Profanity

[BecauseofChrist]

May I just make a suggestion to you(because of Christ)?If you love Christ,why would you want to use words the bible objects to?There are people who cannot see that it is wrong for Christians especially,to use offensive language.The men and women who follow Christ,would not dream of offending would-be-followers of our Lord;we have been asked by Him,to tell unbelievers of His great love for everyone.To be told this with even using one +++++word,would be turning people away,rather than witnessing for the Lord.I do not know you,but I am sure you are a very nice person to know.Sincere greetings Emmy.

The Bible never says not say to certain words. It says not to use filthy language, but society has labeled certain words "filthy", not the Bible.

I do agree with you at one point - I do want to keep my witness. But, then you get into trying to not offend anyone and people get offended by stupid, illogical things (like just mentioning a four letter word).

 

[Archivist]

This is a societial issue rather than a religious issue. Prior to the Victorian era the F-word was in common usage and was not seen as vulger. The C-word used in the initial post in this thread was once considered a proper term, and tiolets were once commonly referred to as crappers (see if that get edited) after the man who invented the flush toilet. If I type the word B**** it will get edited in this Forum, however that is the official name for a female dog and, therefore, a proper term. The same applies to the word B******, which is the legal term for a person born out of wedlock. Here in Pennsylvania we recently had a college that had to change its name to Arcadia University because the former name, Beaver College, (seek if that get edited) kept getting blocked by internet software. Likewise, terms that were once considered obscene are now considered commonplace. So using such words that do not take the Lord's name in vain does not violate scripture, but it might still be socially inappropriate.

The fact is that the Bible

 

[artofwar]

Well lets see here.
Words can also be cultural over in Australia things that we dont consider swearing Americans do and vica verca, however I believe if you swear you are cursing the body, I believe a swear word is either a body function or something that has to do about the body if you know what I mean , I believe the things you speak out have great spiritual significance so when you swear you are cursing your own bodie meaning you are cursing the temple of the the Holy spirit, thats my view any way

 

[daidhaid]

I'm swearing right now. I'm so naughty...

 

[revrobor]

If your first language is English (American) there is absolutely no reason to ever use any words considered foul, vulgar or profane. Such words are NOT a sign of maturity but just the opposite and indicate the person using them is ignorant of the language he speaks. There are more than enough words in the language to express yourself in all situations and under all circumstances. Anyone who professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ has a responsibility to refrain frm using improper language.

 

[The Bellman]

If your first language is English (American) there is absolutely no reason to ever use any words considered foul, vulgar or profane. Such words are NOT a sign of maturity but just the opposite and indicate the person using them is ignorant of the language he speaks. There are more than enough words in the language to express yourself in all situations and under all circumstances. Anyone who professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ has a responsibility to refrain frm using improper language.

This post is complete nonsense. There is NO evidence whatsoever that people who use foul language are "ignorant of the language" they speak. Foul language is a part of that language; use of them indicates nothing at all about the user's knowledge, intellect, or linguistic command.

 

[Duggie]

[The Bellman]What words, precisely, does the bible object to? None of the more popular profanities are even mentioned in it - so it obviously doesn't object to them. As for offending people...it's not possible. People take offence, and that's their problem - not mine. If somebody says it offends them to see someone in a green sweater, should we all stop wearing them? Of course not, because that's THEIR problem. Similarly if someone takes offence at profanity - it's THEIR problem, not the speaker's.

Obviously words have powerful effects on people. For example the use of racist language. As a blackman I would be deeply offended if someone used the "N" word in my presence. You state that it's their problem if their offended not yours, with the greatest respect that's an ignorant thing to say. If I were on a train with my eight year old daughter and you were sitting behind me having a conversation with your friends and swearing loud enough for my child to hear I would let you know how "offended" I am by asking you not to swear.

 

[Duggie]

[BecauseofChrist]The Bible never says not say to certain words. It says not to use filthy language, but society has labeled certain words "filthy", not the Bible.

I do agree with you at one point - I do want to keep my witness. But, then you get into trying to not offend anyone and people get offended by stupid, illogical things (like just mentioning a four letter word).

I have been a Christian for a few years now and before I became one I was considered very "worldly". Swearing, as well as many other things, were things I did regularly. When I became a Christian I suddenly stopped swearing. I didn't try to stop or even think about stopping I just did.
Personally speaking I wouldn't feel comfortable swearing in the presence of someone I was trying to reach for Christ.

If you were witnessing to someone would you swear whilst you were doing it?

Would you swear infront of children? If you wouldn't then ask yourself why you wouldn't.

Would you use those words when your praying?

If being offended by the "F" word or the "S" word or any other swear words is just stupid and illogical then using them words in any context shouldn't be a problem for you.

Just because the bible doesn't say we shouldn't use the "F" word does that somehow mean God is ok with us using it? Of course not, people who use the argument "it's doesn't say it in the bible" are trying to justify their actions even though deep down they know it's not what God wants them to be doing. I believe you love God and want to serve Him and I would really encourage you to seek God about this matter.

Jesus accepts you the way you are, but He loves you too much to keep you that way.

 

[Light Without Heat]

I have been thinking about profanity a lot lately. I have searched the forums, but I have found a lot of old threads filled with what seems to me to be illogical posts. I decided to start a new thread to get most of what I am thinking out of the way first, so that I hopefully won't have to deal with a lot of illogical nonsense.

I do not cuss. I have been taught my whole life that cussing is wrong. The American society, in general, says that it is wrong. We can see that in the fact that there are television censors. But, why are certain words wrong to even mention?

A lot of people will say that words have bad meanings, and therefore we must not use them. That is not usually absolute. For example, most people are lax with the word ****. **** means feces, dung, whatever. It is often used to express anger, pain, surprise, etc. It seems to have at least those two meanings, and neither one seem to be bad. We all, as humans, have to use the bathroom to rid ourselves of waste - ****. We all feel anger, pain, etc., and we all have our ways of expressing that. Some people do this by mentioning the word ****. Some people mention a less tolerated word that begins with an S. This "S word" also means feces, dung, etc. Why is considered more wrong? Why do people get upset at even the mentioning of the word when they say that the meaning is what is bad?

Many Christians will quote Bible verses that tell us to rid ourselves of filthy language, not to have evil talk, and to avoid godless chatter. Nowhere in the Bible, however, does it say that certain words are bad. Who said that even the mention of certain words is filthy? It seems to be our culture who is illogically saying that some words are just bad to mention.

I have seen other posts on this site saying things like, "Would you talk to God like that?" and, "Do you feel guilty about using those words?" These are not fair questions for some. I used to feel extremely guilty to even hear certain words. That was so just because my parents taught me that they were wrong. A person who does not know English would not feel guilty about hearing English cuss words. The question about using the words with a conversation with God can be answered the same way - if you were taught that those words were wrong you might feel bad about using them before God. If they are wrong to use, you shouldn't use them before God (we are before God all the time, anyways...but that's beside the point). If they are not wrong, it should not matter if you used them while talking to God.

What do you think? If I have already stated a response to what you are going to say, please do not waste your time unless you are going to add something new. I do not want to go in circles with this.

Thanks.

Just like giving someone your middle finger, they are words/gestures that have originated with no actual bad meaning to them and no Biblical reference, but are taken in society, somewhat, as taboos.

For instance, the "F" word originated from the British police forces writing down, for reasoning in arresting Prostitutes, "for unlawful carnal knowledge."

The "d" word (*amn) is simply meant to be a word of banishment or offputting of place. Such as in the phrase, "*amn you to Hell!", you are asking a parenthetical (God) to *amn the person to Hell, as in banish them there or hold them there. When someone says "*amn" out of upset or anger, they're pretty much saying "God *amn it" parenthetically, as in "God, banish or curse this terrible occurance/situation from me."

Both sh*t and other such words all originated somewhere as words that were acceptable for whatever they meant. Time and linguistic change altered that, though. Take, for instance, "p*ss," in the American language. It is generally thought of as a crude way of referring to the action taken. However, in French, "j'ai besoin p*sser," technically meaning, "I need to p*ss," or use the bathroom, is generally accepted. It's just culture and linguistics; cuss words aren't really bad. It's all about "principle" anymore.

A b*tch is a female dog. A b*stard is a boy who does not have a legitimate father figure. These were common terms in older days, and b*tch is still common amongst dog people; there is nothing vulgar behind them, either.

It's all cultural linguistics. You can cuss if it's how you want to express yourself; there isn't a "curse" behind such words, there is nothing inacceptable or vulgar in them, they've just been brought that way. On the other hand, if they aren't really expressing what you mean when the vulgarity is cast aside, why use them?

 

[Light Without Heat]

Obviously words have powerful effects on people. For example the use of racist language. As a blackman I would be deeply offended if someone used the "N" word in my presence. You state that it's their problem if their offended not yours, with the greatest respect that's an ignorant thing to say. If I were on a train with my eight year old daughter and you were sitting behind me having a conversation with your friends and swearing loud enough for my child to hear I would let you know how "offended" I am by asking you not to swear.

Black people shouldn't be offended by the word n*gger, though I understand why they are.

It's just a southern slur of the word "negro," which in turn came from the French noir, meaning "black."

It was a way of referring to the darker-skinned fellows by whites, universally, throughout slavery. It's kind of like you calling us "whitey" or "milky" or something, which is stupid...

So you shouldn't take offense so much as understand that most people do think it to be an insulting term, though it really isn't. If someone was to say to you, "Hey n*igger," they'd be saying, "Hey person with darker skin," which is like calling someone a "hairer" because they have hair, or something.

So it's stupid. But you can't take offense and say it incites slavery, just because they used it then. Again, it was made into something bad by linguistic misinterpretations.

 

[Duggie]

[Light Without Heat]Black people shouldn't be offended by the word n*gger, though I understand why they are.

It's just a southern slur of the word "negro," which in turn came from the French noir, meaning "black."

It was a way of referring to the darker-skinned fellows by whites, universally, throughout slavery. It's kind of like you calling us "whitey" or "milky" or something, which is stupid...

So you shouldn't take offense so much as understand that most people do think it to be an insulting term, though it really isn't. If someone was to say to you, "Hey n*igger," they'd be saying, "Hey person with darker skin," which is like calling someone a "hairer" because they have hair, or something.

So it's stupid. But you can't take offense and say it incites slavery, just because they used it then. Again, it was made into something bad by linguistic misinterpretations.

Please don't insult my intelligence by suggesting that the "N" word is somehow no more offence than calling someone hairy or fat. The "N" has many connotations associated with it. I do admit that some members of the black community have, inappropriately, embraced the "N" word but the vast majority of us still find it insulting. As far as where the word originated from, that's irrelevant to me the fact is it is used by racists to offend black people and if anyone called out "hey N****r" to me my response wouldn't be pleasant.

 

[Light Without Heat]

Please don't insult my intelligence by suggesting that the "N" word is somehow no more offence than calling someone hairy or fat. The "N" has many connotations associated with it. I do admit that some members of the black community have, inappropriately, embraced the "N" word but the vast majority of us still find it insulting. As far as where the word originated from, that's irrelevant to me the fact is it is used by racists to offend black people and if anyone called out "hey N****r" to me my response wouldn't be pleasant.

I understand perfectly, sir.

I wasn't trying to insult your intelligence. I was simply stating that there is no... uh... what's the term? There is nothing to denote from the word itself, though there are connotations. That's all I was saying.

Still, technically, there is nothing wrong with it. It's you who takes offense, while nothing about it is offending.

 

[Duggie]

[Light Without Heat]

Still, technically, there is nothing wrong with it. It's you who takes offense, while nothing about it is offending.

I know maybe I shouldn't get offended when I hear about black people being hounded out of their workplace by racist colleagues. Maybe I should just ignore the racist chants that football supporters hurl at black players on the pitch.
Maybe those people who have had "N - OUT" daubed across their front doors should ignore it and not be concerned or offended by it. Maybe it's just me, I'm too sensitive and easily offended when I hear about yet another black man being stabbed to death by a group of racist thugs.

You see that word, which according to you has technically nothing wrong with it, may not have any affect upon you, but please believe me when I tell you that in my experience as a black man it has an affect upon me when I hear it.

 

[revrobor]

This post is complete nonsense. There is NO evidence whatsoever that people who use foul language are "ignorant of the language" they speak. Foul language is a part of that language; use of them indicates nothing at all about the user's knowledge, intellect, or linguistic command.

On the contrary. If they know how to use the language they would not have to resort to such words. However, if they DO know the language and still use such words then they apparently suffer from a lack of self-control or consideration for the hearers. The use of such words is just not defensible.

 

[Fiendishjester]

On the contrary. If they know how to use the language they would not have to resort to such words. However, if they DO know the language and still use such words then they apparently suffer from a lack of self-control or consideration for the hearers. The use of such words is just not defensible.

I would still like to hear why the use of certain words is not defensible. People feel that they are offensive because of their own opinions, not based on fact of any kind. The meanings of most of these words certainly are not offensive, either, so I don't see where the outrage comes from. There is no combination of sounds in the world of which the use is inherently not defensible, as you put it.

 

[revrobor]

I would still like to hear why the use of certain words is not defensible. People feel that they are offensive because of their own opinions, not based on fact of any kind. The meanings of most of these words certainly are not offensive, either, so I don't see where the outrage comes from. There is no combination of sounds in the world of which the use is inherently not defensible, as you put it.

So you feel you have a right to use such words regardless of the offensiveness of such words to your fellow man (regardless of the reason he is offended)? In a case like that have you not just compounded the offense by showing a total lack of consideration for the feelings of your fellow man?

IMO the use of such words not only indicates what I have already said but renders nearly invalid whatever is being said by the person using the profanity.

 

[Duggie]

[revrobor]So you feel you have a right to use such words regardless of the offensiveness of such words to your fellow man (regardless of the reason he is offended)? In a case like that have you not just compounded the offense by showing a total lack of consideration for the feelings of your fellow man?

Excellent points, I couldn't agree more. How comforting it is to know that there are still people out there who have no problem with racist name calling

 

[Light Without Heat]

I know maybe I shouldn't get offended when I hear about black people being hounded out of their workplace by racist colleagues. Maybe I should just ignore the racist chants that football supporters hurl at black players on the pitch.
Maybe those people who have had "N - OUT" daubed across their front doors should ignore it and not be concerned or offended by it. Maybe it's just me, I'm too sensitive and easily offended when I hear about yet another black man being stabbed to death by a group of racist thugs.

You see that word, which according to you has technically nothing wrong with it, may not have any affect upon you, but please believe me when I tell you that in my experience as a black man it has an affect upon me when I hear it.

There's a big difference between nothing being wrong with a word and it having an affect on people.

Take if I was to spout "heeb" at a Hebrew person. All I'm really doing is calling them Hebrew, which they are, so where's the insult? But for some reason it carries a negative connotation. I don't know why, it's still just linguistics.

You should be just as offended by a black man being stabbed to death by a group of racist thugs as you are by any person being stabbed to death by a group of anyone. If you're not, that's being racist, bias, and in some ways, discriminative.

 

[artofwar]

So tell me all the people who think swearing is ok would you swear at church? while praying? at your kids?

 

[Light Without Heat]

So tell me all the people who think swearing is ok would you swear at church? while praying? at your kids?

I won't raise my kids swearing. I won't tell them the words are bad, I'll tell them they shouldn't say them because it offends the ignorant.

I don't go to church.

I would swear in prayer if my situation demanded it.