’s name in vain. They are manipulating people who want to choose the “Christian” candidate. They know they can control masses of people if they wrap anything up in Christian coating. They get worked up over putting “In God We Trust” on license plates and Ten Commandments in court houses but not over school shootings or homelessness or the opioid epidemic.

It’s a cult, but not a Christian one. The dark, twisted part is that they think themselves the “true” Christians, and fight against anyone who challenges their beliefs. Believers know Jesus only as a word, not the Word, an incantation for bringing about their worldly dominion.

In fact, these political, nationalist cults are anti-Christian, teaching the exact opposite of Jesus’ teachings, espousing selfishness, rage, usury, and pride.

When it comes to Christian nationalism, the Christianity only comes first alphabetically.

It may sound like another “they’re not real Christians” complaint. I’m not saying every conservative, “patriotic” Christian isn’t a sincere Christian. But I am saying that those that manipulate Christian language and imagery to appeal to those Christians are using the Lord’s name in vain. And any of us can be susceptible to a wolf in sheep’s clothing. But if the sheep starts howling and eating sheep, it’s time to recognize a wolf. So don’t use the Lord’s name in vain, and be leery of anyone using His name, lest it be in vain.