Thought for the Week
When I was in my 20s, I was proud of my liberated use of profanity. It was what set me apart from the uptight older generation who simply needed to “get over it.” Words were just words, right? Profanity is now more widely accepted than ever. So, why should it matter?
Profanity can be broken into two categories:
- Cursing (cussing, swearing), in the traditional sense, is invoking a curse on someone (“G-d damn you!”) judging them, putting yourself in God’s place. In its casual form, it’s referencing God to “spice up” your language (“Jesus, that’s the coolest g-d damn car I ever saw!”) Why should that be offensive? Because, according to the Old Testament, using God’s name “in vain” (without respect) demeans your Creator.
- Crude Language is not cursing, but rather the evoking of unpleasant or private images. We don’t relieve ourselves or have sex in public, so neither should we evoke verbal images of those things in public, because language is illustrative — we envision the things people talk about. There are shades of grey, of course. “Crap” is somehow less crude, less literal, than its cousin “s—t.” Again, we spice up our language with crudities, and sometimes it’s acceptable. But other times its overkill, like pouring so much Tabasco sauce on your food all you can taste is Tobasco.
But the real issue is respect. The glue of civilization is civility, respect for others, and civility is quickly losing its value. True, liberal youth often display disrespect for others’ sensibilities (just like I did when I was younger); disregarding, for example, the fact that, for many, the f-word evokes the image of a loveless, self-gratifying sex act. Then again, conservative elders elected the foulest-mouthed president in American history eight years ago, and may just do it again. Our society is pierced through with the fault lines of disrespect.
It’s time to rethink not just the words we use, but the attitudes that underpin them. If it’s only others who need to “get over it,” then we’re one step closer to devaluing humanity.
But there is a counterpoint. It’s called grace. I was serving at a church some years back, when a huge construction worker came in, his voice shaking. “Do you have God here?”
“Um, yes.”
“Good. I gotta talk to God right f-ing now!” He proceeded to tell me that he’d been running from God “for a long f-ing time,” until an hour ago when he’d fallen off a five story building — and sprained his finger. He held up the digit. “No more running, man!”
I told him how much “the God of second chances” loved him, and he nodded as tears streamed from his eyes. Then he prayed for the first time in his adult life, inviting God into his heart. It was the most profanity-laced — and also the most beautiful — prayer I’ve ever heard.
We need respect and grace. No other combination…
Can heal our shattered society.
Profanity is that uninvited member of society showing up when least expected. Great reminder of God’s grace, Mitch.
Thanks, Pam.
Thanks Mitch – great thought. Genuinely blessing others gracefully with love and respect is a great alternative to cursing others critically with disdain and unkindness. Perhaps we should be develop our vocabulary of bless words instead of society’s standard swear words….
LOL, you had me chuckling as well as nodding. And, amen.🌷
I agree with you. Regardless of your religious beliefs it is about respect.
I’ve used profanity and used it more liberally than I should, but now I just don’t see a need for it. I do like your story about the profanity-laced prayer. If that was the only way he knew how to pray, then God bless him.
“It’s time to rethink not just the words we use, but the attitudes that underpin them.” Is the reality of it all. I think that the last few elections (including this one) have been of the “Hold your nose and vote for the lesser of two evils.” It would be nice to have a little class.
My English teacher said that profanity is NOT a sign of intelligence.
Actually the taking of YHWH’s name in vain would not use the word “god” with or without the capital “G.” Taking His name in vain is invoking HIS curse on someone He has not cursed, or just pretending to pray when our hearts do not believe He is listening.
As for crude language, we have Paul’s instruction by the Holy Ghost, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
When I taught English and speech, I taught the kids that crude language revealed one or more or the following: ignorance, laziness, disrespect, or carelessness. And is that really the way you want people to see you?
This is an interesting and thoughtful post! The attitude underpinning what we say if definitely key. This made me think about things more deeply. Thanks for sharing!💙
My pleasure, Ada.
Hopefully, they won’t re-elect the foul-mouthed, racist, misogynistic president again. Bad language will be the least of their problems.
God makes himself real, and it doesn’t have to be by our expextations. God will do the work when he is ready to.
Blessings.
Very true, Pete.
Mitch,
Oh how we need the hand of the Lord in every aspect of life. When we feel like cursing or not. In Christ,
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been swearing less, even when I’m angry. I think my age is showing.