A rose by any other name.
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 2 comments link this postHow important is our language, as Christians? I can get pretty careless, and have been known to let loose a string of cuss words. I feel nothing but guilt afterwards, though, because I know that is not right.
I've read and been involved in lots of discussions in which the topic has been discussed. I've seen people use passages that Paul wrote as proof that we can be crude, that we don't have to be so antiquated and stodgy. I've seen plenty of arguments for not being so legalistic.
But I know. I know, inside, that language matters.
Here's another discussion about the matter. Read the comments section of this post, in which I find myself debating the use of "soft" curse words. What are your thoughts?
Labels: christianity, discussion, language
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 12/26/2007 12:39:00 AM
Like this post? Subscribe to the feed.
Help support this site.
Facebook |
Stumble It! |
Del.icio.us |
DiggIt! |
Technorati |
Blinklist |
Furl |
reddit |
Newsvine
2 Comments:
As you correctly point out in the thread you referenced, the words themselves are merely symbols, but they betray an emotion behind them that can scarcely be Christlike. Frequently they impede, rather than enhance, our message.
I also agree with you regarding trying to soften curse words by using forms that imply the curse word without actually using it. It's pointless--the improper emotion is still conveyed. I recall a situation, when I was working with TC, when a fellow counselor was discussing a student's use of profanity, and felt it necessary to start using initials so that I would know exactly what was being said. First of all, telling me exactly what had been said was unnecessary at all; secondly, what the difference was, between using profanity and using initials that conveyed exactly the same thing, I have no idea.
Since none of us are native Koine Greek speakers, I'm very dubious regarding claims that Paul's language in certain spots (one or two out of all his writings, I should point out) is equivalent to modern swearing, and thus indicates approval for profanity in general. We have no idea whether the language Paul uses conveyed the emotional connotation that profanity does to us. For instance, even if he uses a word meaning "dung" where we would prefer "rubbish" (because in our sanitized society, dung isn't something that those of us not living on a farm have to deal with much, so we don't like any reference to it), it doesn't mean that Paul's word for "dung" had the emotional connotation that would be conveyed by other words we have for the same thing.
By 
Keith Schooley, at
December 26, 2007 9:35 AM
I agree, words matter. We have become a cruder, crasser people. The struggle, in the face of the daily onslaught of profanity, soft or hard, that passes for discourse, is to avoid falling into that pattern.
Having said that, words can be used in a very hurtful manner without ever once resorting to cussing. In the end it's about the person using language, whether proper or laced with profanity, not the language itself.
Ultimately, it comes down to what is in your heart and soul.
By Rey, at
December 26, 2007 9:36 AM
