Is swearing always a sin?

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Being a teenager, even though I go to a Catholic school, many of my friends, and me sometimes occasionally swear. Nothing too terrible, but sometimes the occasion four-letter word. Some occasionally take The Lord’s name in vain, but not many and not too often. My main question is, if you are mad, and you take the Lord’s name in vain once or twice, is it a mortal sin? Also, do words such as “shut up” count as swears?
 
You’re going to get a lot of different answers and opinions here.

Mine for example, well, I’m from a country where causal swearing is like the norm. Four letter words that start with S are really very common in conversation, the F word is still a bit naughty, the c word is still pretty much off limits. But things like “b@stard” and “bugger” and “@rse” are even said by our news presenters in early evening programming.

The Lord’s name is taken in vain a lot down here. I’m a big fan of free speech, but I am no fan of that abuse of free speech.

But then for a sin to be mortal, its got to have the three thingies, consent, full knowledge and grave matter. Taking the Lord’s name is very serious thing indeed, consent is pretty much a no brainer given no one is forcing people to swear with the Lord’s name, but full knowledge is where most people will trip up. I know lots of people who think Jesus Christ is truly a swear word, they dont’ know much about Christianity (secular nation is New Zealand) and I’ve gotten into debates over Jesus Christ’s name! So for those people, they dont’ have full knowledge that what they’re doing is wrong, so it’s probably not a moral sin.

But Catholic school kids, they should know better, so I’d wager, that taking the Lord’s name as a swear, is a mortal sin.

Anyway, part of being Christian is behaving like a Christian. and I dont’ think having a potty mouth is very Christian.
 
coolcatholicguy said:
My main question is, if you are mad, and you take the Lord’s name in vain once or twice, is it a mortal sin?
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If you’re not doing it deliberately, with premeditated intention, then no. Still bad, but venial.
coolcatholicguy said:
Also, do words such as “shut up” count as swears?
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No. They might play a role in being rude or disrespectful, but that’s a different matter entirely.

Also, search the “Ask An Apologist” forum. You’ll find some good answers in there. 🙂
 
I’ve wondered what counts as a sin. I know Paul says not to swear and use offensive language, but what counts as offensive?

If I’m with my friends and I use the occasional swear word and no one is offended, is that wrong? You could say that God hears, and maybe He’s offended, but does that mean He decides what’s a swear and what’s not? If not, why would some random word that we come up with and decide is offensive be offensive to God?
 
coolcatholicguy said:
Being a teenager, even though I go to a Catholic school, many of my friends, and me sometimes occasionally swear. Nothing too terrible, but sometimes the occasion four-letter word. Some occasionally take The Lord’s name in vain, but not many and not too often. My main question is, if you are mad, and you take the Lord’s name in vain once or twice, is it a mortal sin? Also, do words such as “shut up” count as swears?
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Maybe, maybe not.
 
coolcatholicguy said:
Being a teenager, even though I go to a Catholic school, many of my friends, and me sometimes occasionally swear. Nothing too terrible, but sometimes the occasion four-letter word. Some occasionally take The Lord’s name in vain, but not many and not too often. My main question is, if you are mad, and you take the Lord’s name in vain once or twice, is it a mortal sin? Also, do words such as “shut up” count as swears?
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For the most part, what word may or may not be used in various contexts depends on culture. There are no particular words that are evil per se to pronounce. Rather, it’s the meanings or effects of the words that may make them sinful to use in various situations.

For example, if I shouted “Oh my God, when I’m shocked, that would be disrespectful toward God, and thus evil. If, on the other hand, I say “Oh my God…” when beginning the Act of Contrition, I’m not disrespecting God, and thus, not sinning.

For many words, society has decided that because these words are strong, they are offensive. People will be generally offended in the US if you shout “f@@k”, but in other cultures it’s no big deal because not as much significance has been attached to it. The word “humbug” used to be considered profanity, yet people would probably laugh at you, rather than be offended, if you use it.

Basically, respect God and other human beings, and reflect that respect and consideration in your words. It is a sin to disrespect the Supreme Being. Also, avoid using words in correct contexts in your culture. Don’t use words that will offend others in your culture if you don’t need to.
 
To me, swearing takes away from our witness. Even the more common profanities like the “S” word can affect how others perceive us. As Christians we’re supposed to be the “salt of the earth”, and the air pollution that is profanity takes away from our “saltiness.” St. Paul says to avoid “crude and obscene speech”, because it is not becoming of a Christian. I would recommend not swearing at all, especially using the Lord’s name impurely.
 
Is saying the occasional “s” word or “f” word considered a mortal sin. A couple months ago in school Iessed up and said the “d” word almost before I noticed it.
 
**** Satan and his 48% of the world. **** the majority of Western philosophy and science, the product of the devil. America the Great Whore will fall.

78% of the Bible is false factually anyway. It’s a flawless moral teacher about the failures of mankind.
 
coolcatholicguy said:
Is saying the occasional “s” word or “f” word considered a mortal sin. A couple months ago in school Iessed up and said the “d” word almost before I noticed it.
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I don’t think it is a sin to curse enemies of Christ. I don’t think it’s a sin to smoke marijuana. I don’t think it’s a sin to smoke tobacco, health permitting. I don’t think it’s a sin to take magic mushrooms. I don’t think it’s a sin to drink beer in college. I don’t think it’s a sin to drink two glasses of wine a week. I don’t think it’s a sin to listen to certain forms of music. I don’t think it’s a sin to be wealthy since the 1800’s post-Industrialization, although one must be careful to ensure one’s wealth does not corrupt. Sin is simply defying God so just be in communication with God, it’s not schizophrenia :rolleyes:
 
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