Why exactly is profanity sinful?

[Sammy-San]

Actually it is condemning someone, regardless of how polite (or not) the language is.

What if somebody's actions were very bad?

 

[Dave-W]

Making vulgar, guttural references to human sexuality, anatomical parts and biological functions.

Here "vulgar" is in the eye of the beholder. Indeed, the word at its basis only means used by the general population.

The Bible translation known as the "Latin Vulgate" used Vulgar Latin - that which was in common street talk in the 3rd and 4th centuries. The King James translation was rejected for years by the proper Church of England clergy as being too "vulgar." (common street talk)

It is only in the 19th-20th centuries that "vulgar" became equated with obscene.

By making that statement, the author could even render clinical descriptions as vulgar.

On a forum I used to be on, one woman (baptist pastor's wife) about my age said the worst beating she got as a young child was when she asked her mom "What is a virgin?" Mom told dad. Dad beat her with a belt. After the beating he asked where she heard such a vulgar, dirty word. She answered: "Round yon virgin, mother and child..."

 

[Dave-W]

What if somebody's actions were very bad?

Then you can call on them to repent. That is not condemning them.

 

[Sammy-San]

Then you can call on them to repent. That is not condemning them.

What if you're talking about really bad people? Not insulting, but referring to them.

 

[Dave-W]

What if you're talking about really bad people? Not insulting, but referring to them.

Its all in how you say it. Kinda like the rules here on ad-hominem attacks. You can say all kinds of bad things about their actions, but not them personally.

 

[Sammy-San]

Its all in how you say it. Kinda like the rules here on ad-hominem attacks. You can say all kinds of bad things about their actions, but not them personally.

So if somebody says (celebrity name) is a disgusting person, is that wrong?

 

[Dave-W]

So if somebody says (celebrity name) is a disgusting person, is that wrong?

In general - yes.

 

[Sammy-San]

Here "vulgar" is in the eye of the beholder. Indeed, the word at its basis only means used by the general population.

The Bible translation known as the "Latin Vulgate" used Vulgar Latin - that which was in common street talk in the 3rd and 4th centuries. The King James translation was rejected for years by the proper Church of England clergy as being too "vulgar." (common street talk)

It is only in the 19th-20th centuries that "vulgar" became equated with obscene.

By making that statement, the author could even render clinical descriptions as vulgar.

On a forum I used to be on, one woman (baptist pastor's wife) about my age said the worst beating she got as a young child was when she asked her mom "What is a virgin?" Mom told dad. Dad beat her with a belt. After the beating he asked where she heard such a vulgar, dirty word. She answered: "Round yon virgin, mother and child..."

Proper terminology is also used by the general population.

 

[tansy]

Currently, the most insulting way of adressing someone in japanese (kisama) can be literally translated as "precious sir".

There is a lesson somewhere in there.

Interesting. Thing is, one can be insulting just by tone of voice, or the way something's presented...your example must be similar, an ironic insult.
Personally, I hate it when anyone calls someone a [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse], cow, pig or anything like that, even casually without meaning much. I know someone who has a cat, and sometimes it'll make a mess on the floor. She'll say 'look at what the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] has done'. So, I point out, rather pedantically, that she's a cat, not a female dog.
Having said that, there is a friend of my daughter's who quite often will say 'you [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]', but rather weirdly, I don't take offense at it, because I absolutely know she's not meaning it in any bad way at all. It is absolutely a word she's using in complete jest (though I'm sure she uses it sometimes with certain people, as an insult).
The reason, I think that I hate the use of those sorts of words againsy anyone is because it is demeaning, insulting and disrespectful.
Which brings me to another point. Profane presumably is something that's not sacred. Would you say, perhaps, that human beings are sacred to God? I don't know. But, if so, should one insult them in any way?
I differentiate between what might be called 'vulgar' language and what is 'swearing'. People often say to someone 'don't swear'. But to me, it's very often vulgar or inappropriate language, as opposed to swearing. Swearing, I always think (though I may be wrong) is when you say 'By...whatever....I'll...whatever. So if you are using words, or possibly even contractions, or words that have been changed from the original, such as 'blimey' or 'crikey' (which admittedly are rather old-fashioned now) which meant something like 'by Christ', I believe, I think this sort of thing, would be swearing. And not good.
But that's just the way I look at it.

 

[Sammy-San]

Interesting. Thing is, one can be insulting just by tone of voice, or the way something's presented...your example must be similar, an ironic insult.
Personally, I hate it when anyone calls someone a [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse], cow, pig or anything like that, even casually without meaning much. I know someone who has a cat, and sometimes it'll make a mess on the floor. She'll say 'look at what the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] has done'. So, I point out, rather pedantically, that she's a cat, not a female dog.
Having said that, there is a friend of my daughter's who quite often will say 'you [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]', but rather weirdly, I don't take offense at it, because I absolutely know she's not meaning it in any bad way at all. It is absolutely a word she's using in complete jest (though I'm sure she uses it sometimes with certain people, as an insult).
The reason, I think that I hate the use of those sorts of words againsy anyone is because it is demeaning, insulting and disrespectful.
Which brings me to another point. Profane presumably is something that's not sacred. Would you say, perhaps, that human beings are sacred to God? I don't know. But, if so, should one insult them in any way?
I differentiate between what might be called 'vulgar' language and what is 'swearing'. People often say to someone 'don't swear'. But to me, it's very often vulgar or inappropriate language, as opposed to swearing. Swearing, I always think (though I may be wrong) is when you say 'By...whatever....I'll...whatever. So if you are using words, or possibly even contractions, or words that have been changed from the original, such as 'blimey' or 'crikey' (which admittedly are rather old-fashioned now) which meant something like 'by Christ', I believe, I think this sort of thing, would be swearing. And not good.
But that's just the way I look at it.

Do you believe there's a difference between a person using a proper and improper word?

 

[Sammy-San]

[staff edited]

Do you think if proper terms were used in the same context, it would be as wrong or people would view it the same?

 

[Kiterius]

Do you think if proper terms were used in the same context, it would be as wrong or people would view it the same?

What people? Where are they? Do I know them?

 

[Sammy-San]

What people? Where are they? Do I know them?

I'm referring to anyone.

 

[Kiterius]

I'm referring to anyone.

Can't answer if I don't even know them.

 

[Sammy-San]

Can't answer if I don't even know them.

I'm confused.

 

[tansy]

Do you believe there's a difference between a person using a proper and improper word?

Sorry, not quite understanding your question?

 

[CrystalDragon]

The sin is in the offense. Intentionally using a word or phrase or term that you know is going to offend another person (or God), is where the "wrong" comes into play. We're supposed to remain sensitive to both our own conscience, and the consideration of those around us. Using profanity, especially on a frequent, casual basis, dulls and desensitizes us to what's appropriate and considerate. This is where you wind up with threads like this, where people have become so numb to the effects of cursing that they're oblivious to how it may affect other people.

That's reasonable, but what about using profanity as an almost involuntary exclamation, like "Oh s*** this isn't good!" I don't use those words anyway, but I'm curious.

 

[Sammy-San]

Sorry, not quite understanding your question?

Do you think improper words are offensive for a reason or its just people's feelings?

Is Cursing a Sin? What the Bible Says About Profanity

Making vulgar, guttural references to human sexuality, anatomical parts and biological functions.

God says cursing is wrong because it destroys the sacredness of the human body.

 

[tansy]

I just read the link you posted, and yes, those scriptures quoted do give reasons for some words being offensive. I have to admit I have on occasion used the word 's...t' when I have fallen off my pushbike or cut myself accidentally with a knife and am in great pain and am in shock whilst figuring out how badly I've hurt myself and if I may die or if I require an ambulance. I'm not sure that that is so bad, after all, metaphorically one could say that 'I'm (at least potentially) 'in the s...t'. However, under normal circumstances I avoid any what might be called profane or vulgar language. I don't say things like 'F...g h..l'. To me that denotes nothing at all and seems highly improper. Of course, so many people use all sorts of 'bad' language nowadays, from the moment they can speak, they don't know any different...they don't even know what it means. Somewhere on CF ages ago, someone who taught in an infant school I think it was, said she'd called the children little 'buggers'. I said, do you know what that word means, and she said no. Most people probably wouldn't see that word as being offensive, but I do because of its meaning. Someone else I know was saying to my husband recently that she wished he wouldn't use the word 'wench'. We couldn't understand why, so she told us. We'd only known the meaning 'a young gir' or 'servant', but it also had the meaning 'prostitute' or'promiscuous woman', which prior to that we hadn't known.
So I think in answer to your question, I think it can be both, plus I don't think one should insult, demean or diminish other people by saying horrible things to them, even if they are your worst enemy and even if they use language like that to you. I believe that that also diminishes oneself. And as God created us, loves us and dignifies us, I think we should try at least to do the same to others. Doing otherwise is a slight to God.

 

[Zurückschlagen]

Profanity is just manmade words-syllables. Curse words are only considered "wrong" just because they are offensive, based on arbitrary society and cultural standards.

I am not trying to justify profanity use. I know it's wrong. But what exactly, from a biblical perspective, makes it wrong? I don't understand the exact, specific reasons why it's wrong.

I’m not sure why it’s wrong from a biblical perspective, but I’m sure it is wrong and there is a reasonable explanation. Some folks with knowledge, come alone and engage in this, please.

From a moral standpoint, it’s pretty bad. I had a bad habit swearing a lot, using the f-word, and I still do it, but so rarely. In my 500 and so posts, I used a forbidden word just once and it auto-corrected me with the bless and do not curse message.

I think the proper way for a Gentleman to insult is via irony, or better - sarcasm. Sarcasm is so penetrating if used properly. I use it only in rare cases, against very aggressive fools. They often don’t realize the insult, which makes it even funnier for me, and more humiliating for them, as other people read and understand it.

Profanity for me is informal. Informal is bad. Informal is the way American rednecks in the South speak. Imagine this, a Hillbilly pulling out cotton and chewing tobacco, then spitting on his old worn boots. That’s what comes up my mind when I hear profanity or vulgarism.

My mother, grandfather, old friends and ex-girlfriend were so vulgar, they cussed a lot. Maybe that’s the true reason I really hate this way of speaking.