Of Profanity and Christianity
In the past 9-12 months or so, I've encountered a growing phenomeon amongst Christian people I come in contact with. An increasing number of them are incorporating profanity into their everyday language.
Before we go further, let me distinguish the difference between profanity and blasphemy. Profanity would be those words that fall into the general description words. For example, the s-word, the f-word, b!tch, damn, etc. Blasphemy is taking God's name in vain, and I have no tolerance for that speech.
Ok, it has been said to me on many occasion, "Hey, they're just words. They're not blasphemy and they describe accurately what I'm trying to communicate. So what's the problem?"
I'm not sure I have a problem with this line of reasoning. Most words in the list above are ones that certainly all adults have heard before and most of them use them from time to time if not all the time. I would just question whether or not there is a more civil, dignified way to express your thoughts. Use profanity at me, even to describe me, and you're not going to offend me because I don't think it qualifies as sin, but it would worry me that using this language in everyday speech would be overheard by children.
Also pointed out to me, "Hey, if I'm gonna say 'freakin' or 'shoot' isn't that the same thing as saying the actual word it represents and if so, why not just say the word I mean to say?"
Again, not sure I have any argument here, or any general problem with people using profanity. I'm just wondering if it is the best way to commuincate. I admit that there is sometimes a feeling of liberation and freedom that comes from saying certain profanity, knowing that it really isn't sinful, but I worry that in a fit of anger or frustration, they symbolize feelings that are sinful.
I guess the bottom line for me is that while I would never judge anyone for using profanity, I might wonder why they choose that particular adjective instead of one that is non-vulgar...thoughts? Comments??? C'mon dammit!!!
posted by Dale @ 3:01 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
agreed that certain profanities are OVER used in our society. for instance, using the f-word more than say, 3 times in a single sentence. whether it's true or not, it shows a certain lack of education.
that said, there are few things funnier than a well-placed curse word.
i've never had a problem with profanity, but up until recently i usually opted out of using it myself. call it laziness, call it acting out of years of repression, but these days, i think cussing is the sh*t.
well, as a well if not OVER educated construction worker i have a couple of points.
first, i don't agree that it is a sign of a lack of education. i like to think that my couple of degrees in seperate fields qualifies me as well educated and just today i used the Fbomb at least 6 times in one sentence. think about it, could you use the same word 6 times in a sentence and not violate any rules of grammar?
i think the distinction between educated and not is in HOW the words are used, not simply the quantity.
for instance, a while back we had some complete idiots working for us and i was the foreman on the job. they were totally Fing the job up due to a combination of laziness and idiocy. in my work you tell a guy something a couple of times then comes the point at which you are both expected and it is needed for you to use more forceful language. The Fbomb is perfect for this.
"WHAT THE F***! This is the 14th F***ing time I have had to come down here and streighten this F***ing mess up. Now F***ing listen! This F***ing form is uneven, and this one is so F***ed up that it has to be redone. F***!
Not one sentence, but there were six usages and it got the point accross.
sometimes I have to be a hard ass and you can't do that with polite words. you would not get anything done. it just won't work.
the other thing (and here is where my rhetorical/linguistic education comes in to play - the only time i actually use it in my job) is that all words derive their meaing from context. In some contexts they are not appropriate. but there are many words that are not apt in certain contexts that are not "bad words." say, when you are talking to people about your job and you use technical language that they do not understand. like when someone tries to explain how a computer works to me. if they talk about C++ i am lost. but if they speak in terms that i understand it would be more apt.
in construction, or say boot camp, or on the farm it is not just apt, it is required that you use "bad words."
i don't think i in total disagreement with you both, maybe i am just clerifying things a bit.
I'm with Cade on the education perspective...sure, well educated people use profanity, but I admit it's what I think when I hear someone dropping f-bombs every other word...
The sternest, most attention-grabbing tounge lashingings I've received has always been profanity free...Fletch, are you suggesting that if you went to your workers and said..
"WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS!!! This is the 14th time I have had to come down here and streighten this mess up. Now listen! This form is uneven, and this one is so messed up that it has to be redone. C'MON!
that you wouldn't get the same point across? Just a question, I don't live in that environment, so I don't claim to know...
muffin, i am not suggesting it, i am saying it is FACT. it is all about cultural context and not all (not the leads) but the folks that i end up cussing at WILL NOT respect you for being nice and using kind words. they might like you, but they won't respect you. sad but true. like i said, i tried being what you or cade called "civil" (which, btw is a cultural construct) and shit just didn't get done.
if i come in and really kick some ass that is when things get done.
as i said before, it is all about what is apt. cussing probably won't get you anywhere in the emasculated world of evangelicalism (it never got me anywhere) and being a P***y won't get you anywhere in my world.
i don't think you can say that words, mere words are wrong or evil. it is the context that determines all that.
and if you think that someone is less educated because they drop the f-bomb that is just classism and bigotry on the par of some folk who think christians who admit to having a personal relationship with christ are less educated.
Can I just be the first to say that I hate the term "f-bomb"? I would rather hear people swearing than using stupid terms like "f-bomb" or silly, babyish words like "poopy," or "oh, sugar!" instead of sh*t. I have always been of the opinion that swears are just words, it's the culture that makes it have a certain meaning. Plus, if I just hit my thumb with a hammer, or knocked over a water glass, I'm certainly not going to say, "Oh, darn!"
I forget what college it is, but there is at least one that has a course in cursing and context.
fletch-
just as you have said. "it's the way it is." i'm not saying that if i walked by a construction site (i mean, i GREW UP on construction sites) and heard the curse words flying, that i would think anything less about those folks education.
i work in theatre for crying out loud. if you want a truly depraved and vulgar conversation, try talking to a guy who has been on the road with "the sound of music" for two years.
my beef is with the high school or college student hanging out outside the movieplex cussing at each other and everyone else like their life depended on it. THAT seems to me like they have taken the short cut and given up. when someone hasn't had enough life experience to make up their own mind about how to talk to other people, it feels to me that they are using profanity because it's "bad" and nothing more.
i could justify myself all day and never express what i truly feel. i'm not that good of a writer. but i will say this:
take it for what it's worth, call me a "classist," but it annoys the hell out of me when someone says f*ck insessantly. and i won't apologize for that.
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