Cursing Christians: Finding the Line

I haven’t responded to you before, but I thought I should respond to this post. I totally understand where you are coming from! As a christian in today’s culture, holding to certain beliefs, the “Grey” areas, becomes difficult! This subject in particular is one I have run across in my life.

I am a Graphic Arts and Game Designer. I work in a field of the media that is full of “Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n Roll.” and dispenses it liberally. The use of profanity is used as a literary tool to paint characters as ‘Gritty and Real.’ But it doesn’t change the reality of what is said. It simply changes the “light” behind the words.

A word is used that has a lot of meaning, but if you use the word too much, it loses its power. The same power can come across with less offensive words. Using your example: Running through the Forest, and Running through the F***ing Forest. It’s like the film, Snakes on a Plane, where an infamous quote has plastered chat boards. “M**F** Snakes on this M**F** Plane!” The word becomes meaningless.

The reason such speech is so evocative is two fold. First, these words are spoken when the brain cannot come up with another, more precise word, usually because the sheer emotions – and chemical imbalances in the brain due to such – are clouding the reasoning portion of the brain. You just can’t come up with a better, more descriptive verbiage because the M**F** Snakes on the M**F** Plane just make you so mad!!!! Second, they are profanity, or rather, words that bring very mundane substances into the light with the most powerful word possible, or they bring sacred or private things into mundane conversation, such as Lovemaking or the Lord’s Name. The mere mention of these words/subjects brings a level of shock to the audience – which is the same reason bathroom humor isn’t just an elementary-school fad, and the reason Pornography is so prevalent. The Shock factor induces a rush, along with the other emotions and reactions elicited by the act or speech.

I have had terrible language in the past. I didn’t understand why I should change my words, because language is communication. The word is evocative, and is the word I need to use for the response I want, and to convey how I feel. I learned, though, that the Spirit of the Lord does not reside in unholy temples. When I was swearing more often, I felt less and less in tune with the spirit, and had less guidance in my dealings.

The word Profanity is two parts. One is Pro, which in this case means “In front of” and the second is Fanum which means “Temple or Sanctum” Meaning to speak of holy or sacred things outside the walls of the temple. Christ did live among the lowly. He loves everyone, and he’s suffered and experienced everything on the cross. There is nothing you can do or dream of he’s not experienced. However, one thing he said was “Throwing pearls before swine.” He did not speak directly about holy things to those he taught because they were not ready for the pearls. He taught in Parables and in Metaphor. Those around him that swore and ‘profaned’ were not worthy nor ready for the deeper, more sacred parts of the gospel. We read the most direct portions of the New Testament as his instructions to his apostles, and not to the multitudes. The word Profanity has been adapted to mean anything taboo, but the same principles apply.

I have a thesaurus handy every time I write now, so that if the word I want to use doesn’t sit right with me, I can pick out of the millions of other words that have scarcely seen the light of day.

I didn’t even notice that word in your Tuesday post, so clearly I’m a lost soul…
Like you, I’m not sure how I feel about cursing. A few years ago I did some acting and I always wondered how I would react if I got very “colorful” lines. (I never did, though) I don’t like cursing when I speak, but I have slipped in a curse word or two in my own writing, because that’s the word that character would use. It’s a tricky subject…

Cursing hardly bothers me, but I refrain from using swearwords because many people are offended by them. Is it morally wrong to use swearwords? Probably not. Is it morally wrong to be insensitive? I believe so.

When I write fiction, I’m obliged to come up with creative alternatives to cursing. (After all, my mum reads most of what I write!) I use dated British idioms a lot. (Besides not being offensive, they’re kinda awesome.) Replacing swearwords with [unprintable] is another useful alternative; I seem to remember Hemingway doing something similar.

Personally I don’t think you need to curse to get your point across. Good writing, coupled with the power of the Holy Spirit will do that. I don’t feel you should say anything by mouth or by written word that you wouldn’t say in front of the Lord or give Him to read. We are judged by what we say – by Christians and non-Christians. You would feel terrible if just one word stumbled someone. People look for reasons not to believe – and if you offer nothing different than the “world” – then you are not being a light. Personally, I find it a challenge, especially verbally – but with writing you have time to reflect, to find the right word, to be more creative with your delivery – instead of reacting. So Thomas, I would encourage you to examine this once again. You do not need cuss words to be real. Your words reflect your heart – is that what is in your heart? Yes, life sucks sometimes – but we do not need to dwell in the smell of the sewer when we have such hope. Blessings and curses should not flow from the same mouth. Think on these things.

This was nice to read. I’ve always wondered if you secretly judge me whenever you see me say a cuss word, haha.

Reading the passages that Cheryl posted, it would seem that although that can be interpreted to include cursing as the social taboo, it seems more like it is referring to back biting and slander or intentional verbal assault

As a non-Christian and a linguist, the issue of cursing has always seemed less of a moral evil, but rather a means of exaggerating a verbal evil. Even then the words selected are not in themselves evil, but the way they are used to inflict pain might.

Cursing has several roles in our society and these differ from person to person. Many times it is used to create an intimidating image, or solicit an empathetic response from others (like when you hurt yourself), or of course to directly harm. The last context the can be done without the use of taboo words and even more powerfully: “I see why your boyfriend cheated on you” is much worse than “F— you!”

From this perspective, I don’t see how saying taboo words is in itself immoral.

Also, another thing about taboo words is that the words which are taboo change periodically, but Christianity is relatively less changing. I wish I could give examples but I fear that would cross a boundary on your blog. However in 19th century latinate words for body parts were considered vulgar, now they are considered scientific and appropriate.

Is it the words themselves that are immoral or is it how society reacts to the words? In which case is refraining for cursing more a matter of image? Is this a matter of appearing clean before a society to more effectively do one’s missionary work?

I guess for example, would it be wrong for a Christian to say “Zounds” a dead word no longer used in modern English. It was used many times in Shakespeare’s plays (I’m hoping if The Great Poet can use it, then I can post it safely on your blog). It means “Christ’s wounds” and at the time was the equivalent to an F-bomb. However, since the only living use of the word is glorified in Shakespeare, today’s society doesn’t view it as a taboo word and may even see it as a prestige word. Yet, to me this is a clear violation of a commandment.

Interesting dialogue about the topic.

Right after James talks about Faith and Deeds, he talks about taming the tongue in chapter 3 (see below). I don’t think its a coincidence that his discussion on the importance of having Spiritual Fruit in our lives (to prove/solidify our faith) leads into a discussion on taming the most powerful muscle of our body.

While I’m not about to condemn someone for cursing, I do think that many people forget that words are powerful. And that these words have meanings. Though many of the meanings have been lost over time, its important to know what you are saying.

Bottom line: Does your speech glorify God? Does what you say and the words that you use point to Him?

If your words do glorify Him and it includes words on the Conservative Christian Naughty List, then by all means, continue to glorify Him! If you’re not sure, then you might want to try and think of another alternative in case it doesn’t glorify Him.

Additionally, from an English major’s perspective, though curse words have their place, they are often used because of their connotations rather than their meaning. Saying “F— you!” has a much stronger cultural meaning than, “Go away!” though the speaker might be using them for the same thing. I think that our culture needs to use language more to think of better ways to convey the same thing without having to depend on hot button words like these.

James 3 (NIV) Taming the Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

The apostle Paul cursed to prove a point, so I figure that’s gotta mean something.

As for me personally….well let’s just say I’m no Apostle Paul.