Is cussing a sin?

[wolflet7]

I believe it is, but a week or two ago one of my friends tried convincing me that it depends on how you cuss.  For example, if you were to say "Oh, look at that f-ing sidewalk" (stupid example, I know) then it is not a sin.  However, if you say "F-word you!" to somebody, then it is a sin.  I'm not sold on this idea at all.  What are you opinions?

[JohnDB]

The heart condition that causes you to want to degrade someone is very much a sin.

You can own that sin without any foul speech whatsoever.

Let's put it this way. "Raca" or empty head or modern: dummy is a mild insult. And in times past nothing was done about it. Name calling someone a Fool though could get charges brought against you and you would find yourself before the Sanhidrin answering those charges. So when Jesus called the Pharisees "You brood of vipers" or equivalent of "you all are Satan's " (their worst epithet) He wasn't going to get himself elected "Rabbi of the Year" by any means.

Coarse speech is not something that should be free flowing from your mouth. It really degrades you and not them. But being so pure of speech that you can't say "booger" is an extreme that will keep you on the "outside" of others willing to trust you either.

[JohnDB]

Oh yeah. One other thing.

1st and 2nd Samuel is a limryc that is rather coarse at times.

[Jon-Marc]

"Profanity is the effort of a simple mind trying to express itself forcefully." Author unknown--by me anyway.

I quit using profanity of any kind when I was 16 and found I had no more need for it. I never used it all that much anyway since neither of my parents did. I consider profanity (crass or offensive words) to be needed only by people with weak minds and a limited vocabulary in order to fill in where they lack the words.

Being part British, I do use the word "bloody", and I suppose that could be considered profanity or at least offensive to some.

I once knew a woman who said to her son when he called someone a "dummy", "Don't cuss." I have a nephew who told me that the word "backside", referring to one's posterior, was offensive to him. It seems that no matter what words you use, someone is going to be offended.

However, we are told not to take God's name in vain. If we're not praising His name in word or song or witnessing, then using His name would be sin. I find the use of "God", "Jesus", Christ", or "Jesus Christ" as profanity to be very offensive, and the "f" word runs a very close second to those--especially when "mother" is attached to it.

Why is such language necessary for some people? It has become such a habit for them that they use it without realizing they are. I've known people who, if you removed the profanity from their vocabulary, they would have very little to say. Some people might use profanity when they're angry, but others use it constantly--hardly saying a sentence with it. I have no desire to be around such people.

[DaveW]

"Profanity is the effort of a simple mind trying to express itself forcefully." Author unknown--by me anyway.

And I was taught (or at least they TRIED to teach me) that profanity was a sign of a limited vocabulary.  Anyone with that thought never met my grandfather.  He had a bigger cussing vocabulary than most people I knew had regular ones.  He often said he was just trying to keep up with his own dad who could cuss 90 miles an hour for 5 minutes without repeating himself.   That man was long gone before I was born so I do not know how accurate that was.   And my grandad was anything but "simple."

Anyway, what sin means is that it misses the mark or target of God's will. In that sense even the mental intent behind the words are as important as what actual words we use. So if someone (like my grandfather) just uses them as filler or adjectives I am sure it would not be as grave as someone using proper english words and having a ton of malice behind them.

[Carey]

I believe it is, but a week or two ago one of my friends tried convincing me that it depends on how you cuss.  For example, if you were to say "Oh, look at that f-ing sidewalk" (stupid example, I know) then it is not a sin.  However, if you say "F-word you!" to somebody, then it is a sin.  I'm not sold on this idea at all.  What are you opinions?

Although I very, very seldom use it, profanity can be okay, and it can be sinful.  I tend to agree with your friend, but would add one cautionary requirement: it there is any possibility that it may be overheard by one that may be offended, don't do it.

I would even excuse the example given where your friend categorized it as a sin, if there is no malice intended or received.  

A perhaps entertaining anecdote:

I had a rather educating experience in college on the difference between profanity and swearing.  One prof a few weeks in shocked the entire class.  Many had not done the assignment as we did not take it upon ourselves to read the outline.

At the end of class, the prof got one of us to read the outline, and he said,  "Now what does that mean?  Do the (profanity removed)ing assignment!!!"  (He was less concerned with with my cautionary requirement  )

There were gasps and then you could hear a pin drop.  The prof smiled, and from that point on we were often given displays of his penchant for profanity.

Then one day in his office I made the mistake of swearing,  using Hell out of context, if you will.  I thought nothing of it given the prof's foul mouth.

For the next ten minutes I got the lecture of my life, colorfully impregnated with profanity on the evils of swearing.

Hard to believe someone with such a foul mouth could be so spiritually pure.  I learned something that day.

Cheers,
Carey.

[Man_Of_Honor]

I believe it is, but a week or two ago one of my friends tried convincing me that it depends on how you cuss.  For example, if you were to say "Oh, look at that f-ing sidewalk" (stupid example, I know) then it is not a sin.  However, if you say "F-word you!" to somebody, then it is a sin.  I'm not sold on this idea at all.  What are you opinions?

Sounds like your friend is trying to bring excuses for a poor habit of his. Yes, profanity is a sin.

[Wycliffes_Shillelagh]

Cussing?  There's nothing that says so in the Bible.  It usually makes you look dumb, though. 

The Bible does say you shouldn't swear oaths or place curses on people, though.

Jarrod

[Man_Of_Honor]

Matthew 12:34-36: "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."


"With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way

[Man_Of_Honor]

Colossians 3:8

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.


James 3:10

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.


Ephesians 5:4

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

[wolflet7]

I think Man_Of_Honor brings up some very good points with those verses.  Imo, cussing is a sin, no matter what context it is used in.  Think of it this way; what would Jesus do?  I doubt he replied to the Pharisees with "I am the f***ing Son of God."  Doesn't seem like His swag.

[Wycliffes_Shillelagh]

Cussing does not equal Cursing.

Cussing is saying something crude.
Cursing is when you actively wish ill on someone.

See the difference?

[Man_Of_Honor]

Cussing does not equal Cursing.

Cussing is saying something crude.
Cursing is when you actively wish ill on someone.

See the difference?

In your opinion.

[wolflet7]

"Cussing is saying something crude"

In the Bible it tells us to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.

Hmm...

[DaveW]

But does the term "Unwholesome talk" mean the same thing to us that it did to the first century audience?  If not then it is not really applicable.

[wolflet7]

As I said before, would Jesus say it?  If He was sitting right next to you?

I also like to think about it this way; how will my words/actions benefit others?  The second greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to love your neighbor as yourself.  Now we would all like to be treated in different ways; for example, the way I would like to be treated might not be the way you would like to be treated, therefore I treat other people how THEY would like to be treated. 

In a nutshell, would Jesus say it, and how will this benefit others?

[Jon-Marc]

Cussing?  There's nothing that says so in the Bible.  It usually makes you look dumb, though. 

The Bible does say you shouldn't swear oaths or place curses on people, though.

Jarrod

It also says "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Ex. 20:7

I hear that so very much, and it's the one thing that offends me more than anything else. However, I've found that all it does when I ask people not to use God's name in that way is to anger them, and too often they cuss even worse just to spite me.

[OldDad]

"Cussing" is a cultural construct.

In most of the world, the word sh i t is simply a term used for excrement. I have heard pastors from Uganda use it while they were preaching.  But if you said "bloody" to them, they would think you were coarse and vulgar.

Speech that takes the Lord's name in vain, or speech that condemns others is wrong.

Anything else - depends on the culture.

[Carey]

Stumbled upon this this morning:

From Chaplains and Presidents of Colleges, in almost every case, author Tony Campola received letters, not one mentioning world Hunger.

What motivated these letters was this excerpt from his speak on a circuit of Christian College Campuses:

"The United Nations reports that over ten thousand people starve to death each day, and most of you don't give a Sh--!  However, what is even more tragic is that most of you are more concerned about the fact that I just said a bad word..."

So perhaps I am willing to relax my earlier caution of not speaking profane when those that may be offended may hear,  the power of the profane may indeed be used appropriately on occasion.

Carey.

[DaveW]

It also says "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Ex. 20:7

I hear that so very much, and it's the one thing that offends me more than anything else. However, I've found that all it does when I ask people not to use God's name in that way is to anger them, and too often they cuss even worse just to spite me.

I would submit that someone saying "jc" this or "gd" that is NOT what was meant by that command. 

It was saying that something was God's will or spoken by God when it was not. 

Kinda like the people who justify divorcing a spouse and marrying another saying that "That was the wife/husband God wanted me to have from the beginning..."
Or saying that xxx is a sin when God nowhere calls it a sin.   The wesleyans used to insist that any use of alcohol is a sin, owning a deck of cards is a sin and attending a movie (even "Fireproof" or "Left Behind") is a sin. Church of Christ folk determined that using a musical instrument during congregational worship was a sin.   I could go on and on.  These are all examples of taking God's name in vain.  Prophecying "Thus saith the Lord...." when God is NOT speaking is yet another example.

[wolflet7]

It also says "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Ex. 20:7

I hear that so very much, and it's the one thing that offends me more than anything else. However, I've found that all it does when I ask people not to use God's name in that way is to anger them, and too often they cuss even worse just to spite me.

I would submit that someone saying "jc" this or "gd" that is NOT what was meant by that command. 

It was saying that something was God's will or spoken by God when it was not. 

Kinda like the people who justify divorcing a spouse and marrying another saying that "That was the wife/husband God wanted me to have from the beginning..."
Or saying that xxx is a sin when God nowhere calls it a sin.   The wesleyans used to insist that any use of alcohol is a sin, owning a deck of cards is a sin and attending a movie (even "Fireproof" or "Left Behind") is a sin. Church of Christ folk determined that using a musical instrument during congregational worship was a sin.   I could go on and on.  These are all examples of taking God's name in vain.  Prophecying "Thus saith the Lord...." when God is NOT speaking is yet another example.

I don't exactly agree with your interpretation of taking the Lord's Name in vain, DaveW.  However, there are some people with crazy logic out there, such as some you have mentioned.  That I agree with you in that their interpretation is wrong/misconstrued. 

Let's break this down.  If I were to say "GD", otherwise known as "God" and then "D****t", I am first using the Name of God.  In this phrase, God would be the noun.  Now for "D*****t", I am using a command, telling the noun, otherwise known as God, to send something to hell.  For example, a rough-around-the-edges co-worker of mine at the local Subway dropped a couple sil-pats that were used to bake the bread on.  When she did so, she said, "God d*****t!"  First of all, she was saying it out of anger.  I believe the Bible says to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.  Second of all, she was commanding God to send those poor sil-pats to hell, which we shouldn't be commanding God to do anything, but instead ask for His help and guidance.

As for "JC", every time I've heard the phrase, it has been used in anger.  Also, it has the underlying meaning of being somewhat sarcastic.  Instead of saying, "JC" in anger, as if Jesus would help us then, we should pray for His help instead of saying it in a sarcastic manner.

[Cally]

It also says "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Ex. 20:7

I hear that so very much, and it's the one thing that offends me more than anything else. However, I've found that all it does when I ask people not to use God's name in that way is to anger them, and too often they cuss even worse just to spite me.

I would submit that someone saying "jc" this or "gd" that is NOT what was meant by that command. 

It was saying that something was God's will or spoken by God when it was not. 

Kinda like the people who justify divorcing a spouse and marrying another saying that "That was the wife/husband God wanted me to have from the beginning..."
Or saying that xxx is a sin when God nowhere calls it a sin.   The wesleyans used to insist that any use of alcohol is a sin, owning a deck of cards is a sin and attending a movie (even "Fireproof" or "Left Behind") is a sin. Church of Christ folk determined that using a musical instrument during congregational worship was a sin.   I could go on and on.  These are all examples of taking God's name in vain.  Prophecying "Thus saith the Lord...." when God is NOT speaking is yet another example.

I don't exactly agree with your interpretation of taking the Lord's Name in vain, DaveW.  However, there are some people with crazy logic out there, such as some you have mentioned.  That I agree with you in that their interpretation is wrong/misconstrued. 

Let's break this down.  If I were to say "GD", otherwise known as "God" and then "D****t", I am first using the Name of God.  In this phrase, God would be the noun.  Now for "D*****t", I am using a command, telling the noun, otherwise known as God, to send something to hell.  For example, a rough-around-the-edges co-worker of mine at the local Subway dropped a couple sil-pats that were used to bake the bread on.  When she did so, she said, "God d*****t!"  First of all, she was saying it out of anger.  I believe the Bible says to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.  Second of all, she was commanding God to send those poor sil-pats to hell, which we shouldn't be commanding God to do anything, but instead ask for His help and guidance.

As for "JC", every time I've heard the phrase, it has been used in anger.  Also, it has the underlying meaning of being somewhat sarcastic.  Instead of saying, "JC" in anger, as if Jesus would help us then, we should pray for His help instead of saying it in a sarcastic manner.

I think phrases like "oh my God' really came from the fact that sometimes you really do say those things in sincerity.

Sometimes when I've been alarmed I've talked to God with urgency and it probably sounded a lot like "taking the Lord's name in vain," except I wasn't. I was actually talking to God with urgency.

You'd argue that an unbeliever is not talking to God, but think about it, sometimes even the atheist panics and starts saying a prayer in distress.

Other times, yes, people want to be offensive.

those are just my thoughts.

[wolflet7]

I think phrases like "oh my God' really came from the fact that sometimes you really do say those things in sincerity.

Sometimes when I've been alarmed I've talked to God with urgency and it probably sounded a lot like "taking the Lord's name in vain," except I wasn't. I was actually talking to God with urgency.

You'd argue that an unbeliever is not talking to God, but think about it, sometimes even the atheist panics and starts saying a prayer in distress.

Other times, yes, people want to be offensive.

those are just my thoughts.

In those cases, it is understandable, yes.

[DaveW]

I would submit that someone saying "jc" this or "gd" that is NOT what was meant by that command. 

It was saying that something was God's will or spoken by God when it was not. 

Kinda like the people who justify divorcing a spouse and marrying another saying that "That was the wife/husband God wanted me to have from the beginning..."
Or saying that xxx is a sin when God nowhere calls it a sin.   The wesleyans used to insist that any use of alcohol is a sin, owning a deck of cards is a sin and attending a movie (even "Fireproof" or "Left Behind") is a sin. Church of Christ folk determined that using a musical instrument during congregational worship was a sin.   I could go on and on.  These are all examples of taking God's name in vain.  Prophecying "Thus saith the Lord...." when God is NOT speaking is yet another example.

I don't exactly agree with your interpretation of taking the Lord's Name in vain, DaveW.  However, there are some people with crazy logic out there, such as some you have mentioned.  That I agree with you in that their interpretation is wrong/misconstrued. 

Let's break this down.  If I were to say "GD", otherwise known as "God" and then "D****t", I am first using the Name of God.  In this phrase, God would be the noun.  Now for "D*****t", I am using a command, telling the noun, otherwise known as God, to send something to hell.  For example, a rough-around-the-edges co-worker of mine at the local Subway dropped a couple sil-pats that were used to bake the bread on.  When she did so, she said, "God d*****t!"  First of all, she was saying it out of anger.  I believe the Bible says to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.  Second of all, she was commanding God to send those poor sil-pats to hell, which we shouldn't be commanding God to do anything, but instead ask for His help and guidance.

As for "JC", every time I've heard the phrase, it has been used in anger.  Also, it has the underlying meaning of being somewhat sarcastic.  Instead of saying, "JC" in anger, as if Jesus would help us then, we should pray for His help instead of saying it in a sarcastic manner.

What you are talking about is a product of modern western culture.  That kind of expression did not exist in the culture to which the decalogue was given.

I am not saying that those expressions are good.  I am not saying that those expressions are not violations of that command.

I AM saying that if we look ONLY at those expressions as violations of taking the Lord's Name in vain, we miss what the primary meaning was. Those expressions are secondary to what I wrote.

[DaveW]

Has anyone ever heard the double live album "To the Bride" by Barry McGuire, The 2nd Chapter of Acts and A Band called David?

McGuire is talking about a conversation he had before becoming a believer on the use of "jc." He asked his friends why the always used that term instead of someone else. 

"You drop your books in the mud and cry out "JC!!  Why do we say THAT, man?" "There was muted nervous laughter. 

Then as the alternative he says "You drop a big rock on your toe and cry out "OH BUDDAH!!" "  Lots of laughter. 

His theory was it was a devilish ploy to rob the name of Our Lord of its power and majesty by making it common.

[wolflet7]

His theory was it was a devilish ploy to rob the name of Our Lord of its power and majesty by making it common.

My point in a nutshell.

[Squirrel]

Just a little trivia....Back in the 1800's or so they used to ship manure that was to be converted into fertilizer in the lower cargo holds of ships, and every so often a ship would burst into flames or explode for no apparent reason. They eventually discovered that methane gas was being generated from the manure and once it built up to high enough levels with no adequate ventilation it would ignite causing the fires or explosions. So they eventually began shipping manure in the upper cargo holds in open containers with the letters S.H.I.T printed on them. Which stood for Ship High In Transport.....we eventually began referring to excrement or manure using those four letters.......which we then began to use as a "naughty" word to describe things in a negative manner. I guess ANY word could be used in a bad or vulgar manner....and its the intent behind them that makes them "curse" words....just my little contribution. But I still try not to use "naughty" words..

Squirrel  

[wolflet7]

I understand what you mean Squirrel.  I recall learning that the word f*** was used in medieval times (Fornification Under Consent of the King). 

[Squirrel]

NOOooooo!!!  You beat me to it!!  that was my next one!! I'm at work and had to leave for a while...Oh well at least it is out

[Jean74]

It is as especially using God's name in vain. As that is even more worse than any "regular" type of curse word.

[Victor08]

Just a little trivia....Back in the 1800's or so they used to ship manure that was to be converted into fertilizer in the lower cargo holds of ships, and every so often a ship would burst into flames or explode for no apparent reason. They eventually discovered that methane gas was being generated from the manure and once it built up to high enough levels with no adequate ventilation it would ignite causing the fires or explosions. So they eventually began shipping manure in the upper cargo holds in open containers with the letters S.H.I.T printed on them. Which stood for Ship High In Transport.....we eventually began referring to excrement or manure using those four letters.......which we then began to use as a "naughty" word to describe things in a negative manner. I guess ANY word could be used in a bad or vulgar manner....and its the intent behind them that makes them "curse" words....just my little contribution. But I still try not to use "naughty" words..
Squirrel  

Sorry Squirrel, but that doesn't appear to be true.

Oops, the link has the bad word in it.
http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/s**t.asp

Claim:   The word "s**t" comes from an acronym for "Ship High in Transit."

Status:   False.

Origins:   This sorry piece of codswallop about exploding ships appears to have begun its Internet life in February 2002. Its cousin, the "bad smelling steamship fuel" tale (second example quoted above) began its online life as an April 1999 post to the USENET discussion list rec.humor. Akin to the faux etymology of the word f***, a specious acronym has once again been claimed as the origin of yet another term beloved of potty-mouths everywhere.

We could launch into a long, involved discussion of ancient shipping practices, methane production and properties, and Internet leg-pulls, but we'll spare you all that, as the fanciful stories listed can easily be debunked as the product of someone's wild imaginings through linguistic means.

The word s**t entered the modern English language via having been derived from the Old English nouns scite and the Middle Low German schite, both meaning "dung," and the Old English noun scitte, meaning "diarrhea." Our most treasured cuss word has been with us a long time, showing up in written works both as a noun and as a verb as far back as the 14th century.

Scite can trace its roots back to the proto-Germanic root skit-, which brought us the German scheisse, Dutch schijten, Swedish skita, and Danish skide. Skit- comes from the Indo-European root skheid- for "split, divide, separate," thus **badword** is distantly related to schism and schist. (If you're wondering what a verb root for the act of separating one thing from another would have to do with excrement, it was in the sense of the body's eliminating its waste — "separating" from it, so to speak. Sort of the opposite of today's "getting one's s**t together.")


http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl-s-word.htm

The Origin of the S-Word

Netlore Archive: In which we are told, and with a straight face, that the word 's**t' originated as the acronym of 'Ship High in Transit,' a supposed nautical phrase.
.
.
.
Finally, all these stories are reminiscent of another specimen of folk etymology claiming that the F-word (another good, old-fashioned, all-purpose, four-letter expletive) originated as the acronym of "Fornication Under Consent of the King," or, in another variant, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge."

Suffice it to say, it's all C.R.A.P.

[Jon-Marc]

I would submit that someone saying "jc" this or "gd" that is NOT what was meant by that command. 

Whether or not it offends God, it certainly offends me. I have no idea what God mean by "the name of the Lord thy God" since I'm not sure what His name is. Anyway, while I don't think that "God" is His name, that doesn't make it OK to use it as profanity--or to use Jesus Christ as profanity. The earth name of God's Son is Jesus, and I do believe it is wrong to use that as profanity. Why do so many people think that profanity is necessary? I haven't used it in the last 50 years since I was 16 and an unbeliever.

[Squirrel]

This sorry piece of codswallop about exploding ships appears to have begun its Internet life in February 2002.

Suffice it to say, it's all C.R.A.P.

Wow.....I may be taking the tone of your post wrong but you sure seem to be an angry sort with that post......I never claimed that it was true but TRIVIA.....but no matter its origins I said..

I guess ANY word could be used in a bad or vulgar manner....and its the intent behind them that makes them "curse" words....just my little contribution. But I still try not to use "naughty" words..

If it was not your intent to come across as how it seemed to me then I apologize..

Squirrel

[DaveW]

I understand what you mean Squirrel.  I recall learning that the word f*** was used in medieval times (Fornification Under Consent of the King). 

Wrong.  It was used in the English court system for Fore Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.

[wolflet7]

Not at all not in any sense cussing is a sin...If cussing would be a sin,we all would go into the hell despite of enjoying(don't know about future).So,be happy and don't worry...

Did Jesus cuss?

And the Bible doesn't say masturbation is a sin.  Does that make it right?