tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892445584591819741.post2731932771081453817..comments2023-04-17T09:19:20.947-07:00Comments on the beginning of wisdom: why swearing is dumb for christiansjen wilkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02934053593868428344noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892445584591819741.post-89946801271059539862013-09-02T00:07:41.119-07:002013-09-02T00:07:41.119-07:00I've always loved this story about a preacher ...I've always loved this story about a preacher who started a sermon with this:<br /><br />"I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."<br /><br />This, to me, is a great example of a good, non-lazy use of "profanity."Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17679063995953399932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892445584591819741.post-46892668150607746182013-08-27T07:45:57.648-07:002013-08-27T07:45:57.648-07:00Hi Dan, we actually agree on this. A word is only ...Hi Dan, we actually agree on this. A word is only as profane as its cultural context. But as believers, we are beholden to be sensitive to that context. If I know a word is contemptuous in my cultural context and I choose to use it anyway, have I not embraced the unwholesome talk Paul warns of? My post does not make the argument that one culture should trump another culture at all, nor did I say "This specific word is bad, no matter what". I referenced a couple of examples from the culture of the vast majority of my readers.jen wilkinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02934053593868428344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892445584591819741.post-12721229313732545452013-08-27T07:33:32.361-07:002013-08-27T07:33:32.361-07:00But what if my definition of profanity is complete...But what if my definition of profanity is completely different than your definition? What if I am brought up in a culture where "FUchsia" is okay to say but "meany-head" is shockingly offensive? I don't think you can make blanket statements to say "This specific word is bad no matter what." Go to Europe and you'll words Americans still (sort of) consider bad used as common and inoffensive speech. We are bound to the Word of God in all that we do, including loving our neighbor and understanding the culture, not just trying to act like our culture trumps someone else's culture. Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13762314199762958870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892445584591819741.post-13499256716482139762013-08-26T11:41:53.813-07:002013-08-26T11:41:53.813-07:00Great post. I love the line, "Profanity is th...Great post. I love the line, "Profanity is the hatchling of anger, incubated in contempt." If ok with you, I will use that gong forward and give you credit. Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11789960933268526952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892445584591819741.post-90126890036576777892010-09-01T15:23:45.102-07:002010-09-01T15:23:45.102-07:00I have long heard those "positive" argum...I have long heard those "positive" arguments for use of profanity in Christian circles and have struggled to articulate what conviction/clarity on the topic I felt the Holy Spirit impress upon me. Thank you for addressing this. Your words resonated deeply.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892445584591819741.post-39061059917506908312010-08-17T20:54:00.804-07:002010-08-17T20:54:00.804-07:00Well said, Jen! I was really convicted about this ...Well said, Jen! I was really convicted about this in the James study, when we learned that friendship with the world is enmity with God. Swearing is not conducive to improving our witness. This realization has certainly helped me to make changes in my speech. Thanks for sharing this!Kellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16349575718114104013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892445584591819741.post-28956222295788281472010-08-16T15:20:04.038-07:002010-08-16T15:20:04.038-07:00Thanks for writing about this Jen! Your point #4 r...Thanks for writing about this Jen! Your point #4 really stands out to me. For a long time I'm not sure where I have stood on this issue. I had a bible professor in college tell me that Phil 3:8 the word that we typically translate as "rubbish" was more like the "colorful" version of dog poopoo. Your post reminds me that I need to (re)consider into this issue!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046730666413165626noreply@blogger.com