God Damn it, they're taking the Lord's name in vain.

[JohnnyRingo]

That sin has since long ago been related to common swearing. School age children who dare utter "god damn it" when they fail an exam have been chastised that what they said isn't just rude, it was a deadly sin set forth from the beginning of time to discourage those who would dare curse in public. I see it otherwise.

Taking the phrase literally, "vain" meaning self, to me means taking the Lord's name unto one's self. To clarify, if someone tells people they speak on behalf of the Lord or have intimate knowledge of God's will, they imply that they themselves are on a par with "The Creator", that they have permission to tell people what God wants. In most high profile cases, it turns out that God wants his messenger to gain unspeakable wealth. From the hometown preacher to TV evangelists, these vain purveyors of the word almost always need money- and lots of it- to assure their followers acceptance into the kingdom of heaven. Admitted, many men of the cloth use that money for charitable means.

However...

This latest dickhead who frightened old or otherwise weak minded listeners out of their fortunes to pave their way into the rapture is as vain as they come, and has amassed over $70mil gained by passing on God's word to the meek. He does this by assuming the voice of God as his own and socking away the money that floods in for personal use.

Why does an octogenarian need more money than he possibly has time to spend? Why doesn't he distribute that cash among the starving, ill, and unwashed masses? I believe like most vain people he plans to pass it on as accumulated wealth to ease the lives of heirs for generations to come. He's as much a Christian saviour as the Koch brothers, the Waltons, and Dick Cheney.

It's no wonder those who preach want us to believe "taking the Lord's name in vain" is what we say when we hit our thumb with a hammer instead of a golden parachute of IRAs, CDs, and Blue Chip investments garnered through channeling the Lord's will at the microphone or pulpit.

[KansDem]

1. Don't you mean "They're taking the Lord's name in van?"

Oops!!, gotta make a stop first!