Swearing

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

Morning all!

I have a question about swearing. I'm not talking blaspheming, but "small" swear-words...you know, like the "sh" word or something.

Where do you draw the line on these? There are some that are becomming "Acceptable" in today's society and at some places (High stress jobs) you cannot help but curse sometimes...

How do I know when I have sinned with cursing?

Thanks.

Peace in Christ.

 

[Dream]

I know I should be the last one to lecture about this topic, but any of the big four letter words just aren't necessary. I know it can be very difficult to refrain from these, especially when everybody else is saying them, but I just think to myself what would Jesus do? If Jesus were to get frustarated at the office, would He start cussing? Probablly not.

Again, I'm not the guy you should go to for this kind of topic. I'm sure there are much better people here who have self-control.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

Sure, I kinda figured as much, but let me ask this then...

If I refran from using those words, and in stead say "Oh Darnit", or "Shoot"....isn't it the intent behind it...if I only find a verbal substitute for what I'm feeling at that time, does it really matter if I say "shoot", or the real thing?
I suppose I already know the answer to this one too but it's sooo very difficult!

Okay, then, are they venial or mortal....just for future confessionals.

Thanks.

Peace in Christ!

 

[Dream]

Sure, I kinda figured as much, but let me ask this then...

If I refran from using those words, and in stead say "Oh Darnit", or "Shoot"....isn't it the intent behind it...if I only find a verbal substitute for what I'm feeling at that time, does it really matter if I say "shoot", or the real thing?
I suppose I already know the answer to this one too but it's sooo very difficult!

You do know the answer, listen to your soul.

Okay, then, are they venial or mortal....just for future confessionals.

I would have a hard time classifying them as mortal sins, but I've been wrong in many cases. My guess would be excess use of swearing is a mortal sin, but an occasional slip-up every now and then is a venial sin.

 

[epiclesis]

Not only do I consider it wrong, I consider it a lack of vocabulary. It just doesn't sound nice.

I don't cuss at all and I never have, and I hope and pray I never fall into the 'habit'...

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

I don't cuss at all and I never have, and I hope and pray I never fall into the 'habit'...

Not really habbit, more pent up frustration from time to time, but yeah, I'll have to work on it. I suppose it's also a bad "Catholic Examle" to others...
Luckily it's just from time to time, but better to stop it soon, eh?

Thanks guys!

Peace in Christ!

 

[ZooMom]

I rarely swear, and I am uncomfortable around people who do. Now I don't mean knee-jerk swearing (like slamming a finger in the car door and having one slip out before you can think about it :o ) so much as people who can't seem to form one complete sentence without a swear word in it. Let's call it gratutitous swearing. I just think reasonably intelligent people should be able to find a better way to express themselves.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

I rarely swear, and I am uncomfortable around people who do. Now I don't mean knee-jerk swearing (like slamming a finger in the car door and having one slip out before you can think about it :o ) so much as people who can't seem to form one complete sentence without a swear word in it. Let's call it gratutitous swearing. I just think reasonably intelligent people should be able to find a better way to express themselves.

I agree fully, and let me clarify, I am not one of those people, but I guess that I should ALWAYS guard against it and try to refrain from it.

Peace in Christ!

 

[ZooMom]

That's exactly right. And I didn't mean to sound like I thought you were a prolific swearer. Anyway, yes we should be on guard against filthy language. I don't personally consider it a sin so much as just a character flaw, one that certainly can be changed. It's an offensive habit, but I don't know that it carries any type of special connotation in the sin department apart from any other type of habitual offensive behavior.

Anyway, my prayers are with you, that you may find it easier and easier to to guard your speech.

Peace be with you!

Sandy

 

[aReformedPatriot]

very unfitting of a Christian if you ask me. Since we'll give an account of every idle word, let us speak in a manner that is honoring and reflecting of our savior.

 

[Rising_Suns]

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." [Epp 4:29]

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles." [Prov. 21:23]

 

[PastorSherm]

I had a college prof{secular school} say to me one time "That profanity is a sign of a man with a limited vocabulary" Swearing was the easiest thing for me to give up. Of course any parent can tell you that the words sometimes pop out...especially when you discover a matchbox car with your bare feet at three am.

 

[ZooMom]

I had a college prof{secular school} say to me one time "That profanity is a sign of a man with a limited vocabulary" Swearing was the easiest thing for me to give up. Of course any parent can tell you that the words sometimes pop out...especially when you discover a matchbox car with your bare feet at three am.

AMEN!! And a parent can tell you as well that little fish have very big ears and mouths and guarding your speech is essential. Especially when they will repeat what they have heard at the worst possible time to the worst possible person. :o

 

[PastorSherm]

AMEN!! And a parent can tell you as well that little fish have very big ears and mouths and guarding your speech is essential. Especially when they will repeat what they have heard at the worst possible time to the worst possible person. :o

LOL to true

which is why I keep my swearing to after midnight ...when any parent can tell you their children should be asleep.

 

[Wiffey]

I continue to work on my language. I grew up in a family where my mother and grandfather both cursed up a storm (in both English & Spanish), so I picked up some bad habits. Then working as a psych nurse and working Detox...it didn't help, LOL! I am doing a lot better with it now that I don't work in an environment with a lot of cursing going on.

I have always tried to make sure that my daughter was not exposed to bad language and watched myself when she was nearby, but my mother (no matter how I remind her) is constantly slipping and taking the Lord's name in vain around her. Frankly, I find that even more upsetting than the average 4 letter word. Luckily she has not repeated what she has overheard her grandma say.

Cursing is wrong, and it is one of those things that can be a hard habit to break. We are called to do our best, then go to Confession to receive absolution and God's mercy as we repent and seek to serve God.

 

[faerieevaH]

A good tool against that kind of language is ejaculatory prayers: "Sweet Jesus protect me" "Sacred Heart of Jesus, I love You" "Mary, mother of God, pray for me"... work them into your vocabulary... and with lots of work they'll replace prayers.

 

[Irenaeus]

I think that swearing is not only morally unacceptable (as we have seen in the Scriptures, like Colossians 2 or Ephesians 4) but also betrays a certain amount of immaturity and lack of control in the speaker...

We all make mistakes, and I know I have certainly made mine. But I think it's a sin, and if said enough and with malice, it is a grave matter. It is a usurption of the beauty of the truly God given gift of speech.