Swearing in Acting

[Kxc12]

Is it sinful to swear or use the Lord’s name in vain during acting or a theatrical production? Im involved in one and my character occasionally does this. The play does not glorify swearing or anything like that, but it comes up a couple of times. Thanks for all replies

 

[DaveBj]

I would think not. It’s not you personally doing it; it’s the character. In the novel I’m writing, I have one of my characters swearing a lot, but that’s because I’m trying to paint him as a an unsympathetic character. I personally do not swear.

By analogy, we are not supposed to lie, but Sacred Scriptures contain passages in which people tell lies.

DaveBj

 

[The_Reginator]

I am not an actor.
But I know that I would refuse to use the Lord’s name in vain.
(My French teacher never did get me to say “Oh mon D----”.)
You can ask a priest for his opinion.
One way of looking at it is as a form of witness. Show everyone that not swearing (using the Lord’s name in vain) is so important that you’ll even jeopardize your acting.
Well, there’s my :twocents:

 

[chessmane4e5]

Yeah, this is a tough one.

To take it to the extreme, what if you one day have an acting role that requires you to be naked and to simulate a sex scene. Kissing, touching, etc. Since you are only acting, is it wrong?

Personally, I would not be comfortable doing it.

 

[stringbeanduck]

Still I can bring my work most anywhere I spend a lot of time doing a lot of it at church. So when I saw this thread come up and went over to my Priest’s office to ask him and his response was: **Yes **it is still a sin to use the Lord’s name in vain even in the acting. We should always use the Lords name with respect and reverence. By saying His name in vain for whatever reason, unless by accident, is a sin.

 

[RachelKH]

My son was in plays in high school and refused to swear because why should he say words that he felt were inappropriate to use himself ever. The teacher was ok with it, though he did hassle him a little over it. I was very proud of him standing up for what is right. I was shocked and dismayed by another very nice Catholic boy swearing and using other offensive words in another play, when he could have easily substituted over strong words that would not be sinning.