Is Cussing at something a sin?

[guanophore]

Language needs context to be either good or bad, you can’t just blanket statement things.

I guess we should have references such as this one:

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. Eph. 4:29

Just removed from the record? It is such a blanket statement!

For instance, if were to stub my toe walking into church and I yelled the F word, that would be way inappropriate, and probably venially sinful

While I do agree that certain behaviors we might engage outside of Church are not appropriate inside the Church, why would there be a different moral standard? In fact, if we judged all of our actions by the standard of doing them in front of the blessed sacrament, perhaps our culture would have a restoration of dignity and respect!

How are we, as believers, to be light and salt to the world if we do not demonstrate the same righteous behavior outside of the sanctuary as we do inside it?

 

[Laura_N]

2162 is about blasphemy, which is not the same thing, and the other one:

2480 Every word or attitude is forbidden which by flattery, adulation, or complaisance encourages and confirms another in malicious acts and perverse conduct. Adulation is a grave fault if it makes one an accomplice in another’s vices or grave sins. Neither the desire to be of service nor friendship justifies duplicitous speech. Adulation is a venial sin when it only seeks to be agreeable, to avoid evil, to meet a need, or to obtain legitimate advantages.

Is still not about cussing. At no point have I ever seen the catechism, or anything else say “saying these specific words are sinful.” I’ve seen people’s opinions on it, but there is not a specific teaching.

 

[Laura_N]

The difference is in a church setting some people might be offended by the language, where as on a construction site I’m not going to offend anybody by my language.

If using cussing words was actually a sin in and of itself, then yes it would be a sin no matter where it was said.

 

[FrDavid96]

2162 is about blasphemy, which is not the same thing,

2162 The second commandment forbids every improper use of God’s name…

Every means every.

The paragraph continues and talks about blasphemy, which is a particular type of misuse of God’s name.

 

[FrDavid96]

Is still not about cussing. At no point have I ever seen the catechism, or anything else say “saying these specific words are sinful.” I’ve seen people’s opinions on it, but there is not a specific teaching.

That’s simply not true.

It’s also changing the standard. Foul language is still sinful even in the absence of some imaginary list of forbidden words.

 

[exnihilo]

The difference is in a church setting some people might be offended by the language, where as on a construction site I’m not going to offend anybody by my language.

I agree with this for non profane or curse words. The s word and f word at a construction site, or in higher levels at corporations or government isn’t generally offensive. One argument against saying them could be that if people hear Christians using them they’d think less of Christians and Christianity. But some of that notion is likely inspired by Puritanism.

 

[Ioana]

No offense but I think there will be a hard time manifesting the fruits of the Spirit if nobody wants to spend time with you because you sound super arrogant everytime you speak. For comprison, it is a bit like using “sir” and “m’am” with your friends. Your way of talking will quickly be pointed out. After all I won’t speak in rapid-fire English with somebody who doesn’t know it well or if somebody has a very clear country accent in my own language I’ll feel bad using my pompous usual accent and naturally change my speech to be closer to the person I’m talking to.

I met a person my age once and there was a bit of a difference in region and social status between us so we were a bit hesitant at first. As soon as we started using a bit of “yo’s” (closest translation possible but still inaccurate since in English that is a very “street” style) and mild expressions that could’ve been cursing or not and yes even one or two things that were outright profanity (nothing to do with the sacred) we warmed and opened up. He commented “You know when I heard about you I was like ‘Yo ok she’s from X take it easy with her, be a bit more formal’ but you are actually relaxed/easy to talk to and also I like that we don’t use profanity to much because I find it obnoxious but it’s not good to stay too formal either.”

I ended up talking about Catholicism with him and he was actually curious about certain things like the Immaculate Conception. So I disagree, in most languages and cultures of the world I’d say a certain milder level of profanity has a role of bonding, of saying “we are not in a formal situation” of saying “we can talk”. Denying this is hard. In fact this same friend noticed I don’t use profanity to do with religion and even said “You need to relax a bit about that”. I denied but my point is here is the way this guy currently sees me (or so it seems): “She’s a nice friend, yeah she doesn’t drink and has some different values to mine but she is fun to be around me and her religion is not pretentious and maybe even a bit interesting although different from the norm.”

Now imagine I had kept that super formal attitude, nu cussing, no casual semi-cussing expressions, etc. What would he think of me and Catholicism by extension? Pretentious, unsociable minority rich city-folk nonsense. Maybe he wouldn’t have had that idea but I’d say the risk would’ve been high. So no profanity isn’t about not caring about sharing the fruits of the Spirit, in many situations it is simply healthy social awareness. Can profanity be used inappropriately or excessively? Yes. Is that always the case? No. I have given a concrete example in which social awareness was necessary and may have had positive effects on this guy. Don’t imagine we were cursing like sailors or something but we weren’t shying away from it either when it was appropriate. The more human you seem whilst still trying to not sin the more the other person will be interested in you (“Ah so you go to Mass? Man that is a bit unusual”) but if you seem to have a “holier than thou” attitude you’ll push people away.

 

[Spyridon]

even though there’s priests who say it’s sinful, I’ve had my personal confessors tell me it isn’t

If a Priest told me it was perfectly acceptable to go around dropping f bombs and it wasn’t sinful at all, I’d be finding a new Confessor.

 

[Ioana]

Fair enough. As far as I’ve read the justification for profanity being a sin is that we should use our words for good things: eg building up relationships and the good name of Christ and his Church. The thing is I don’t see how profanity hinders action A or action B. It tends to have the potential to help form A when used within the appropriate context to increase comfort and it thus by extension has a minimal indirect positive effect on B since A causes B.

 

[guanophore]

No offense but I think there will be a hard time manifesting the fruits of the Spirit if nobody wants to spend time with you because you sound super arrogant everytime you speak.

This is a warped perspective. Refraining from using foul language does not equate to “sounding super arrogant” You make it sound like a person needs to cuss to fit in with society.

So I disagree, in most languages and cultures of the world I’d say a certain milder level of profanity has a role of bonding, of saying “we are not in a formal situation” of saying “we can talk”.

If we cannot find a way to bond with others without using debase language, something is wrong with our bonding. Do you think this was how Jesus “bonded” with people?!

if you seem to have a “holier than thou” attitude you’ll push people away.

I agree, but why does using uplifting language need to be practiced with such an attitude?

If a person chooses to use beneficial words, as the scripture directs, they they are arrogant?! Something is very bent here!

 

[Ioana]

You speak English. I agree English is different. In my language not cussing at all IS like using sirs and mams. If this lad noticed himself I don’t use religion tied profanity that is a clear sign that people do notice.

 

[guanophore]

The thing is I don’t see how profanity hinders… It tends to have the potential to help

I suppose that is between your soul, and God. If He wants to lead you to a better way of expressing yourself, He will do so. If a person wants to cling to using profanity, it may be harder for the Holy Spirit to work such a transformation, but that is part of the sanctification process, becoming less like the world, and more conformed to Christ.

 

[Laura_N]

Which is not the same as cussing. Taking the Lords name in vain and blasphemy are sinful, but that’s not the same as using cuss words.

What is considered foul language is cultural, so it’s entirely subjective.

 

[Laura_N]

Well, that’s been about 4 different ones. Ever actually asked your priest if it was a sin or not? Because everyone I’ve known who has has gotten the same response I have.

 

[Spyridon]

Funny, I’ve seen multiple priests say it is.

 

[guanophore]

What is considered foul language is cultural, so it’s entirely subjective.

So that makes doing it not a problem?

 

[Teek]

Ok I’m not from an American culture. Over here the line between what is acually profanity and what is not is a bit blurred. I’m going to assume it is very probable that you are not from an only English-speaking household either (in my experience they don’t cuss at objects as much). In my head the first thing I thought when I read this is “Obviously not!” I mean I see literally no harm to your character or to anybody that comes from doing that (unless you used profanity to do with the faith which is different). Let us be realistic, … If anybody disagrees (I read over some people here disagreeing over this) I’m actually non-ageessivley curious to be told why logically. Anyhow Merry Christmas to everyone .

I actually wondered if anyone would bring this up. I’m actually from the United States. I had been teaching my kids to avoid foul language because I consider it sinful. Then I met my brother-in-law from Australia.

He thinks it’s weird that we think it’s bad. The words we avoid are just normal vocabulary there, in a lot of ways. A lot of words that once were vulgar or insulting, here, no longer are. So I wonder about this, as well.

I agree that it is a venial sin. If it is in anger, then maybe it is because of the lack of self control. If it is to insult someone—it is sinful because the desire to insult is a sin against charity. And if it is to hurt someone the ill-will involved is probably a mortal sin.

However, if those words are a normal part of everyday language where you are from…how is that a personal sin?

My son’s 4th grade teacher wouldn’t let them use the word “nice” because it used to not be…nice.

I think that people in the United States having this conversation are talking about a different playing field than in some other countries. People in other countries may have a whole different cultural norm.

To profane what is sacred: sinful no matter who you are or where you are. To insult or hurt another: sinful no matter who you are or where you are. To lose control to emotions: sinful no matter who you are or where you are. Taking the Lord’s name in vain: sinful no matter who you are or where you are.

Intent is a huge part of what makes certain individual words wrong.

 

[FrDavid96]

What is considered foul language is cultural, so it’s entirely subjective.

That does not mean it is not-sinful.

It’s still a sin.

All language is cultural. Just because it changes from place-to-place does not make eliminate it as sinful when it happens.

 

[Laura_N]

I think that people in the United States having this conversation are talking about a different playing field than in some other countries. People in other countries may have a whole different cultural norm.

To profane what is sacred: sinful no matter who you are or where you are. To insult or hurt another: sinful no matter who you are or where you are. To lose control to emotions: sinful no matter who you are or where you are. Taking the Lord’s name in vain: sinful no matter who you are or where you are.

Intent is a huge part of what makes certain individual words wrong.

This is exactly the point I was trying to get across. What constitutes as foul will vary from person to person and place to place.

The OPs example was cussing your internet. According to some people here sayin “Ugh, this stupid wifi is so slow” would be perfectly acceptable, whereas saying “Ugh, this s*****y wifi is so slow” would be a sin, even though you basically said the exact same thing.

What matters is what you say in full, not necessarily the words you chose to get there. There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in Church teaching that says that individual words are sinful. It’s society that decides what words are appropriate for which situations.

 

[Brendan_64]

Yes, I would that it is probably a sin, but probably venial unless the Lord’s name is used in vain. Profanities are probably.venial in most cases, I would think, but using the Lord’s name in such circumstances is probably more serious, I would think.