Change OMG Name

[Poserpanda]

I think it's a good thing that the discussion of rarity has started smaller discussions about naming as well. That's why it seems like a group of people are "suddenly" upset about this acronym. There was a discussion started, and sub-conversations start because of it. If discussion is opened, new topics will arise that are related to that discussion.


While I don't appreciate when people take God's name in vain; which predates the internet, I wouldn't mind seeing this implemented. However, based on how the votes are going, I would think that this is a change that will not come to pass. The acronym is something that became less of a curse word and more of just something that people say, much like LOL or BRB. The etymology of oh my god, is something that I think is interesting for research purposes, but not much else. As it stands, I'm pretty sure it won't change and that CS will keep it on their website. It is offensive, it disrespects God's name, but if you're a follower of Jesus, you know that a non-believer won't understand why that is important. So, I'm sorry, but I highly doubt it will make any changes. We don't have issues, we're not stupid or weird, it just doesn't mesh with our religion. Just like Halloween, or Christmas without Jesus, there are somethings that we cannot change and don't have to be a part of.

I'm really usure if it was ever confirmed if the saying OMG on this site actually means "oh my god", but either way you can simply choose to see it as "oh my gosh" or "oh my goodness"? (please someone correct me if im wrong because I dont have the time to research right now)
This very much is an issue with the minority of people who are in fact advocating for this change, it is an issue with how you perceive the phrasing as it can be ambiguous if you choose to see it that way. I feel theres just a very simple fix of just substituting the word
yet again not being rude, simply stating where I am coming from and my opinion on a solution to the issue.

I think this is a good suggestion, mostly because I don't think any name changes will be made.

[Harbinger.]

No support. As others have said, it can be interpreted two ways; Oh my god, or Oh my goodness/gosh. I personally don't even translate the acronym in my head, and just think of it as "oh em gee." I've talked to others about this in my highly religious community, and not many are offended by people using OMG. But, some can be offended by oh my god, you are right on that. However, the acronym doesn't clarify if it is or not. And, CS is a very inclusive community, respectful of all beliefs and opinions, so I highly doubt that the intended meaning of OMGSR was "Oh my god, so rare." It is up to personal interpretation on what the meaning of OMG is, and even then, religious people always translate it to "oh my gosh/goodness." So, it is not offensive, due to the fact it is how you view it.

[sirenni]

As a believer of god, and please know this is to me personally, I truly don’t see why it’s bad if someone says oh my god. If you feel like it’s offensive, then sure, don’t use it yourself, but you can’t control others speak <3

This is really interesting to me, I have never heard to this be offensive to any kind of religion ;o; but what do I know haha

[/quote]

oh please dont understand me wrong! it was meant for the people who REALLY get offended about that, because for me its like, if they get offended about the omgsr name...then they need to get offended about someone saying oh my god too xD yk?[/quote]

oh no your all good, i wrote it wrong xD "If you feel like it’s offensive, then sure, don’t use it yourself, but you can’t control others speak <3" I meant like towards the people who seem to be getting offended by it, not to you personally or anything, sorry I should have refraced that 😅 I completely agree with what you were saying

[sky,]

It's very interesting that nobody had a problem with this name when it was first implemented. It was never mentioned for more than a decade until just recently that this was an "issue." I understand folks take offense to things others don't, but this is such a miniscule nitpick. If we changed every "problematic" situation, we'd likely have no CS at all.

CS has shown to be extremely embracing of all people. People of faith, gender preferences, identities, etc. To be quite honest, the mere notion of this being a problem is exhausting. Do we really want all of staff's energy being put into making this site "perfect" and "pure" for everybody, instead of improving the site and features as a whole?

Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but folks who are demanding it suddenly be removed because it's "offending" them sounds like an excuse to appear "forward-thinking."

I just want to snag this from the first page because I don't believe it could've been worded any better.

[foxcloud19]

Honestly, I really couldn't care one way or another. I am a Christian myself and do not use the phrase in my day to day life, but I really don't expect those who don't believe in God to follow the same things I do. I also don't have the nostalgic attachment to the name so if it did get changed, I would not care. Personally, I just read it as "oh my gosh." While this site is meant to be kid friendly, it has never been a "Christian" site so I don't think we should be expecting them to change it.

[Lex.]

It's very interesting that nobody had a problem with this name when it was first implemented. It was never mentioned for more than a decade until just recently that this was an "issue." I understand folks take offense to things others don't, but this is such a miniscule nitpick. If we changed every "problematic" situation, we'd likely have no CS at all.

CS has shown to be extremely embracing of all people. People of faith, gender preferences, identities, etc. To be quite honest, the mere notion of this being a problem is exhausting. Do we really want all of staff's energy being put into making this site "perfect" and "pure" for everybody, instead of improving the site and features as a whole?

Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but folks who are demanding it suddenly be removed because it's "offending" them sounds like an excuse to appear "forward-thinking."

Couldn't have said it better myself.
No support for all the reasons already given.
It's not a needed change, and as people have said, if it was something truly 'disrespectful' then those people with those opinions won't be here on CS.
In the real world, Christianity has spread to possibly every nook and cranny that exist on this earth. There are SO MANY different platforms/places that would be better suited for people if they think the term 'omg' is offensive. [CS isn't one of them. It's just a casual pet adoption site/forum website.]
It would be a completely different story if it was something genuinely bad, but nothing should fundamentally change based on the opinion of a group of users. There's a good chance the OMG rarities won't change. So if it truly bothers you this much, then just don't play the game.

For an example, let's say that I hate dairy products. Logically, would it make sense for me to go into an ice cream parlor and demand they change the menu to fit my preference?
That should answer the question.

[AislingNyht]

I think one of the reasons the suggestion got so far on the rarity thread was not just because it's "offensive" but because it sounds childish. Many people take trading and the economy seriously on this site, so having old internet slang interspersed in those discussions is incongruous. I'm not Christian and I don't support it being changed for religious reasons, I support the change because I want to be able to talk about pet rarity without sounding like a preteen from 2010

[clouds-move-on]

For an example, let's say that I hate dairy products. Logically, would it make sense for me to go into an ice cream parlor and demand they change the menu to fit my preference?
That should answer the question.

The problem with this logic is that CS is not thematically themed off of using "OM*".

It was brought into the discussion as other users were already suggesting a complete name change for them. The step of it being offensive to religious people [it is not merely Christians, but also some Jews] is merely one reason in addition to others to remove it. One being that it does just not flow, and a few people also mentioned feeling it felt dated/childish. Thee are all valid points to make and feel, regardless on if they pass or not.

I would not go to an ice cream parlor if I hated icecream. However, if there was a type of meal on, say, a school's menu, that always had icecream in it- if it were subject to a voting change, I would ask for at least the option for it to be without the icecream. Perhaps it is a cake, and I would really like to have the cake, but I cannot stomach the icecream part of it. I am sure this analogy also has flaws, too, but this is the best I can come up with lol.

CS is not a Christian space. It is also not an atheist, Jewish, ect space. It is a neutral ground, that has, as far as I have seen, always tried to respect the various different people and cultures that interact with it. I realize some things are impossible to please everyone, but this something rather small scale. It's not even asking people to refrain from saying OM* in chat. I feel like when a neutral route can be taken, or at least suggested, it can be.

read post here

^^ Good points! I do not care very deeply if they change it or not. I take more issue with the fact people are getting so defensive/almost rude about a part of the site that is so minor. I mentioned on the other thread, I have convictions against celebrating Halloween, but I would not ask for CS to stop doing it's event. The reason why this seems different is that the common and rare categories of this type appear more "commonly" throughout, and are more ingrained, and changing the name would not change very much in the end, other than to make some people more comfortable to trade for these pets.
As it stands, if I get back into trading again, I probably just wont keep OM* so common pets or try to get the rare ones.

[MiaShuji]

I think one of the reasons the suggestion got so far on the rarity thread was not just because it's "offensive" but because it sounds childish. Many people take trading and the economy seriously on this site, so having old internet slang interspersed in those discussions is incongruous. I'm not Christian and I don't support it being changed for religious reasons, I support the change because I want to be able to talk about pet rarity without sounding like a preteen from 2010

well but idk what is wrong with omgsr...nobody writes it out as oh my god so rare...like D: but i get your point i think

[Sixx O'Clock]

I think one of the reasons the suggestion got so far on the rarity thread was not just because it's "offensive" but because it sounds childish. Many people take trading and the economy seriously on this site, so having old internet slang interspersed in those discussions is incongruous. I'm not Christian and I don't support it being changed for religious reasons, I support the change because I want to be able to talk about pet rarity without sounding like a preteen from 2010

I mean this in the kindest way possible; this is a pet site, with silly pets and silly designs, you really shouldn't be taking it so seriously that calling something "omg so rare" ruins the experience for you. You also have to keep in mind that this site has been around since 2008, obviously some things are going to sound dated by virtue of its age. But that's part of the charm, if it bothers you, I'm sure there are other sites that would appeal to you more.