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Ochuk
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 102
| Posted 3/19/2004 12:08 PM (GMT -6) |   | Tigress,
Since we have completely de-railed the Passion thred lets start a new one.
Here are some thoughts that a friend of mine wrote to me one day that I found interesting....
"When in history did "s.hit" become a bad word, while "poop" and "crap" (which mean the exact same thing) didn't? Now don't get me wrong, I don't say some because of the offensive stigma around and because I personally find them offensive. But why do I find them offensive? The answer is that I've been programmed from the beginning of my life to find them offensive.
Why is cussing a sin? True, the Bible says to avoid unclean speech, but this goes back to the original question. What makes "s.hit" more unclean than "crap"? Is it merely the culture around us? If so, then why do we care what the culture thinks? Aren't we to set our eyes higher than merely what the people around us think about us? God sets no boundaries on what He deems "unclean speech" in the Bible (apart from taking His name in vain). The Hebrew Bible even uses the word "dung" many times throughout itself. What if Ezekiel had written "s.hit" in Hebrew instead of "dung"? Would that somehow discredit the words even though "s.hit" may have not had the social stigmas back then that it does today?
Personally, I wouldn't consider using "cuss" words to be sin unless they A - take the Lord's name in vain, or B - are said in a fit of anger. Anger we know is a sin. Saying "s.hit" because you're angry is a sin. But if you say "crap" in a fit of anger, are you not also sinning? It's not the word that makes the sin; it's the motivation behind those words.
So I don't know. That's just what I've kind of been thinking about today. And I know this was a lot of rambling, but that's ok. You can deal with it. And like I said, there are certain words I won't say. And it's not like I use so-called "cuss" words rampantly or anything. I just have a problem with people (Christians, especially) who judge people because they use words that society has for some reason deemed "dirty" even though there is no reason for it."
So what, Tigress-- what's the deal here? What makes some words inherently sinful? Why could you call what Benny Hinn teaches "crap" but not "Bull__it?"
Read my blog at ochuk.gizzar.com | | Back to Top | | |
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 3/19/2004 2:45 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Ochuk
Tigress,
Personally, I wouldn't consider using "cuss" words to be sin unless they A - take the Lord's name in vain, or B - are said in a fit of anger. Anger we know is a sin. Saying "s.hit" because you're angry is a sin. But if you say "crap" in a fit of anger, are you not also sinning? It's not the word that makes the sin; it's the motivation behind those words.
(Jo-Anne) Ochuk, I would add C - are offensive to brothers and sisters in Christ or to the unbeliever
I understood what you meant, what was intended. You communicated it in a non-threatening, even light-hearted manner and got a point across. But I also understood that it may be offensive to some and that that is more important than the point that was being made. I don't think the issue here is language. It is being sensitive to others. It is considering love to be more important than being right.
I agree with you though. We substitute lesser slang words for more offensive ones when they mean the same thing, and depending on how they are used, may be equally or more offensive.
Also remember that we all have our own experience and understanding. If you were communicating in a different culture, you would become aware of and be sensitive to language and dress so that you would not be offensive. This is a multi-cultural board as well as being a board where people come from diverse religious backgrounds.
We are also having to consider levels of sensitivity. Isn't it better to be at peace, "as far as possible with all men (women).
I don't think anyone was offended with you personally, they were just letting you know that the Bible is sacred to them (it is to me as well) and that they would rather you didn't use those words in referring to the written Word.
Comprendez? God Bless!
Jo-Anne
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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John Earp
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Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1715
| Posted 3/19/2004 3:05 PM (GMT -6) | | Ochuk,
Many of the words we consider vulgar or obscene derive from Germanic/Old English roots. This is definitely true of the "S" and "F" words, as well as "ass/arse." I seem to recall reading somewhere that when the Normans invaded England in the 11th century, these words became considered barbaric or vulgar.
It does seem that most of these words, even "crap" and "poop" may fall into the category of idle words, each of which our Lord said we would come into judgment for speaking.
As for "corrupt communication," it seems Paul was speaking of gossip, murmuring, backbiting, and so forth, as far as I can tell from the context.
Me? I don't use these words because my wife finds them offensive.  Also, I had my mouth washed out with soap a few times as a kid, and that kind of negative reinforcement tended in my case to lessen my zeal for using these kinds of words. If you look in an exhaustive dictionary like Merriam-Webster's online, you will find the etymology of these words is indeed low Germanic/Dutch, which of course is very closely related to Old English.
My 2c
"The Discovery of new truth will modify old views and opinions, and there is perhaps no end to this process with finite minds in any world." Charles G. Finney, Systematic Theology.
revivaltheology.net
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Tigress
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2003
Total Posts : 1252
| Posted 3/22/2004 4:58 AM (GMT -6) | | I don't know Ochuk. I guess some words seem a little less harsh than others do, but you're right. It's no different to switch words for other words when they really mean the same thing. I guess that means we shouldn't say any of those words at all, then.
I think describing the Bible as "big-ass" is really pushing it, though, regardless of how common the usage of the word is. Just because society uses a word frequently doesn't make saying it okay. One should never base their moral and ethical decisions on society's standards - only on God's, and I'm sure Jesus would never use a word like "big-ass" if He walked around in our culture today. Wouldn't you agree?
About 10 years ago when I was in my first college I had a poster of a kitten that was hanging onto a tree branch with the caption, "Oh shit!" A couple of my Christian friends didn't like that word and I remembered that the guy always used to use the phrase, "Dag doust it!" whenever he got frustrated or whatever, so I taped that phrase over the "Oh shit" on the poster. The girl started cracking up, but another time we were talking about foul language and she said that saying "dag doust it" is no different to God than saying a typical swear word. And she was right. Eventually I just threw that poster away.
Aren't swear words weird? Why do we feel we must exclaim something when we're angry or upset, or if we accidentally hurt ourselves, etc.? It's such a strange habit. I had a Christian friend who when he picked up a lit candle and accidentally spilled a LOT of the hot wax on his hand, didn't swear at all, or say anything for that matter. I was very impressed. I knew a girl who hadn't said a swear word in like 5 years at that point. Some people really have great control over their tongues. I wish I did - and my thoughts. You should hear the thoughts I think when I'm in traffic! 
Tigress 
"Name a shrub after me. Preferably one that's prickly and difficult to eradicate."
-Captain Jack Aubrey
"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" | | Back to Top | | |
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moderat_or
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2004
Total Posts : 3
| Posted 4/1/2004 1:12 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Ochuk
Tigress,
Since we have completely de-railed the Passion thred lets start a new one.
Here are some thoughts that a friend of mine wrote to me one day that I found interesting....
"When in history did "s.hit" become a bad word, while "poop" and "crap" ..... but not "Bull__it?"
I predict that Sensour will shut this thread down. | | Back to Top | | |
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Ochuk
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 102
| Posted 4/2/2004 9:48 AM (GMT -6) | | | | |
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Laplace
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 138
| Posted 4/8/2004 12:06 PM (GMT -6) | | I agree with most explanations here about the origin of profanity (lower class word usage, bad associations, taboos, etc.). Perhaps Tigress is asking whether or not using such words are "sin".
I believe the emphasis should be placed more on context and intent rather than the letters of the word.
For example, Jesus says if anyone says to another "You Fool!" he is in danger of the fires of hell. If taken literally (even finding an appropriate Greek translation) we can see that the use of the word "Fool" in our language has much less bite than in that time.
Now take the word "sucks". Most people now use it and it is rarely turns heads anymore when heard in the mall. Yet most (including myself at first) did not know of its sexual connotation. I could use the word "Bloody" here in the States and no one would censure me, but use it in Britain....
Therefore, with the exception of God's name (which I believe is unequivably Holy) words themselves ought not to be the focus. However, it should be noted that sensitivity of the society you are in should affect your speech. If you use a word which you know is offensive to your audience without justification, then I do believe that is a sin.
"I say we blast the meatbag, Master" -HK-47, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic | | Back to Top | | |
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 4/8/2004 5:42 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Laplace
If you use a word which you know is offensive to your audience without justification, then I do believe that is a sin.
I think a big problem here on this board is you can't here the tone of any word(s). | | Back to Top | | |
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 4/8/2004 5:58 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by moon_river_j
[I'm rambling...one of my difficulties at times in communicating!
God Bless!
Jo-Anne
You're funny, you made me laugh.
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 4/10/2004 12:01 AM (GMT -6) | | | | |
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