Cussing and swearing

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Princess18

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A friend’s 9 year-old dropped the f-bomb the other day in front of his mother (the one that rhymes with “truck” for those of you who are unfamiliar with that term). Anyway, she marched him into confession. She was telling me the story later and I said that I wasn’t sure he should have had to confess that. While I agree that the word is foul and nearly always inappropriate, it’s not taking the Lord’s name in vain and not a sin.

Thoughts?
 
I don’t see how it is a mortal sin (which of the 10 commandments does it violate?), so I voted NO as to the need for immediate confession.

God Bless
 
Although it is not taking the Lord’s name in vain, it is very disresptful. The content of the word is bad, though at nine I don’t think the child knew what the word meant. He was also dishonoring his father and mother by using the word.

God Bless to all:blush:
 
Those who are voting “It’s a sin for everybody” please add to the conversation! I’m curious to know what you think.
 
Adults are the ones who are far more sensitive to cursing than kids are.

The censorship is for them not for children.
 
Swearing is a venial sin against society; it shows offense to the lord and the neighbor. Further it reduces the quality of life granted. All sins should be confessed; mortal sins in detail and venial sins usually in a general acknowledgement of failings.
 
What if the child is not sorry for saying it though? I know I am rarely if ever sorry for using cuss words unless they are used as insults in anger. Then I might be sorry. However, that does not seem to be the case here and I am not sure confession is appropriate.
 
Texas_Roofer said:
Swearing is a venial sin against society; it shows offense to the lord and the neighbor. Further it reduces the quality of life granted. All sins should be confessed; mortal sins in detail and venial sins usually in a general acknowledgement of failings.
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Amen… I was thinking the same and would have posted… Why write it twice.

Blessing,😊

Will B.
 
the catechism teaches that swearing is not a sin, BUT, you still should not do it because then you are making a bad example of yourself as a catholic
 
EmeraldWings said:
the catechism teaches that swearing is not a sin, BUT, you still should not do it because then you are making a bad example of yourself as a catholic
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If you happen to know where it is addressed in the CCC (or other document), that would be great …

Thanks
 
Princess18 said:
If you happen to know where it is addressed in the CCC (or other document), that would be great …

Thanks
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i’ve read this in a few different catholic catechisms, all approved by the church of course, i don’t trust any books without the imprimatur or nihil obstat in it,
the one is “this is the faith” which you can find along with many other good catholic books on www.tanbooks.com,

another source i got it from was “my daily bread” a very good daily meditations book.
 
I think swearing is normally a venial sin, but mortal if used deliberately to offend/upset someone or some other inappropriate situation (like a teacher encouraging their children to swear). I’d say it’s not sinful if you say burn yourself or drop something and accidentally swear out of habit.

Then again I’ve heard my priest use the ‘f’ word (forget why he used it, just remember being shocked) and it does seem unfortunately common among Catholics, I’d far rather it than blaspheming but still don’t think it’s necessary. Then again I used to swear every other sentence (my Mum’s a former punk rock singer, so I grew up with swear words pretty much normal words) and then decided it was inappropriate, so try not to swear but still think in sentences with swear words in sometimes
 
I’ve made it a habit that I’m not ashamed of. I rarely ever call people a ***** or tell them to **** off and when I do I feel bad, but I say it to myself, to make a point, or between friends.
 
Princess18 said:
A friend’s 9 year-old dropped the f-bomb the other day in front of his mother (the one that rhymes with “truck” for those of you who are unfamiliar with that term). Anyway, she marched him into confession. She was telling me the story later and I said that I wasn’t sure he should have had to confess that. While I agree that the word is foul and nearly always inappropriate, it’s not taking the Lord’s name in vain and not a sin.

Thoughts?
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Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29).

But now put you also all away: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, foul language out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8).

Do you think this is a word Jesus would be using?

Would it be God’s will for you to use this word? If not, then it is sin.
 
I voted yes, it requires confession for everyone.

The reason being, it doesn’t take God’s name in vain, but it does (usually) convey serious disrespect of someone, or a great deal of anger, or perhaps lustful intentions. If I tell someone to f off, then I have sinned against them, for I am not treating them with the respect due to all men (and women) as brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
The Bible tells us to control our tongues. This applies to children and adults. No need to split hairs for kids. I think the parent knows when their child is simply imitating a meaningless (to him) word or using it to hurt or put down or disrespect another.

Cussing and swearing is unacceptable in a civil society.

God bless,
Ed
 
The 9-year old in the original post was probably just testing the waters as kids do, unless there were other big-time problems going on.

Deliberately swearing at someone as a demonstration of real hatred–maybe grave (the hatred itself at least), but swearing as a result of accidentally locking myself out of my house, “oh ****”, maybe venial. I sometimes confess those, especially if I notice that in general I’m getting more cranky/impatient/less thankful.
 
Of course it is a sin… 2nd and/or 5th commandment depending on the context of the cursing.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church:
2073 Obedience to the Commandments also implies obligations in matter which is, in itself, light. Thus abusive language is forbidden by the fifth commandment, but would be a grave offense only as a result of circumstances or the offender’s intention.
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ourladyswarriors.org/faith/bc3-32.htm

Baltimore Catechism said:
. 1239. What is forbidden by the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment forbids all false, rash, unjust, and unnecessary oaths, blasphemy, cursing, and profane words.
…
Q. 1241. What is blasphemy, and what are profane words?
A. Blasphemy is any word or action intended as an insult to God. To say He is cruel or find fault with His works is blasphemy. It is a much greater sin than cursing or taking God’s name in vain. Profane words mean here bad, irreverent or irreligious words.
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I say it’s a sin only because I feel guilty when I do it. I find it offensive when I hear others do it. My opinion has not been formed by anything I have read in the Catechism or Bible (I’m betting you could find it implied or stated clearly in both if you looked though) and I have never looked for any information on it. Seek and ye shall find and all that. I’ve never had need to seek. I’ve always felt bad when I said a curse word and my guilt makes it a sin for me.

Let me also write that while I confess those slips when I go to confession, I don’t go jto confession just for that. I confess at the start of mass as if it were a venial sin (I feel comfortable with that - again I’ve never felt the need to look into it) and I recieve communion without confessing to the priest in the confessional. But again, when I go to confession, I mention it.
 
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