Reading to My Students and I Used the Lord's Name in Vain

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HopefulShepherd

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I am a 7th grade Language Arts teacher, and I read a lot of texts out loud to my students, some of which use offensive language. There is one book in particular that deals with slavery and the Jim Crow era. This book uses the “N word” numerous times, and I always say the word when reading, because it’s important to the story. We’ve been reading a book about bullying as a school-wide initiative, and because it was given to us last minute, I decided to just read the book with the students and experience it with them (the book is meant to spark conversation, not be used for literary purposes). Today as I was reading, there was one part when a kid said something to the effect of, “Jesus Christ, that is annoying.” Because I hadn’t read this before, I had about half a second to decide whether or not I should read it out loud, and I did. Now I am regretting saying it out loud, because it’s using the Lord’s name in vain. Did I sin? I appreciate any help. Thanks.
 
No, you did not sin. However, you should explain to your students that it is very much not appropriate for them to use the kind of language that they may read in popular fiction. So many people think: “If I read it in a book, it must be correct.”
 
I think you did, but if you were not believing it to be at the time, than you were not.
 
HopefulShepherd said:
I am a 7th grade Language Arts teacher, and I read a lot of texts out loud to my students, some of which use offensive language. There is one book in particular that deals with slavery and the Jim Crow era. This book uses the “N word” numerous times, and I always say the word when reading, because it’s important to the story. We’ve been reading a book about bullying as a school-wide initiative, and because it was given to us last minute, I decided to just read the book with the students and experience it with them (the book is meant to spark conversation, not be used for literary purposes). Today as I was reading, there was one part when a kid said something to the effect of, “Jesus Christ, that is annoying.” Because I hadn’t read this before, I had about half a second to decide whether or not I should read it out loud, and I did. Now I am regretting saying it out loud, because it’s using the Lord’s name in vain. Did I sin? I appreciate any help. Thanks.
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How can you read a book out loud and edit it at the same time? I don’t think that was a sin, you were not saying it yourself, but reading a character’s words in a book. You didn’t write the book, and you didn’t say it after you stopped reading. What was your sin?
 
I think we need to delve deeper into what exactly is sinful about saying a word or a phrase.

It is certainly not sinful because of the vocal patterns.

It must have something or other to do with intent.

I doubt you have sinned.
 
I say it was not a sin, but I did feel wary of using the Lord’s name in vain, when I was reading lines from A Streetcar Named Desire in school.
The Lord’s name should only be used in praise.
 
Well I would not read “GD” out loud, period. I just couldn’t say it. But I can’t think of a book I’d allow into my classroom that included those words ('m not currently a teacher). I’d have to find some other book. It’s not as easy to avoid the expletive, “Jesus Christ!” but I would definitely talk to the kids about that term’s meaning and impact.

Those words aren’t in classic literature often. Current junk, yes.
 
PaulfromIowa said:
No, you did not sin. However, you should explain to your students that it is very much not appropriate for them to use the kind of language that they may read in popular fiction. So many people think: “If I read it in a book, it must be correct.”
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Exactomundo. Great teaching moment opportunity.
 
TheRealJuliane said:
Well I would not read “GD” out loud, period. I just couldn’t say it. But I can’t think of a book I’d allow into my classroom that included those words ('m not currently a teacher). I’d have to find some other book. It’s not as easy to avoid the expletive, “Jesus Christ!” but I would definitely talk to the kids about that term’s meaning and impact.

Those words aren’t in classic literature often. Current junk, yes.
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Well, there is Mark Twain. There’s “of Mice and Men”, “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter”, “the Bluest Eye”.

I’m sure there are many, many classic works with foul language.
 
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