So this is just a random post to ask a simple/complex question....
What do you think about swearing?
In what context and why do you think swearing is a good and great thing to practice or in what context and why do you sustain from using these certain words?
Is there a difference for those who are in leadership positions to those who are not?
Is it moral, and what makes it moral?
I have my thoughts circulating in my head, yet I want to know your thoughts on this issue. Let's see what you got...
10 comments:
If you mean swearing as in cussing, Keith stole my response. This is also one of those areas that everyone has very strong opinions on, so I tread lightly.
You have to think about what the words actually mean, and their context. It's way too common for people to use "freaking" as a network TV-friendly replacement for you-know-what, but most people are saying it with the same intention. An idle word is an idle word.
But strong language can have its place, I think. But in a leadership position, you have to be aware of your audience and--as Keith said--not be a stumbling block to anyone's walk.
Good point about the shit and poop coment. Sometimes I like to throw people off and say poop just because I like that word. If only I would say "That's feces!" ( I would be so much cooler).
I guess I am reminded of some authors and people of high standing, in my opinion, who swear when the time is right and it has been freeing to me. Often times we get caught up in the moral aspect and forget the content of what other's are saying.
For instance, I love Anne Lamont's conversion experience, it was natural and yeah, she said "f--it and come into my heart!" but it was pure and simple yet freeing as well.
What about the middle finger?
I agree that we need to be able to hold our tounge and not have idle speech. In a controlled and with a diserning mind we speak truth.
Some more thoughts from our conversation earlier (sorry to everyone who wasn't able to chime in):
Here is The Message version of the Philipians 3:8:
"Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him."
I think it is just funny! The greek for "rubbish," as it is translated in the the NIV, is skubalon or skybala (using roman transliteration from two different sources). One definition of the the greek term is "as the excrement of animals" (http://www.greekbible.com/). I like this definition best. What is interesting too, is in verse 2 Paul mentions "...those dogs...". I think it is safe to assume that Paul is using a "swear word" but with a specific purpose to make a point. Therefore, it should not be considered "idle talk." That is just my non-expert opinion from very little research on the matter.
The middle finger is great, and pretty much essential, for climbing rocks. Therefore, I think it should be protected. And therefore using it in vain, not good. I was flicked off the other day and the lady (hmm, not so "lady like") didn't even look at me. She actually deliberately turned her head the other way! Talk about idle communication! That made me mad! Just sharing.
Anyway, I hope you all think this is an effin' sweet comment!
jw
I gave up on set collections of vowels and consonants being immoral once I started studying foreign language. (for instance, "fuckit" in Arabic means "only", which still causes endless giggling)
So then it must be contextual, right?
But then if you, say, work in an environment where "shit" is commonly used to mean "gear" ("grab your shit, we gotta move"), and the beloved F-bomb is the preferred adjective, is it immoral?
What if strong language is just that... strong. I often find that choice swearwords do wonders to emphasize the rest of tha language I'm using.
I mean, that's the fucking point.
See what I mean? :)
Oh, Buddy :)
I think our society runs the risk of turning strong language, as it were, into just another set of adjectives. Paul definitely uses strong language (especially in his letter to the Galatians).
Re: middle finger. That's essentially "f--- you," correct? Not a fan, then, especially since it's very flippantly used, and there isn't really any good context to use it other than to show how angry you are.
ah, but where's the love?
i've never been really sworn at by someone so angry that it would upset and trouble me.
i think pretty much all settings that there is cursing it is for someone to vent (which.... probably isn't good) and then in jest.
our culture has a sharp appinion about it though and i still don't really know what to think.
The middle finger in one instance is more of a love language between me and lisa webster. As are a few other choice words.
There are some, like I said...to agree with Keith, that I will not say because of their root meaning in our culture. And Buddy, your post made me chuckle a bit---so i thank you for that!
Strong language is good for a strong time, not to brush someone off and count them meaningless because you rose the middle finger and drove off or said f--you and turned your back. It's just as bad as saying "Your momma wears army boots" and then turning your back quickly and running away like a moron.
(that put a funny image in my head...haha)
Thanks for your thoughts guys!!
when i think about language, i often remind myself that the thought behind the words are as important as the words themselves. and, generally thinking the more expansive use of verbiage the better, not merely for the sake of show, but for succinctness of meaning, the more words that are open to use, the better.
i would suggest that more important than the words' origins are the words' understanding in your audience. ie...i don't have a problem with saying "suck" around most people, because it doesn't in their mind, nor mine, have any conotation than being one level short of "shit"...and one level worse than pretty bad.
maybe i'll put it this way...if words are like crayons, leaving out swear words altogether is like leaving out the neon colors. you don't really want to use neon that often, or everything starts looking like a throwback to the late 80's/early 90's, but used carefully they provide some pretty nifty accents. this means i don't get too excited when people use "fuck" as every part of speech, from adjective to noun, to adverb, but i do use it to punctuate my frustration occasionally.
so what to do with the fact that a lot of people do have a lot of problems with some words? well, as always, i would think it best to choose words wisely, appropriate to company.
what i do think is rather humorous, on a side note, is when, referring to other people's use of foul language, we avoid saying the word. at the very least, they are only offensive words by means of context. fuck is not innately offensive. it makes me chuckle when we refer to specific words in the same way that wizards refer to him-we-do-not-speak-of. or however they do it. i haven't read any harry potter in awhile. :)
this is the abbreviated form of my thoughts.
Instead of "That's shitty" (which is so passe), how about "That's fecalicious!"
I swear semi-regularly. I think swearing is situational and we should be guided by what is the most loving thing to do it that moment. That often means swearing is a no-go but sometimes it doesn't keep you from loving through a situation...who knows. Anyways my blog has changed addresses. It's now @ waitandhopeblog.blogspot.com
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