Why do Christians hate swearing in music?

[musicPhan#41]

depends why they're swearing...

example of good use of swearing: incubus - the warmth. i cannot think of a better way to put it then the way they say it... sure they could say "mucked up"... but it really doesn't convey the emotion...

example of bad use of swearing: bands like limp bizkit... they swear for "shock value". all they do is make themselves sound unintelligent...

i've always thought the warmth was a good example of a good use of the F word.


and blackwasp... smoking is cool??


yeah, and so are wifebeaters, overalls, and living in a trailer.

 

[Saruman]

i think of it this way.......would you swear in front of God/Jesus? If not, you shouldnt support or connect yourself to that kind of music.

 

[WhenFinallySetFree777]

I tried to tell a very close Christian friend of mine once that really, cussing isn't that big of a deal (she just kept on saying "just don't cuss!" - you may as well tell anyone "just don't sin!" like it's that easy). I don't encourage it - of course not - but someone isn't an awful person for using what we consider a "swear word". I agree that certain words in themselves cannot be sins. As has been said, there can be places and times for it, although it is generally not edifying. However, if I am around Christians that know I am Christian and that I don't walk around liberally using every term in the book, I do occasionally cuss, for whatever reason within the context of the conversation.

 

[musicPhan#41]

i think of it this way.......would you swear in front of God/Jesus? If not, you shouldnt support or connect yourself to that kind of music.

if using the word conveyed my feelings in the best way, of course i'd use it. jesus said many things that were considered "bad". look at some of the things he called the pharisees.


so yes.

 

[jarshwoo]

People are right in that you aren't a bad person for swearing. God knows what is really in your heart but it doesn't show a good example. It grieves the spirit of Jesus for he did not swear. Jesus did accuse the Pharisees in John chapter 8 but the Pharisees wanted the praise of men instead of realizing that they were just religious leaders.

In Romans 12:3 Paul speaking By the grace given me I say to everyone of you Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement according to the measure of faith God has given you. The Pharisees thought that they were above everyone else and that they should have the praise of men. In Romans 2:11 it says God does not show favortism and in James 2 it talks about favortism is forbiden amongst believers. The Pharises favored one another above people of lesser rank in the social class of the time. Jesus accused them of not being Gods children but the children of Satan. The Pharises were so stubborn and set in their ways that they didn't listen to the truth of Jesus and were just tools of instrument for the devil. Jesus still loved them but he had to set them straight. Just because he didn't sugarcoat his verbal correction of them doesn't mean we can interpret it as a verbal attack. Remember Jesus never sinned and his way of convicting others of their sins was done in a good, pleasing, perfect manor.

We can't take scripture and put are own twist on it to make it justify are opinion. I used to be guilty of this but now that I know the truth the truth has set me free.

 

[Qyöt27]

It depends on what you mean by "swearing". If you're simply talking about language others deem offensive, it would only be a sin if you used that kind of language around them, not that you use it at all. Intent, of course, does play into it, and there are circumstances that private usage of such words could be considered vile, but that would be left to the individual's intent on using said language.

Overall, however, the words are not sinful, and even just the usage of them isn't necessarily sinful, although it can be. Most of the words we consider to be "swearing" had much different usages years ago, but due to being 'misused' (this is in the eye of the beholder, though) or connected with a certain group of people (typically uneducated or otherwise undesirable company), the words became offensive.

It's entirely subjective. The verses in the Bible condemn offensive language, which is not some objective list of words that are always forbidden, and for that matter, depends entirely on the culture itself. There are words in other languages which, when translated to English, would necessitate using a "cuss" word, due to the severity of the concept being expressed. However, in whichever language it came from, it isn't offensive, it's just a superlative.

I mean, if the words we consider offensive nowadays were rendered inoffensive, there would be a new set of words which would be considered "cussing".

So in short, it depends on the people around you, and it depends on your intent on using it (if you are the one using it). As has been pointed out though, sometimes the context of using such words is what makes them appropriate, for that particular situation.



As for me, I generally don't use the standard seven or their variants, along with a couple of indecent sexual references. If the situation warrants it, I will quote verbatim (with the exception of one variant in particular), but I very rarely use those words of my own volition. I don't generally get offended by them, though (unless it's excessive or completely insulting). I just prefer to use other language.

 

[theFijian]

Why do Christians hate swearing in music?

Maybe it's because some Christians find it offensive. What's the big deal here anyway? Why do some people expect everyone to like/dislike the same things as themselves? I couldn't care less if nobody on here liked the music I listen to, I'd be surprised but I still couldn't care less at the end of the day.

But to address the OP, personally speaking I find the use of repetitive, gratuitous swearing to merely betray a lack of lyrical inventiveness. But I wouldn't even hold to that as a hard and fast rule.

 

[philN]

i think of it this way.......would you swear in front of God/Jesus? If not, you shouldnt support or connect yourself to that kind of music.

What makes you think Jesus wouldn't swear? Because he was afraid of saying what was inappropriate to society? Please. He said some very controversial things. Was he wrong to do that?

Also, Paul uses the Grecian equivalent of [edited] in Philippians. I'm sure that might have been offensive to some people at the time.

I think the distinction to make is that words are only words. They do not have a moral value. But they can be used in the wrong way. Jesus and Paul were probably very careful about what they said--more careful than many of us are. That said, words are a gift from God as a means of communicating thoughts and ideas. There is nothing wrong with listening to words and nothing wrong with saying words unless you are using them in the wrong way. A chair is a chair. But I can beat someone with it if I am angry. The beating is the sin, not the chair. It's the same way with language.

 

[philN]

I should note: too much swearing does imply ignorance, so be careful how you use language. God has given us a wide spectrum of words to use and there are many ways that we can use them to express ourselves.

 

[kelsey2008]

I view it this way:
I don't think that cussing (as the the words themselves) are evil, but the message that they send is. We as Christians are called to use our lives and the way we live as our greatest witnessing tool. If the entire world that we are suppose witnessing to views curse words as wrong, then how can we use them and effectively use our lives as a witnessing tool. All I'm saying is that curse words are looked down upon in modern society...there's no changing that. And if we as Christians choose to use them, then people in modern society will view us exactly the same as if we weren't Christians. That is why I choose not to use them. Not because I think the word itself is bad. But I don't want people who I try to witness to, to look at me and say, "She cusses. Why should I be a Christian if Christians act exactly the same as everyone else?".

 

[philN]

well, is it so bad for people to realize that Christianity really isn't all about rules? Everyone assumes that you become a christian and you can no longer say these words, listen to this music, read this book. I think that people can better understand all of the above more when they have a relationship with God. Christianity is about wisdom, not rules. That is something that most people do not understand.

Also, why is it that Christians don't want to send the wrong message through their language, but they are willing to put out [bad] music that is shallow, derivative, and contrived. I know alot of people who are turned off to Christianity because of the sub-culture that it sets itself up in. If people are so worried about how people on the outside are viewing them based on language, you would think they would feel the same way with music, literature, art, et cetera.

I'm not disagreeing with you per se, so much as taking what you said and going off on a tangent with it.

 

[kelsey2008]

Christians are willing to put out [bad] music that is ahllow, derivative, and contrived, eh? Enlighten me...

 

[jarshwoo]

Cursing doesn't just apply to "cuss" words. If someone told someone to drop dead they would be cursing them. Telling someone to drop dead is a deragatory comment made to hurt that persons feelings. I am sure someone will say I didn't mean that I wanted them to really die but I was angry with them. If we curse out of anger then we are sinning. If we are that mad at someone we should say have a nice day and move along. Letting emotions build up and then exploding in rage is something inspired by the devil.

What if someone said I hate you. Hate is a very negative word and this is considered cursing. You are cursing someone when we are mean to them. Is meaness a fruit of the Spirit? I think not.

Does anyone know what curse or cursing means?

Cursing- to pronounce a sentence; a condemnation or judgment

Condemnation- to declare guilty; conviction of guilt; censure

Judgment- to pass sentence upon; condemn; to act or decide as a judge; to form a negative opinion about someone

When we curse as Christians we are judging others for they conflict with our opinion or beleif and we are condemning ourselves. Also we are hurting someone's feelings and sending the wrong message. Someone said Christ said some controversial things in his day. Remember he never sinned, he was sinless so whatever he said was justified by his father who sent him. We can't twist the truth with our opinion to make a reason so that we can justify cursing.

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brothers way. We need to be strong in faith and sensitive to others needs. We are all strong in some areas and weak in others and we need to monitor are behavior on others. If cursing bothers a fellow brother in Christ and we continue to do so we are affecting his walk, grieving the spirit and condemning ourselves.

Matthew 12:34-36 you brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of your heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be aquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

I am not saying that any of you are evil but when we curse we present an evil image to others and they will take it as malicious. If we continue to fill our hearts with evil curse words we will continue to curse. We have to let go of cursing and develop a Christ-Like language. No more verbal attacks or detrimental words to cut others down.
I used to curse as a Christian but now that I know that it is wrong and a sin I have been set free from the bondage that it once held me in.

Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; Bless and do not CURSE.

Remember Satan is the Father of all Lies and he wants to decieve us Christians to think that cursing is an acceptible practice and that it isn't bad. There is no need for us to continue trying to justify why cursing is acceptable as a Christian.

Think about the truth of scripture and not my opinion. It is the truth that will set us free from this sin.

 

[philN]

Christians are willing to put out [bad] music that is ahllow, derivative, and contrived, eh? Enlighten me...

Are you serious?

I thought this was common knowledge. Have you listened to the stuff?

Today if you walk into a music store there is a "christian" section. This is where people who think that Satan controls secular music buy their music. Not only that, but there are websites and magazines devoted to telling you what the christian alternatives to secular bands are. This is about as derivative and contrived as you can get. Feeding off of the success of mainstream musicians by creating bland and mediocre Christian alternatives that have a forced gospel message (that's the shallow part) in the lyrics. It is why people don't take christians seriously, we have trivialized the gospel and God's gift of art.

God created one world. He didn't create a christian world and a secular world. If a christian has a gift in music they should use their gift by being creative and original (after all they are representing THE creator). But most Christians don't create art for arts sake. They are too busy worrying about how they can "win souls" by mimicking whatever bands people are listening to at the time.

There are a few exceptions. But for the most part, Christian music (and the same goes for literature and art too) is weak. I think the fact that we represent God and don't understand his gift of art is a greater turn-off to non-christians than people who throw around "inappropriate language" on occasion.

 

[Nienor]

Christians are willing to put out [bad] music that is ahllow, derivative, and contrived, eh? Enlighten me...

i have only been able to find one Christian band that i really enjoy listening too. Believe me, i've searched. They just are too few and far between. IMO, the main problem is that they are to afraid to experiment.

 

[blackwasp]

and blackwasp... smoking is cool??

Heck yes it is. (censored because I don't care for swearing. )

yeah, and so are wifebeaters, overalls, and living in a trailer.

Some people can pull off wife-beaters (I'm more of a pocket-T guy); some people can pull off overalls (I'm more of a boot cut guy); some people can pull off trailers (I'm more of an apartment guy). Oh yeah, and what's wrong with people living in trailers?

 

[MoreInSorrow]

Are you serious?

I thought this was common knowledge. Have you listened to the stuff?

Today if you walk into a music store there is a "christian" section. This is where people who think that Satan controls secular music buy their music. Not only that, but there are websites and magazines devoted to telling you what the christian alternatives to secular bands are. This is about as derivative and contrived as you can get. Feeding off of the success of mainstream musicians by creating bland and mediocre Christian alternatives that have a forced gospel message (that's the shallow part) in the lyrics. It is why people don't take christians seriously, we have trivialized the gospel and God's gift of art.

God created one world. He didn't create a christian world and a secular world. If a christian has a gift in music they should use their gift by being creative and original (after all they are representing THE creator). But most Christians don't create art for arts sake. They are too busy worrying about how they can "win souls" by mimicking whatever bands people are listening to at the time.

There are a few exceptions. But for the most part, Christian music (and the same goes for literature and art too) is weak. I think the fact that we represent God and don't understand his gift of art is a greater turn-off to non-christians than people who throw around "inappropriate language" on occasion.

I agree with all of this. Good post.

 

[drew.dominguez]

Cussing is either a grey area or a No for christians. But I listen to st*ff with swearing/cu**ing.

 

[ladyerica]

What makes you think Jesus wouldn't swear? Because he was afraid of saying what was inappropriate to society? Please. He said some very controversial things. Was he wrong to do that?

Also, Paul uses the Grecian equivalent of [edited] in Philippians. I'm sure that might have been offensive to some people at the time.

I think the distinction to make is that words are only words. They do not have a moral value. But they can be used in the wrong way. Jesus and Paul were probably very careful about what they said--more careful than many of us are. That said, words are a gift from God as a means of communicating thoughts and ideas. There is nothing wrong with listening to words and nothing wrong with saying words unless you are using them in the wrong way. A chair is a chair. But I can beat someone with it if I am angry. The beating is the sin, not the chair. It's the same way with language.

I think you have a point with words being words and it is only how they are perceived that is offensive to society; however, that can't be applied to swering in music because when people swear in music, they are using the words to mean how society percieves them. If they were using the word [edited] to mean the original meaning, a female dog, I could understand you using that excuse. However, they are using that word to be a mean desription of a person. Do you understand what I am saying?

 

[blackwasp]

Making my way across the Pacific Ocean. See? My flag is the South Korean flag instead of the Canadian one now!

Very cool.

You can read about it here. If you disagree with drinking beer, then this site will offend you. If it does, then you probably deserve to be offended.

Hey, Jesus drank.