The Question Of Swearing
Swearing. Why is it considered so bad?
I mean, its just words. Isn't it? Or is it? All swear words I can think of are basically crude slang words for body parts, or bodily functions. So what makes some of these words socially unacceptable, and others are fine to use when teaching children, for example?
Evolution of language over time shows us words change meaning. If you don't believe me, read Shakespeare or a Kings James version of the Bible to see. Therefore, if words change meanings, this must mean some words are different to other people. Therefore the opinion of what constitutes a swear word is purely subjective. Should i be offended because a friend of mine uses what are considered swear words fairly frequently in her conversation? Should she change her use of language when communicating to or around me? Or should i let it go?
But if swearing is deeper than just use of words, then the heart and intentions behind the word are what makes swearing offensive. However, if this is the case then surely non swear words can become offensive weapons to wound. It must be possible to call someone "foolish" with just a venomous heart as using a more blunt Anglo-Saxon term. Jesus said that anyone who calls his brother a fool would be open to judgement - so is this suggesting that the issue is the word, or the intention?
Now, I know what some people will be thinking. And no, I don't swear that often. Nor do i consider it big and clever. But I'm asking myself this: Why don't I swear? Why don't I consider it a good thing? Am i just following a social construct, either because of my faith or class? I can't think of any Bible verse that condemns swearing. Sure, I can think of passages like James 3 that talk about language, but the application is much broader than swearing. I can also think of scriptures that talk about building people up with encouragement, but again the application is broader than using choice words.
Before anyone asks, no I can't imagine Jesus swearing. But why can't I? And this leads me back to my original question: Why?
Perhaps I'm missing something. Perhaps this is one of those odd questions in my head that are really just red herrings. But maybe not. If anyone has anything to share, please feel free. The question is this:
What constitutes swearing and why? Is it wrong, and why?
And I'm interested in all opinions and perspectives, not just Biblical or Christian ones.
15 Comments:
it's the intention behind ANY word that makes it offensive or not offensive.
hence when i call you a little bitch it's less offensive than when i call you a deluded bible-basher... :P
love from Guess Who
Man I've been banging on about this one for ages.
I think it's helpful and unhelpful.
Helpful because it's a great example of inherited thinking without thinking through the actual 'sin' involved and it has a handful of nifty 'but what abouts' that you can throw into the mix.
Unhelpful because it seems to be so emotive for christians and because often people think you're looking for an excuse to swear (for the record, I need no excuse).
On an unrelated note, I'm not sure this sentence is entirely correct (on a technical level, not on what you mean): 'It must be possible to call someone "foolish" with just a venomous heart as using a more blunt Anglo-Saxon term.'*
I personally think, however, that God should have just given us a list of words that we shouldn't use. Would've saved a lot of hassle.
*I (somewhat hilariously given that I'm pointing out your mistakes) didn't read the comment through before posting it the first time and made a technical error. Hur hur. Also, does this now qualify as the longest comment ever?
Wow! With your exgesis on socio-linguistics , societal norms and the collective consciousness, this blog is certainly pushing new boundries in the field of human knowledge...
I can think of a bible verse to give you, which would include a prohibition of swearing. But I choose not to share at this time, because I'm a £$^%£$%^*&^
I'm with Cat, who is obviously the anonymous one... what makes words swearing is the intention behind the word rather than the specific word. I remember having lengthy debates about this in my A Level English class, in which I totally disagreed with the tutor at the start, but by the end of it I could see he was right! The point being that I could say the word "love" with different intentions behind it and it becomes a totally different thing. That's my opinion anyway, words are words but it's whatever you put behind them that causes them to be offensive or inoffensive.
Also, I've often wondered the same things about swearing from a Christian perspective... and never thought it was a good idea purely because of reasons of building people up with encouragement and so on...
But yeah - a good question you have posed Mr Hilder!
helenwelen and nattywatty - you only knew it was me because you know i have to comment under anonymous..! it is NOT because i'm predictable at all.
Good to see the lively debate about Cats... sorry, 'anonymous' transparency in this area!
i dont think it glorifys god
I don't know whether this is something you've pondered Ant, but for me a swear word can sometimes not just be a word with aggression or wrong intent, but can sometimes just be a word that cheapens something.
That's why i don't like the F word. Not because I'm offended by it particularly, in fact in some films like Four weddings And A funeral, it was used to comic effect!!
I personally don't like that word normally because it cheapens what I (in my faith based worldview granted) see as something that is special.
This may shock some people, but as a male I don't want to F*** anybody, because that sounds so cheap, and if my future wife whoever she is said that to me, it would be a right turn off.
Swearing can be a big red herring that's for sure, but it always is hiding a deeper reality; my intention towards my brother/sister.
That's my ten penneth worth!!
Hi ant,
I too dislike swearing because it does not glorify God. the specific bible reference that comes to mind is Collosians 3:8
"But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."
Tobiwan's suggestion that it would have been far easier if God had just given us a list of words not to use just wouldnt have worked because man's sinful nature would lead us to just invent more words to use. You only have to look at how some words which used to be really nice words to use have been corrupted (The obvious example being "Gay")
I agree totally that its not the actual word used that is offensive but the intention behind the word. Swear words are Designed to offend, and I know people say its my choice to be offended, but I am actually not that easily offended but I do dislike the intention behind swearing.
Another issue to think about is the use of God, Jesus and Christ as common swear words. these are names which we as Christians use all the time, but hopefully in the correct context. These become offensive only when used in the wrong context ("in vain" as the bible puts it)
oh well I've rambled on for far too long.
byee Ant
Right then. I'm back!
What we're really getting to is this (which Ant has already stated): the meaning of words can change over time.
jm's point about the 'f' word (or 'f' bomb yo) is a good one, but what about when the word is no longer used in this context. Is it still cheapening something when it doesn't refer to it? Does it/would it eventually become acceptable to use a word one way but not in another?
I'm glad that kazz brought up context though. Surely this is the key. Your bible verse (so casually applied :P) tells us not to use filthy language. I'm 100% on board with that. But we now need to define filthy language. Believe it or not, my list comment was actually facetious. Once you understand how language works (or understand a little - it's a complicated business which I can't claim to understand fully) you see that words have different impacts on different audiences and in different contexts. Therefore the concept of a 'filthy' word or 'filthy' language becomes a fluid notion.
I've got some examples for you. Why wouldn't I?
- crap. Very acceptable word in most circles these days. My mother-in-law finds it offensive. Or 'filthy' if you like. I don't use the word in front of her but I have no qualms using it with friends.
- The same applies with my wife and the word bitch. In fact, she hates that word more than a lot of 'stronger' words.
- some people I know of find the word 'fart' offensive and teach their children to use alternatives.
- the french words meaning f*ck and kiss are the same. They depend on context. (try translating f*ck into french then back to english again using BabelFish)
- I know of a VERY 'offensive' english syllable that becomes completely acceptable once you add 'ry' to the end
But what do YOU think?
I can't see why some are trying to 'sail close to the wind' (as the saying goes.
The 'F' word shouldn't be in any Christians vocab as it cheapens and denigrates something that God intended to be beautiful.
Also why insist on using words that are considered to be 'not nice'.
Like the word 'crap', just because one can get away with using it why should you use it or is it because of an element of linguistic inability to express ones self?
As Christians we are to try and be Ambassadors of Christ and His word, not trying to see what we can get away with. Col 3: 8 alone (without other verses) indicates that if it is considered 'filthy' or 'crude' language we should refrain from using it.
What I'm talking about has absolutely nothing to do with trying to get away with anything.
There's absolutely no difference (in offence levels I mean) when I'm with friends between the words 'crap' and 'rubbish'. I think the better question to ask (or at least the more appropriate question) is 'why shouldn't I use the word crap in the appropriate context?'.
On the other point, I really don't understand the 'linguistic inability to express ones self' argument. If I can describe something as bad I can express myself. If I can express something as bad or poor I can express myself with slightly more interest. If I can describe something as bad, poor, rubbish, crap, stupid, heinous etc I am now able to express myself colourfully, intelligently and artistically with all sorts of connotations and nuances. How does knowing/using an extra word limit my vocabulary?
Maybe it would be preferable to move to using 1984 newspeak:
good/ungood (with the modifiers double and plus)?
Toby
i tend to agree with segments of peoples comments here and like all of you i have the right to use language or 'bad' language as and when i feel. Like Toby, i choose to use language that does not offend when in different company as a means of respecting others, i expect others to respect the fact that i use 'rude' words when i talk because there are/will be times when i am not able to restrain from using such words. I dont find swear words offensive unless directed at me in an offensive way. I think it comes down to respecting other peoples beliefs as well as upholding your own. Just because i believe some things are wrong does not mean that it is so. Should you be offended by somebody that has no intentions of offending? Should that person be more aware of people around them being offended? To some the word f*ck cheapens something special for them, but then these people wont use it when talking to or making love to thier partner so how/why does it cheapen it for them? if i spoke the word in their presence why would they immediately link what im saying to their own private sex life? i agree that people should not swear at someone if it used to insult the person or to 'slag off' others but why should someone not be able to express themselves through the use of words like f*ck? i sometimes find it a useful way to vent anger and to express to others how im feeling at the time. Bible verses are interpreted in many different ways by many different people. Who is interpreting them correctly? at the end of the day the sun goes down and most of us go to bed and sleep till the sun rises again! meaning..... isn't it dark in the middle of the night!? does anybody think it would be possible and/or a good idea to provide the whole world with 24hours a day sunlight? imagine that! i personally would hate it because i love the nightlife of many different places in this world!
ive no doubt i will see you all at the crossroads. (where im sure debates about swearing will be far from any kind of relevance!)
This be the longest comment ever now Toby! (he he he and i wrote debate!)
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