MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR -
September 2004
Bad Language
Swearing can be divided into three sections: blasphemy, obscenity, and bad language.
Blasphemy is taking God's name in vain - the third of the ten commandments. The Holy Name of God; Christ the Saviour; the Holy Spirit; all are sacred concepts. People who blaspheme or take God's name in vain are placing themselves in danger. We have seen this very vividly illustrated in the Salman Rushdie case where it is said that in his book he uses blasphemous language against God. Hence the 'fatwa' against him. This primitive ruling is echoed in the Old Testament story in 2 Samuel, chapter 6, where no one was to touch the 'Ark of God' when it was moved, on pain of death. Behind all these primitive philosophies is the simple truth that God is God and we are his children. No Christian should ever use blasphemy.
Obscenity means denigrating sex. Making it cheap and tawdry, when the most intimate of human relationships is precious, beautiful and redemptive. Sex should never be the subject of bawdyness. Four letter words, so-called, are very old Saxon words which were used to describe natural human functions. Today they are used as obscenities.
Ordinary swearing, or bad language as it is usually called, is the least offensive of the three forms. It usually betrays a shortage of words in the person's vocabulary. It is much easier to say 'damn' than to cope with the situation quietly and sensibly. When we are tempted to swear we should look to our use of words. Can we not find a better way of getting rid of our spleen? Did not Jesus say, "Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no', 'no'?" Simplicity of speech is what is needed. That way we will be a good example to our children.
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