Cussing...

[Valtiel]

Is it a sin???

Here is how I veiw it;

Paul used the Greek word for “****”. Cursing obviously has a place and time. Only some particular kinds of curses are forbidden.

I believe that it comes down to

A. Is it done out of a sinful urge; i.e., anger, or malice?
B. Is it rooted in some unclean or blasphemous thought, as in words pertaining to sexual impurity or taking God’s name in vain?
C. Will it edify or offend those who hear it?

If it is not said for a malicious or impure reason, and nobody’s offended - I see no problem with saying it.
And I’d make an exception for offending people if I’m trying to get their attention and that sort of speech is neccessary.

 

[mercygate]

For what it’s worth, the Rule of the Confraternity of Penitents (a private association of the faithful comprising mostly laymen living in the world) requires that all vulgar language is to be avoided.

 

[JimG]

Strangely enough, when I was in high school, back in the dark ages, cussing of any sort was rare. When I joined the military, it was more common, but none of those who used it on duty would think of using at home or in social situations, and would rebuke anyone who cussed in front of women or children.

Now, I find that high school girls use language that would have made my military buddies extremely uncomfortable.

I’m sure there are greater problems in the world, but the degradation of the language of our youth always dismays me.

 

[Lillith]

JimG:

Strangely enough, when I was in high school, back in the dark ages, cussing of any sort was rare. When I joined the military, it was more common, but none of those who used it on duty would think of using at home or in social situations, and would rebuke anyone who cussed in front of women or children.

Now, I find that high school girls use language that would have made my military buddies extremely uncomfortable.

I’m sure there are greater problems in the world, but the degradation of the language of our youth always dismays me.

True…but when I was in highschool (80’s), the language was very crude also, and most everyone was a Liberal…I think that cussing and Liberalism is some sort of teenage rage against the machine that most folks outgrow…

 

[rwoehmke]

I was taught at my mother’s knee that while vulgar language or “cussing” as some call it may not always be sinful, that it was always the sign of a person who was uneducated, had a limited vocabularly, and was unable to express themselves clearly and correctly. That was over 60 years ago and I am still totally convinced that she had it right. I am absolutely amazed at one comes out of the mouths of people, even young women, today and they do not have enough sense of self to blush. Why would anyone want to appear crude and uneducated. It is absolutely enough to make us old geezers cringe.

 

[Fidelis]

Perhaps it would be helpful to make some distinctions:

CURSING - properly speaking, is when you call down misfortune upon another, i.e., “Go to hell,” or “May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your underwear.” At the very least, this is uncharitable and boorish.

BLASPHEMY - as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church is “Speech, thought, or action involving contempt for God or the Church, or persons or things dedicated to God. Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment” ( Glossary and Section 2148). Thus, it is always sinful.

PROFANITY - is vulgar language, the proverbial “four letter words” that is (or used to be) off limits in mixed company, and never uttered by real ladies. While not technically sinful, it can be considered conduct unbecoming a child of God and can and does cause scandal and bad example to other Christians and to unbelievers.

 

[adstrinity]

I’m trying to stop. I know St. Paul said to control one’s tongue or some sh…something like that. (And, that’s another thing, I’ve noticed I’ve picked up on & adopted British swearing because of another forum.) I do try, and, I can tolerate almost ANY swear. The F one, yep, the C one, about a female, no problem, the ONLY one I ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT TOLERATE is GD or J! (I let it slip with on online friend, yesterday, though.) I will call out ALL my friends (and, they do use it, too!!! My Baptist friend, agnostic friend, & athiest friend & I get VERY offended at this!!! They apologize quickly when I bring it to their attention. I like how in, “Newlyweds”, Jessica trained herself to say, “Oh my GAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!” It was annoying & people kept bringing this to her attention and say “Oh my gosh!” (I don’t even like, OMG, because, it’s not used in proper context.) I kept thinking, 'I hate when she says that, but, I bet it’s just as annoying to God when people actually take His name in vain. :crying:

That being said, “doggoneit!” just doesn’t have the same intent as some better choice words in a particular situation. It is a trap in which to fall, however, to think that this has no profound affect on one’s salvation.

 

[mercygate]

I do believe the standard may be somewhat mitigated for those who must start a pull-cord lawn mower . . .

 

[Lillith]

mercygate:

I do believe the standard may be somewhat mitigated for those who must start a pull-cord lawn mower . . .

…That is Truth…

 

[D_Quintero]

The bible says that we can not be hypocrites when it comes to our mouth. Cussing is a sin because you can not say “I LOVE YOU JESUS or PRAY FOR US MARY” and then say a curse word. We should only allow good and positive things to come out of our mouths - things that will encourage other people (Ephesians 4:29). It is not right for praising and cursing to come out of the same mouth (James 3:9-12). We are not hypocrites!!!

 

[On_my_way]

If you read James 3:8-9 it will show you how humans use there tougues in 2 ways.

1. we use it to praise people and our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. we also use it to curse human beings who God made in his likeness.

I we do #1 why do we do #2? If you look at the whole of James 3 it tells us that the tongue is a small member, but it can start a fire that can burn out of control. We must remember at all times that we need God to check our thoughts before it leaves our tongues. If we can all follow this everything we say will be pleasing to God and everyone around us.

 

[DaveBj]

It is in these situations that being a polyglot comes in handy.



DaveBj

 

[Absalom]

On my way:

If you read James 3:8-9 it will show you how humans use there tougues in 2 ways.

1. we use it to praise people and our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. we also use it to curse human beings who God made in his likeness.

I we do #1 why do we do #2? If you look at the whole of James 3 it tells us that the tongue is a small member, but it can start a fire that can burn out of control. We must remember at all times that we need God to check our thoughts before it leaves our tongues. If we can all follow this everything we say will be pleasing to God and everyone around us.

Technically speaking, you can do #1 and use a 4-letter word (think about it before you go “huh?”), and you can do #2 without using a 4-letter word. I think that cursing CAN be sinful, if it is meant to curse a human being or God, or when being vulgar (as in, being disrespectful to something worthy of respect - think how F*** is a term that casts a negative light upon a gift of God). However, it seems to me to be a bit legalistic to say that someone is sinning when they say S*** because they hit their finger with a hammer.

Incidentally, S*** being considered vulgar is really all about intellectual snobbery. After the Norman invasion of England in 1066, the word from which we get our word, “S***”, became considered “vulgar” or “common” because it was monosyllabic. The multisyllabic, latinate words of the Normans were considered more learned and cultured. I seriously doubt God had anything to do with this.

In short, I think it all comes down to what you mean and how you use language - *any *language.

 

[Ghosty]

I’m always amused by people who claim that “vulgar” words are bad, when really they have no connotation in meaning that is absent in the “proper” words. There is no difference in meaning when saying “I’ve got to take a sh–,” instead of saying “I must defecate.”

If you read older literature, you’ll find that it’s filled with words that are today called “vulgar”. Why? Because those languages, espescially English, later became dominated by other cultures (in the case of England it would be the French), and they insisted on considering the language of the dominated culture “uneducated”. This can also be seen in the case of the Irish when their language was outlawed entirely by the British. (in fact, I wonder if the perception of early, “unevolved” humans “speaking in grunts” was actually an insult against the Irish based on their extremely gutteral Gaelic language)

What concerns me is blasphemy and saying uncharitable things about others. “Taking a sh–” is neither of these, and falls completely below my radar; in my head it is the same as “I’m going to defecate”.

 

[Valtiel]

Ghosty:

I’m always amused by people who claim that “vulgar” words are bad, when really they have no connotation in meaning that is absent in the “proper” words. There is no difference in meaning when saying “I’ve got to take a sh–,” instead of saying “I must defecate.”

If you read older literature, you’ll find that it’s filled with words that are today called “vulgar”. Why? Because those languages, espescially English, later became dominated by other cultures (in the case of England it would be the French), and they insisted on considering the language of the dominated culture “uneducated”. This can also be seen in the case of the Irish when their language was outlawed entirely by the British.

What concerns me is blasphemy and saying uncharitable things about others. “Taking a sh–” is neither of these, and falls completely below my radar; in my head it is the same as “I’m going to defecate”.

I also think words need to have a purpose, hence “everyone will be accountable for every word in vain”. If you say any other word in place of a curse word in vain, just because you a have stigma over cursing, then it’s far worse then cursing. I think has long as a curse word has a purpose, and contains everything else in my original post, then nothing can be wrong with it…

Here is how I veiw it;

Paul used the Greek word for “****”. Cursing obviously has a place and time. Only some particular kinds of curses are forbidden.

I believe that it comes down to

A. Is it done out of a sinful urge; i.e., anger, or malice?
B. Is it rooted in some unclean or blasphemous thought, as in words pertaining to sexual impurity or taking God’s name in vain?
C. Will it edify or offend those who hear it?

If it is not said for a malicious or impure reason, and nobody’s offended - I see no problem with saying it.
And I’d make an exception for offending people if I’m trying to get their attention and that sort of speech is neccessary.

 

[Ghosty]

I think has long as a curse word has a purpose, and contains everything else in my original post, then nothing can be wrong with it…

If by curse word you mean the same as I mean, such as the infamous “four letter words”, then I agree completely. Furthermore, your intention when using them can make a huge difference. If I say such a word in order to offend, then I’m striking my neighbor. If I say “I’ve gotta take a sh–” because I really do, and I mean it innocently, I see nothing wrong with it.

In my family, for example, saying “I have to defecate” would turn heads and, quite likely, cause derisive laughter. Saying “I’ve got to take a sh–” would be met with “be sure to flush and light a match this time”

 

[Absalom]

Excuse me, but . . . Paul used the Greek word for what? When?

 

[Scott_Waddell]

Absalom!:

Excuse me, but . . . Paul used the Greek word for what? When?

I can’t remember the passage, but he uses the word skubala to describe things like his reputation he had gained before he knew Christ. Basically saying that now that he is in Christ those things he regarded as excrement.

Scott

 

[DaveBj]

Scott Waddell:

I can’t remember the passage, but he uses the word skubala to describe things like his reputation he had gained before he knew Christ. Basically saying that now that he is in Christ those things he regarded as excrement./QUOTE]

Phil 3:8

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
KJV

DaveBj

 

[turboEDvo]

Well, my thoughts are that I don’t recreationally use cuss words (like the aforementioned “I’ve got to take a *&%^”) simply because it is crude. I don’t cuss at people because as a Catholic I feel I am called to be civil and respectful of others.

However, I would use it for shock value ONLY if completely necessary.

For me though, falling into the trap of cussing would be sinful because of the way I used to speak to and about others. For others, maybe it isn’t sinful (but I still think it’s crude)

Eamon

Valtiel:

A. Is it done out of a sinful urge; i.e., anger, or malice?
B. Is it rooted in some unclean or blasphemous thought, as in words pertaining to sexual impurity or taking God’s name in vain?
C. Will it edify or offend those who hear it?

If it is not said for a malicious or impure reason, and nobody’s offended - I see no problem with saying it.
And I’d make an exception for offending people if I’m trying to get their attention and that sort of speech is neccessary.