Fellow Christians, Is it Ungodly to us a Substitue word for a Curse word?

Question

PLEASE, MATURE ANSWERS ONLY!!!

What is your opinion on this?

Example:
Dang sounds like ____.

Shoot sounds like____.

Please dont fill in the blanks. You get the picture.

(If i stomp my toe, they might say "Shoot") or (If someone gets hit by a ball in the face, someone else my say "Daaaaaang")

Basically when we say these words out of an significant event that happened, it sounds like we are substituting curse words with a less graphic word to sound more innocent.

Answer 1

Although most Christians will refrain from using the obvious "cuss words, " very many will lightly and carelessly use "minced oaths" from time to time. According to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia minced oaths are,

"corrupted forms of (usually religion-related) swear words that originally arose in English culture sometime before the Victorian Age, as part of the cultural impact of Puritanism after the Protestant Reformation."

In other words these "oaths" are a veiled form of cussing, swearing, and profanity. During the Puritan era in England open cursing was largely shunned so, true to their nature, people invented other ways to "express themselves." No wonder the Bible says of man,

"Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:" [Rom 3:13-14]

The dog will return to its vomit every time [2Pet. 2:22]

Answer 2

I don't think that. I think it is the intent with which it is said. I say "Shoot" all the time, and I don't mean anything other than shoot or dang, just the words. What you are talking about doesn't really come to my mind when I say that. But if it is said with the intent of being a substitute for curse words, you might as well curse, because it is already in your heart.

Answer 3

The word you seek is euphemism. Euphemisms allow us to talk to our respective grandmothers even after we've learned to cuss like a sailor.

Sometimes "ow" just doesn't cut it.

And seriously...the source of the profanity is some anger. We've learned over the years that anger is a bad emotion so we try to consciously muffle any expression of anger. In reality, when you hit your finger with that hammer the cussing does nothing that screaming wouldn't do (and stifling that urge to scream - using hardcore profanity or even euphemisms actually stifles the curative effects of oxygen that you would get from the scream that even an animal would muster). It's a very complex path that leads us to cussing in that situation and the problem isn't really the profanity - more likely the problem is that we instantly blame ourselves or everybody in sight for our mishap. Blame does nothing, cussing does (essentially) nothing. Only time and maybe some ice is going to cure the hurt - we are helpless. That, ultimately may add to the anger we feel.


It's an interesting topic but much broader than a single question.

Answer 4

I think your still cussing if you think enough to substitute the cuss word with another word, it still like cussing to me.

I am guilty of doing this sometimes

But since you ask this question, and I thought about it, I would have to think that it the same thing as cussing because, you have let the anger, pain, thought, ect come into you head and thoughts enough to substitue them.

We are suppose to ask and be Christ like at all times, and Jesus only cursed the Fig Tree ( I think) that I can remember.

He didn't let Pain while he was on the cross say cuss words.

He didn't let ANGER make HIM say Cuss words

So my thoughts is that is still Cussing....

I know I am guilty and going to try to work on this more now.

Thank You

Answer 5

I couldn't have put it better myself!!! You are so completely right that it's sad. I have been puttering around here on R&S for quite a while now, and I think my hair is permantly fried. I actually haven't contributed much because of all the hateful language - and a whole lot of that has been from "Christians". I am so glad that there are others who agree with me. We, as believers, need to realize that if Jesus were here in the flesh (again), that the very people that we, as "Christians", are condemning by our hateful language would be the very people that he would choose to be with, and more importantly, to love. I wish more people could see that. Thank you for being one. On behalf of Christians out there who aren't that way, I want to apologize to the non-believers for the hate that has been sent your way. It does NOT come from all believers.

Answer 6

No matter what word you use you are still expressing the same frustration. If "shoot" represent a less frustrated and less angry response for you, then I don't think it just a substitute. I think God can distinguish between word choice and the your actual meaning for the word you choose.

Answer 7

I agree.

I have struggled over the years to clean up my speech. (I grew up with a foul-mouthed waitress mom.) And the progression has been to go from nasty swear words, to filler words and now they are few and far between.

I do think they are nearly the same as curse words because the meaning in my heart was the same.

Answer 8

Why would you try to make somebody feel guilty for using bad words (curse or substitute) to describe bad things? The situations you describe *hurt*. It's like you're trying to say other people don't have the right to be human and express pain or frustration in any way, not even with substitute words. And that is seriously...well, I'm sure you and your imagination can fill in the blanks on that one.

Answer 9

The change must come from within.

To stop cussing or using variations of cuss words a person must change the reaction that causes the cussing/substitution.

Anger or fear or guilt or shame.
When these are examined deeply and the poison is rooted out it will change not only a persons vocabulary but the very path of life.

Answer 10

Do your words bring life or death. So, you will be judged by every careless word you say. The power of life & death is in the tongue.

So? What is the meaning of the words? Realize this is a seed sown.

I think people should give God thanks for pain, because they now know to be more careful next time.