Jess, I rather thought of taking God's name in vain was rather like the slogan "In God we trust." I don't think it's so while the US Congress is busy thalking about a new Antibalistic Missle Defence System, aka Starwars.

Another example of taking God's name in vain: when the bailiff says "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" And the person taking the witness stand says, "I do." then lies like a rug without even blushing. Now a truthful person needs no oath to compel him or her to tell the truth, and no oath will prevent a liar from lying. Need an exammple? How about Richard Nixon.
Jim