Swearing in Writing

soulwanderer13 · Mar 6, 2017

Okay, this is something that I've been debating with myself about for a while.

As a Christian, you're not supposed to curse and swear, right? You're supposed to have clean thoughts and clean language. And I'm pretty happy to not have gotten into the habit of swearing. But, I really like to write fictional stories. I love coming up with worlds and characters. Sometimes, there are characters that I create that would be the type of person that would swear. Yet, I am very hesitant to use those kinds of words in my writing. It's the characters saying those words, but I still feel like I'm guilty in a way because I am the one thinking those words and writing them down for others to read.

However, at the same time, I create characters that are villains, and do absolutely horrendous things. I am the one thinking up what they do and writing it down for others to read, but I certainly don't think that those kind of actions are good. Or if I create a character that wears inappropriate clothing (by Christian standards) that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and wear those kinds of clothes. Does this logic also apply to having those characters swear? Or is it different.

Love to know what you think

Left · Mar 6, 2017

What's wrong with leaving something to the imagination and just writing, "The person swore."?

One time I was going to make a joke in my writing that involved a bad word. I ended up removing the joke entirely.

soulwanderer13 · Mar 6, 2017

TheoryofForms said:
What's wrong with leaving something to the imagination and just writing, "The person swore."?

One time I was going to make a joke in my writing that involved a bad word. I ended up removing the joke entirely.

That is true. But if a character swore in the middle of a sentence, that wouldn't necessarily work. I'm not trying to say that I WANT to write those kinds of words (I really don't), but I guess I am wondering if not swearing would take away part of the characteristics of a certain type of character.

Ken Rank · Mar 6, 2017

I agree with theory... you can word it so the point is made without sticking the profanity into the mind of the Christian reader.

soulwanderer13 · Mar 6, 2017

Ken Rank said:
I agree with theory... you can word it so the point is made without sticking the profanity into the mind of the Christian reader.

That's very true. I know I always didn't appreciate it when I was reading books in school and those kind of words popped up. Especially when we had to read out loud.

Ken Rank · Mar 6, 2017

soulwanderer13 said:
That's very true. I know I always didn't appreciate it when I was reading books in school and those kind of words popped up. Especially when we had to read out loud.

There is actually a verse that supports this. But it won't be obvious when I share it...

Exodus 23:13 And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.

This is not talking about whether or not we say Molech, or Ba'al, or any other false god we find in Scripture. There are two reasons... the first is, God included those names in Scripture and there is a command to read the Torah (Law) out loud to the people. How can you read it out loud and not say those names when those names are in the bible? So, there has to be another answer and that answer is this... in Hebrew, the word for name (shem) is not dealing with what we call somebody, it is dealing with the name bearer's character, reputation and authority. To proclaim the name of the Lord is not saying His name, it is proclaiming His greatness... that which defines His character and authority or adds to His reputation. To walk in His name is to walk according to His authority or in a manner consistent with His character.

So... not saying the names of the false gods is not refraining from saying Ba'al or Molech, it is refraining from revealing the practices that those "gods" built their character and reputation upon... gained authority over others.

So, if we are speaking in a manner that stands opposed to the character of the true God, then we are taking from His reputation and not only speaking in the character of the false god... we are adding to their reputation by defaming the true God. This not only is speaking their name (shem, character, reputation, authority) it is profaning the true God's name by not speaking in harmony with it.

Sabertooth · Mar 6, 2017

There is blasphemy and there is vulgarity. We have even seen Biblical authors make use of the latter from time to time, so I doubt that God is offended by it like He is with the former. Though vulgarity might be rude, I think you're safe if you don't take God's name in vain.

I came to the same conclusion about writing for fictional villainy, so I have stopped, too. (I don't think the problem is the same for writing about true events, however, because we don't have to devote our imaginations to it.)

AlexDTX · Mar 6, 2017

soulwanderer13 said:
Okay, this is something that I've been debating with myself about for a while.

As a Christian, you're not supposed to curse and swear, right? You're supposed to have clean thoughts and clean language. And I'm pretty happy to not have gotten into the habit of swearing. But, I really like to write fictional stories. I love coming up with worlds and characters. Sometimes, there are characters that I create that would be the type of person that would swear. Yet, I am very hesitant to use those kinds of words in my writing. It's the characters saying those words, but I still feel like I'm guilty in a way because I am the one thinking those words and writing them down for others to read.

However, at the same time, I create characters that are villains, and do absolutely horrendous things. I am the one thinking up what they do and writing it down for others to read, but I certainly don't think that those kind of actions are good. Or if I create a character that wears inappropriate clothing (by Christian standards) that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and wear those kinds of clothes. Does this logic also apply to having those characters swear? Or is it different.

Love to know what you think

While I try not to use profanity, it is a part of the real world. I do not believe the injunction, Let no corrupt communication proceed from your mouth but say that which edifies, is limited to cuss words. For example we are told that the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God, so I would call worldly anger corrupt communication even if there is not cussing. Nor do I think God is as offended as organized religion wants us to think about such words. As a writer, there is a place for adding such words for the impact of the story.

Years ago, when I was a teenager (1960's & 70's), I was part of light show for rock and roll bands in San Francisco. I remember a veteran light show artist tell us that strobe lights were overused. In his opinion, the strobe should flash once then be put away. But the constant strobing is mind numbing. The same could be said for profanity. Once in an appropriate spot brings greater impact than the mind numbing cursing of today's movies and television.

Ultimately, you need to have peace in your own spirit regarding what you write. There is no pleasing everyone, nor can you escape offending someone. If you have peace, then you have the Lord's permission.

ThatRobGuy · Mar 6, 2017

soulwanderer13 said:
As a Christian, you're not supposed to curse and swear, right?

I would ask "why not?"

The idea of "bad words" or "swear words" are a completely made-up concept that have no grounding in any sort of rational thought process.

Why would one word be considered acceptable, yet, another word with the identical meaning be considered taboo?

Left · Mar 6, 2017

I could be way off, but I once read a book called Eragon which had a pretty scary character who didn't cuss. The reason why he was scary and evil was the over the top description of him and the fact he was a Shade (kind of like a poltergeist). The book did an even better job describing it than the movie did.

I would use your own judgement on your writing, though.

Warden_of_the_Storm · Mar 6, 2017

Swearing is something that's a part of life, and virtually everyone has sworn or said vulgar words in their life. There are times when someone yelling an obscenity is the only way for them to vocalize their annoyance or anger.

You do have to remember though: your characters ARE fictional, so to write them doing things that you wouldn't personally do is okay. I've written characters who have no problem shooting innocent people. It doesn't mean that I would do the same thing. But if you are dead-set on not having your characters swear, you can use other alternatives. Have them growl or snarl. Have them clench their fists, curl their lips in annoyance, tighten their eyes in anger. Have them bear their teeth. Heck, even have them just punching some unlucky mook or table can do a good job at non-verbally showing their anger or annoyance at a situation.

Warden_of_the_Storm · Mar 6, 2017

ThatRobGuy said:
I would ask "why not?"

The idea of "bad words" or "swear words" are a completely made-up concept that have no grounding in any sort of rational thought process.

Why would one word be considered acceptable, yet, another word with the identical meaning be considered taboo?

I have to agree with that wholeheartedly.

SnowyMacie · Mar 6, 2017

soulwanderer13 said:
Okay, this is something that I've been debating with myself about for a while.

As a Christian, you're not supposed to curse and swear, right? You're supposed to have clean thoughts and clean language. And I'm pretty happy to not have gotten into the habit of swearing. But, I really like to write fictional stories. I love coming up with worlds and characters. Sometimes, there are characters that I create that would be the type of person that would swear. Yet, I am very hesitant to use those kinds of words in my writing. It's the characters saying those words, but I still feel like I'm guilty in a way because I am the one thinking those words and writing them down for others to read.

However, at the same time, I create characters that are villains, and do absolutely horrendous things. I am the one thinking up what they do and writing it down for others to read, but I certainly don't think that those kind of actions are good. Or if I create a character that wears inappropriate clothing (by Christian standards) that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and wear those kinds of clothes. Does this logic also apply to having those characters swear? Or is it different.

Love to know what you think

The same logic applies. I'm currently in the second draft of a post-apocalyptic novel that has swearing, assault, kidnapping, and killing. For me personally, I want the story to be realistic, if the character would swear, they should swear. Now, you don't have to use swearing. That doesn't mean you have to make characters that would normally swear swear; swearing is filtered out of movies all the time and the same message from the dialogue is still brought across. It greatly depends about who your intended audience is, mine is for not for just Christians, but all everyone (granted, the content of my novel is R).

Paul of Eugene OR · Mar 6, 2017

Its up to you, how your writing goes. You should be able to find a way to remain true to your character as a writer as well as having your story character remain true to his.

"Foul oaths spilled from his mouth as he drew his gun in anger . . . ."

'A spontaneous swear word showed everyone in the room exactly how he felt on learning this piece of news."

EmmaCat · Mar 6, 2017

When I was in school, I wrote a story and made up my own swear words like "rampant rubbish," "self-contained skull," and "uncontrolled emissions."

If you think about it, you'll know exactly what I'm saying there, ha!

soulwanderer13 · Mar 6, 2017

ThatRobGuy said:
I would ask "why not?"

The idea of "bad words" or "swear words" are a completely made-up concept that have no grounding in any sort of rational thought process.

Why would one word be considered acceptable, yet, another word with the identical meaning be considered taboo?

I have wondered the same thing. Like in the Bible when it talks about people being damned, but you can't use that same word in another way. I think it ultimately comes down to context.

soulwanderer13 · Mar 6, 2017

EmmaCat said:
When I was in school, I wrote a story and made up my own swear words like "rampant rubbish," "self-contained skull," and "uncontrolled emissions."

If you think about it, you'll know exactly what I'm saying there, ha!

I thought it was always fun to think of clean words to use in place of expletives. To me, having a funny word used instead is better because it can make others who hear you laugh, and might improve your mood as well. At the same time though, it makes me think that, well, if swear words are bad in this context, and I am just replacing those words with clean ones, but use them in the same context, does it automatically make those words swear words? If that makes sense.

Paul of Eugene OR · Mar 6, 2017

soulwanderer13 said:
I have wondered the same thing. Like in the Bible when it talks about people being damned, but you can't use that same word in another way. I think it ultimately comes down to context.

Swear words are a means of communication like any other. But they have to be agreed upon by the society as swear words otherwise they don't function to communicate their message . . . the message is one is willing to forego the standard rules of morality. Not something I as a Christian wish to communicate.

Dave-W · Mar 7, 2017

soulwanderer13 said:
I thought it was always fun to think of clean words to use in place of expletives. To me, having a funny word used instead is better because it can make others who hear you laugh, and might improve your mood as well. At the same time though, it makes me think that, well, if swear words are bad in this context, and I am just replacing those words with clean ones, but use them in the same context, does it automatically make those words swear words? If that makes sense.

That may not work if your character is one who would be expected to swear a blue streak.

Of course one can always use the 1960s cartoon short hand for swearing:

"!@#@##$$$%%%**%%%" And Don't you forget it!

Another alternative is to use the Prez Nixon short hand for the transcripts of his White House tapes when he swore: [expletive deleted]

Dave-W · Mar 7, 2017

soulwanderer13 said:
I have wondered the same thing. Like in the Bible when it talks about people being damned, but you can't use that same word in another way.

Sounds like a George Carlin stand up routine on words.

Swearing in Writing

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