Jesus wept!

[Gromit]

And God almighty!

Were uttered by Jeremy Clarkson in a recent show. This has led to an accusation that the BBC is blasphemous by a vicar.

http://www.telegraph....anguage-says-BBC.html

I am not a christian, so it does not offend me. And I do hear the expressions in everyday speech.

So is it offensive, anti-christian and blasphemous, or is this clergyman over sensitive?

[sandyRoe]

It's a verse from the good book. I suppose context is everything. Anything that **** Clarkson utters could offend me.

[ChuckFickens]

Jesus, some people are touchy.

[naomi24]

The blasphemy law was repealed several years ago. No one has the right to demand that others restrict their freedom of speech in order to accommodate any particular religious foibles or sensibilities – although some think they do – and sadly, they often get away with it. More fool the rest of us!

[kawakiri]

Snails! Clarkson going to get it in the neck again, Gadzooks what are we going to do?

[Gromit]

// Everyone seems to jump on anything that JC says! //

And build a religion around it?

[jomifl]

JC's utterances should be taken no more seriously than those of JC

[bibblebub]

Why do the utterings of these people from cults have to be inflicted on the rest of us? (a religion is just a cult that has persisted for more than a short period of time)

[Brinjal]

If it means nothing why use the expression.

[murraymints]

some folks are just too sensitive..we all know how JC is and what to expect if we switch him on..so don't if you are likely to be offended...

[karajan]

The clergyman been over sensitive imo
JC said it !!! think everyone knows he opens mouth before putting his brain in gear ( and I use the word" Brain "very loosely in JC's case lol )

[woofgang]

As children we used to say it being smart alecs. When pulled up for blasphemy, we could say its not blasphemy, I am quoting the bible. Personally I think that blasphemy is bad manners. Clarkson, however is deffo a smart Alec in my book!

[IggyB]

I doubt the Reverend is actually very offended (or he would spend a rather large amount of his time being shocked and appalled) as these are very common sayings in this country. I think the real point he was trying to make was that the BBC are careful not to offend Islam and that they should also pussy-foot around the Christian god - its a bit feeble minded of him in my opinion as the institution is not here to prompt or decry either of branch of what is probably the same bleeding religion all they are doing is having presenters talk in a culturally normal way for the programmes origin country (if they wanted to apply universally equal standards they would have to adopt all the worlds odd religious foibles / traditions / requirements which would of course only result in madness).

[seadogg]

You are either inhibited about these phrases or not. Clarkson is acting a part IMO and whether you like him or not he amuses many people.

[jno]

IggyB, you think Clarkson will be saying "Allah wept" any time soon? Or that the BBC will defend him if he does?

[DTCwordfan]

Holy Poly Moses.

Ridiculous.

Storm in a Teacup Award 2012 - lead candidate

[FredPuli43]

Using Allah's name is not common speech, jno. And Clarkson is hardly likely to say 'By the beard of the Prophet!', a quaint exclamation which I remember, from my youth, being ascribed to Muslims.Maybe Muslims do blaspheme and did, or do, use the name of Allah or those very words in their own languages. No doubt if they do they give rise to the same debate we are having (or none, where the ultra religious are in power and the religious police are active).
The point is , whatever the religion, is it offensive to a very significant number of people or is it generally accepted as ordinary speech ?

[IggyB]

JNO that was the point I was trying to make - "Allah wept" is not a saying in this country so if clarkson said it they would censor him I would imagine, however if we follow this line of thinking to apply all world religions / cultures ideas of what is unacceptable speech and then translate them into a christian version AND THEN ban that as well the BBC would find it difficult to say anything... and i think that is what this complaint was about e.g. you wouldn't say Allah wept so you shouldn't say Jesus wept - but they can in my opinion obviously not be compared like that

[pdust]

flipping heck if clarkson got banned from saying stuff like that he wouldnt be saying much would he?

fred ive not heard many muslims blashpheming unless they are doing it in a different language that i dont understand, but my husband and his mates sometimes say 'To Kwa' it literally means 'you God', which basically translates to 'for Gods sake' i think.... and something else which means 'you are a pain to God'