Christians and the morality of language?

Question

I've always found it ridiculous that people give so much power to words. I know that it's not just the religious who are opposed to swearing; you can get fined for swearing in public or flagged for doing so on this website. Yet Christians seem to be opposed to it on a moral level.

I understand the that argument Christians don't want to offend people so they avoid specific words that may do so. (Although they manage to offend with other words more often than not.) Beyond that, no where in the Bible does it say "Thou shall not say ****." English didn't even exist back then!

Additionally, Jesus himself had a bit of a potty mouth. In Matthew 23 he called the pharisees "Serpents, brood of vipers!" Calling someone a brood of vipers hardly seems like swearing to us but that's the problem with translation. The Greek word he used was very offensive for the times, would have been the equivalent of calling them "dirty rotten ****" these days. If you're a Christian opposed to swearing, why?

Answer 1

I am a one hundred percent non-believer who is strongly opposed to garbage-mouthing. Why? Because of pride. I don't want to sound like a person without a brain. Profanity does nothing in getting the point to the other person. Speech is transfering an idea from the speaker to the listener. Profanity does not make the idea clearer, but it does say something about the person who uses it.

Answer 2

I am a Christian opposed to swearing. Let's take a look at some of the words: F--K---hey that really draws a lovely visual. Then there is: SH_T--man that is also such a pretty word. Oh, there is the really nasty one: C_NT-that is a nice one for the ladies. A_SHOLE-that seems to be a real smelly one. And don't forget taking the Lords's name in vain--either God or Jesus, well, that just really seems to not go over well with us Christians, seeing that is who we worship and live for. I don't mean to be flippant, but, look at the words we are talking about. A lot of crude descriptions for body parts, body substances, and intimate body functions. Pretty juvenile, I think. They are not accepted at the dinner parties or business meetings I attend. They are crass and unprofessional. They really don't serve at a description, they are simply a selfish and immature means of expressing one's own lack of self control and self respect.---OH, don't get me wrong, I swear occasionally, but I HATE IT when I do, and I apologize if anyone is in my presence, and I repent to the Lord. When Jesus said, "You brood of vipers, He was using a very descriptive phrase to more vividly describe the people He was dealing with: dangerous, low, cold-blooded, etc. A brood of vipers seems much more intimidating to me than an A_SHOLE. What harm can an A_SHOLE DO TO ME????? I think that swearing is something that should be saved for bigger things like: your house burning down, an earthquake, your best friend getting killed, a plane crashing into a building, etc. Too many people swear simply when they are angry or not getting their way: Wahhhh- maybe more adult should suck on pacifiers to keep their mouths shut. Don't mean to be rude, just I HATE SWEARING-

Answer 3

The use of the F word and other`s although not very nice is however not swearing in a Biblical sense nor is it cursing in the same sense either, it is a fact that sudden sharp pain or even a sudden fright will cause people to use these words and I do not see it as a great sin at all, we are not automatons who can be conditioned into perfect behavior by the state, and the PC thing is really going too far these day`s.

Answer 4

I swear occasionally, but I don't like to use vulgarity in conversation because it really doesn't say much. When I was in the Army, I learned to use the same f word 10 diferent time in the same sentence. But I really wasn't exchanging much in the way of intelect. That's why it's considered vulgar.

The word vanity comes into play here. Vanity means waste, and I don't like people to waste my time, or their breath, with nonsense that doesn't need words to express. Grunts would do well in most cases. Or a middle digit...

That's my opinion, Christ tells you not to waste your words cursing someone, because you probably don't have the power to do much, with just words anyway.

Answer 5

Jesus wants us to treat people with love. If I'm cursing up a blue streak then I don't really feel like I'm doing that. But what really just makes my toes crawl is when the Lord's name is put in front of those curse words. And that obviously, comes from the fact that it is a commandment "thou shalt not take thy Lord's name in vain." My Lord died for me, I don't want to see His name used so loosely. It really is personal for me.

As for Jesus speaking to the Pharisees, you will note that is the only time he ever lost his temper. They were treating the house of God horribly. The pharisees would make people pay to make sacrifices and Jesus didn't like them making profit from this. I think Jesus is hurt terribly to see his people mistreat others in His name.

Answer 6

The Holy Spirit allows me to use what ever language that He find appropriate. All this excludes in using The name of my Lord in vain and being profane. That includes only two words that I aren't part of my daily speech and only one that never parts my lips ( I do call on the name of my Lord in prayer and teaching.) Let me say that this is NOT Law to me it is what the Holy Spirit has told me in right for me. I force no other to follow those guide lines, nor am I shocked when they don't. I am the judge of no one outside the Church (The Church is the collective group of all believers, the church is the group of people that meet together to pray receive teaching and praise God together).. Jim

Answer 7

I look at it in the way of would I want my children to say these words. And I don't. Those are words for anger and stupidity, that our society made up however long ago, and were made to offend people. I also believe that it shows your intelligence. Even the smartest people look absolutely stupid when they use swear words.