How to respond to those taking the Lord's name in vain?

[bmaj]

It has been my experience in the past that those that need to punctuate their statements/comments with profanity really have little to constructively contribute. Those that take that step farther and take the Lords name in vain somehow always end up somewhere outside my listening area, I immediately tune them out and will move on directing my conversation with those others that may be present. Should I be in a one on one with that person I will quickly end the conversation without dressing that person down for their choice of words, although sometimes I really would like to tell them what I think.

Unfortunately todays culture seems to be adopting an attitude that a certain amount of profanity is acceptable. Certain words are commonly used as is evident while watching almost anything on television and all you hear is the censor beeping.

Fully agree with you, FaithfulKnight. Wise move on avoidance, too. That’s hard for me to do, though, when in a small group with family members using the language. I think I need to become more assertive.
It’s so sad that today’s culture (apparently predominantly the Hollywood and television portions) has pushed the profanity upon us with such a vengeance. They don’t even bother to censor out some of them anymore.
Thanks for the response, and God’s blessings always to you!

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I’ve noticed in the work force that those who use offensive language (taking the Lord’s name in vain/ foul language/or both) do not seem to advance up the career ladder as quickly as those who don’t, if at all. It may be that this is one factor taken into account in the interview process for many promotional opportunities. When I have been part of various teams interviewing candidates in the past, I know it has weighed heavily in my considerations. Since children always learn to follow our example in the home, we’ve tried to keep our language in check as often as possible so that they too would be vigilant of theirs, both when they’re young and as they in turn enter the workforce. Even if they’re not in the same room, they often hear conversations between us as parents when we don’t think they do (and wish they hadn’t), so it can be a real challenge! With the world’s economy today and likely the future, it might be something to keep in mind to give our children that little something extra over someone else in the very large pool of candidates in either getting hired in the first place or advancing in their careers.
Thanks so mujch to everyone for taking the time to respond, and God bless!

Hmmm On a certain level I absolutely agree. Someone who cannot articulate in an interview without swearing is unhireable. And in general in the service industry swearing indicates a lack of judgement. But higher up, in business, and on the golf course where business deals are made, swearing is very much a part of every day business. In fact very few of the CEO’s would have a “no swearing” policy. Mark Cuban, Donald Trump, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates are quite proficient at the four letter words. The President of the USA has let fly with an expletive or two, not to mention Rahm Emmanuel, et al.

My wife is a scientist for a large company. In the lab there are few swear words, perhaps due to the influence of Russians, Asians and others that keeps the conversation to a minimum. On the business side however, be it in the accounting department or a rep trying to sell a multi-million dollar piece of equipment, salty language is indeed the industry standard.

Which is why I think drawing a line at blaspheme can be a powerful stand. I used to work with a ton of mormons, swearing would not be common. But sometimes when these people would take a stand about swearing they were looked at a prude or odd. But when someone can let fly some language that makes truckers blush, then demands that the Lord’s name is respected, it makes people think about why.

 

[bmaj]

Hmmm On a certain level I absolutely agree. Someone who cannot articulate in an interview without swearing is unhireable. And in general in the service industry swearing indicates a lack of judgement. But higher up, in business, and on the golf course where business deals are made, swearing is very much a part of every day business. In fact very few of the CEO’s would have a “no swearing” policy. Mark Cuban, Donald Trump, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates are quite proficient at the four letter words. The President of the USA has let fly with an expletive or two, not to mention Rahm Emmanuel, et al.

My wife is a scientist for a large company. In the lab there are few swear words, perhaps due to the influence of Russians, Asians and others that keeps the conversation to a minimum. On the business side however, be it in the accounting department or a rep trying to sell a multi-million dollar piece of equipment, salty language is indeed the industry standard.

Which is why I think drawing a line at blaspheme can be a powerful stand. I used to work with a ton of mormons, swearing would not be common. But sometimes when these people would take a stand about swearing they were looked at a prude or odd. But when someone can let fly some language that makes truckers blush, then demands that the Lord’s name is respected, it makes people think about why.

Since I’ve never had to participate in the hiring of anyone near the level of a CEO, I wouldn’t know if language would matter that high up on the career ladder for some businesses or not. It’s very sad that on a secular level it’s so common in certain lines of work, though. On the other hand, I think most of our own kids would not be competing for job positions anywhere near CEO level at this point in their lives, if ever, so I would think it might be more prudent for us as parents to try to teach them by example how to speak without using offensive language for so many reasons. If anything, it might help them obtain a job much quicker and not be left living with us, their parents, well into their 30’s or 40’s!!!

 

[truetofaith]

It has been my experience in the past that those that need to punctuate their statements/comments with profanity really have little to constructively contribute. Those that take that step farther and take the Lords name in vain somehow always end up somewhere outside my listening area, I immediately tune them out and will move on directing my conversation with those others that may be present. Should I be in a one on one with that person I will quickly end the conversation without dressing that person down for their choice of words, although sometimes I really would like to tell them what I think.

Unfortunately todays culture seems to be adopting an attitude that a certain amount of profanity is acceptable. Certain words are commonly used as is evident while watching almost anything on television and all you hear is the censor beeping.

You’re right…& it’s a d_ _ _ shame! Seriously, I would be ashamed to use any profanity in public, especially in front of millions of tv viewers.

 

[CradleJourney]

Using the word, God in any manner but a religious or respectful way is a sin…perhaps venial. Would you use your mother’s name or title in a careless manner? Give the same respect to God.

When someone says something shocking, I say …"Oh WOW! My friends would always tease me & repeat it.

Still don’t quite get it … never fully understood the word “god” to only refer to “God” as in a proper name, but it’s an easy enough thing to fix, so I will.

And as I’m understanding it, there is some debate whether profanity - the popular exclamations regarding bodily functions is sinful or simply poor taste / culturally offensive?

And exclamations that do not directly use the name of the Lord (God / Jesus) and do not use what is considered profanity in our society are, in fact, acceptable? Aka - Fudge! Dangit! Pumpernickel! :

 

[truetofaith]

Still don’t quite get it … never fully understood the word “god” to only refer to “God” as in a proper name, but it’s an easy enough thing to fix, so I will.

And as I’m understanding it, there is some debate whether profanity - the popular exclamations regarding bodily functions is sinful or simply poor taste / culturally offensive?

And exclamations that do not directly use the name of the Lord (God / Jesus) and do not use what is considered profanity in our society are, in fact, acceptable? Aka - Fudge! Dangit! Pumpernickel! :

Sexual exclamations may cause another person to have impure thoughts therefore I believe they are also sinful.

 

[dedo]

I usually don’t say anything and am silent. So I don’t respond. There are a couple reasons for that.

First, the person may be making just that one mistake, and otherwise be ahead of me in terms of living a Godly life.

Second, I believe our role in evangelization is to get others to “show up”, go to church, and seek God on their own. Dealing with personal vices is the job of their priest. Jesus will illuminate areas where we need to improve when people seek Him. A person who does “show up” may see this issue come up in a sermon, a CD, a Bible passage etc., and he / she will then see why this is important.

The last time I found out something I need to improve on was the last three times I “showed up” to a church service.

One of these services illuminated a key mistake I had been making.

If I had not shown up, I likely would not have seen it, and I may have undermined my career.

Once I asked a very successful person how he accomplished what he did, and his answer was “training”. This was important for me to hear, and I heed this advice by getting training whether it is formal training, or on my own initiative. Many experts in life are self taught.

However, if I was going to tell someone the same thing it would be that I never stopped “showing up” to church, so at those key areas in life where I was on the verge of taking the wrong turn, I was able to heed the person who “coincidentally” guided me away from bad life decisions such as quitting, or hanging out with a bad crowd etc.

So, no I don’t make an issue out of this, and just try to set the best example I can.

 

[bmaj]

I usually don’t say anything and am silent. So I don’t respond. There are a couple reasons for that.

First, the person may be making just that one mistake, and otherwise be ahead of me in terms of living a Godly life.

Second, I believe our role in evangelization is to get others to “show up”, go to church, and seek God on their own. Dealing with personal vices is the job of their priest. Jesus will illuminate areas where we need to improve when people seek Him. A person who does “show up” may see this issue come up in a sermon, a CD, a Bible passage etc., and he / she will then see why this is important.

The last time I found out something I need to improve on was the last three times I “showed up” to a church service.

One of these services illuminated a key mistake I had been making.

If I had not shown up, I likely would not have seen it, and I may have undermined my career.

Once I asked a very successful person how he accomplished what he did, and his answer was “training”. This was important for me to hear, and I heed this advice by getting training whether it is formal training, or on my own initiative. Many experts in life are self taught.

However, if I was going to tell someone the same thing it would be that I never stopped “showing up” to church, so at those key areas in life where I was on the verge of taking the wrong turn, I was able to heed the person who “coincidentally” guided me away from bad life decisions such as quitting, or hanging out with a bad crowd etc.

So, no I don’t make an issue out of this, and just try to set the best example I can.

You make some good points there, dedo. Thanks for sharing, and God bless.