It just occurred to me that this website has a language censor on it and examples of profanity will not be allowed, so it might be tough to identify which cuss words when we want to use them as examples. Look what happens when I use the word **** or the word ****. This might be an indicator of what is and is not socially accepted language but it can be confusing, too. For example, **** is a perfectly acceptable theological and biblical word but when used in a social medium is considered profanity. **** and **** are other examples.
If I use the KJV word ****, which was perfectly acceptable in 1611, in a church service I will be told that I cannot use that kind of language in church but what would happen if I read 2 Kings 18.27 KJV or Isaiah 36.12 KJV from the pulpit? Of course it would never happen (so much for speaking as the Bible speaks!) Could it ever happen? (In fact, I have a list more than a dozen scriptures I call Sermons you will never hear at church that cannot be read in a conservative church meeting because of modern legalistic taboos on language that are more culturally outlawed than scripturally forbidden.)
Our church is filled with new converts (for which I am eternally grateful). Some are alcohol and substance abusers in rehab (AA), some have never been to church in their adult life, and some are just social misfits. Occasionally, a spiritually taboo word will leak out. One guy leaving an especially meaningful church service, remarked, Man, that service blessed my *** off! When I heard that, I got a kick out of it, but when I told it to a straight-laced colleague from another church, he was shocked and found it offensive and felt that someone should have used the opportunity to sanitize the language of the new Christian and teach him some lessons in Christianese. You would never hear a word like that in our church, he proudly told me. I did not say it, but I thought that he might have found a clue as to why his church is shunned by unchurched people and why they have not had a known convert in years.
Sometimes I wonder if we are trying to be holier than God or, like the Pharisees in Matt. 23.1-5, setting the bar too high. Matt.23.1-5: Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see.
I have often wondered how Jesus would react to people who use colorful language. What do you think?
What does the Bible say about profanity?
I would like to open a dialog to hear your views on this. More importantly, of course, I would like to know what scriptures you have to support your views. IOW, I am not interested in just your opinions, experiences, or personal beliefs only, although I welcome them with scripture?
What exactly is profanity? Is it a cultural or biblical taboo? Is it sinful to curse? If so, why?
Jim
\o/
If I use the KJV word ****, which was perfectly acceptable in 1611, in a church service I will be told that I cannot use that kind of language in church but what would happen if I read 2 Kings 18.27 KJV or Isaiah 36.12 KJV from the pulpit? Of course it would never happen (so much for speaking as the Bible speaks!) Could it ever happen? (In fact, I have a list more than a dozen scriptures I call Sermons you will never hear at church that cannot be read in a conservative church meeting because of modern legalistic taboos on language that are more culturally outlawed than scripturally forbidden.)
Our church is filled with new converts (for which I am eternally grateful). Some are alcohol and substance abusers in rehab (AA), some have never been to church in their adult life, and some are just social misfits. Occasionally, a spiritually taboo word will leak out. One guy leaving an especially meaningful church service, remarked, Man, that service blessed my *** off! When I heard that, I got a kick out of it, but when I told it to a straight-laced colleague from another church, he was shocked and found it offensive and felt that someone should have used the opportunity to sanitize the language of the new Christian and teach him some lessons in Christianese. You would never hear a word like that in our church, he proudly told me. I did not say it, but I thought that he might have found a clue as to why his church is shunned by unchurched people and why they have not had a known convert in years.
Sometimes I wonder if we are trying to be holier than God or, like the Pharisees in Matt. 23.1-5, setting the bar too high. Matt.23.1-5: Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see.
I have often wondered how Jesus would react to people who use colorful language. What do you think?
What does the Bible say about profanity?
I would like to open a dialog to hear your views on this. More importantly, of course, I would like to know what scriptures you have to support your views. IOW, I am not interested in just your opinions, experiences, or personal beliefs only, although I welcome them with scripture?
What exactly is profanity? Is it a cultural or biblical taboo? Is it sinful to curse? If so, why?
Jim
\o/
I don't think it totally has to do with "bad words"
