Today I got in a "heated discussion" with someone who was offended that I used the term "crap".
They said I was basiclly saying s**t, to which I replied no, no, I meant poop. The person then argued that I was using it as a euphemism though, meaning that I was hiding a more crude word in a less crude way, and either way, I was not letting "my yes be yes, and my no be no" when there was no poop to be seen....
Now, I understand that yes, crap is not the nicest term to use. Neither is s**t. But how does that differ from "My goodness!" or "Dang-it!". Either way, I'm humanly expressing a feeling of frustration- but I am not using my Lord's name in vain, or damning anyone around me.
I don't want to be someone who commonly uses those terms and any related terms lightly. When you do that, you become less seen as someone who thinks creatively, not using the gift of language well, and your opinions and thoughts are not as regarded.
So what is the Christian response? And I'm not just asking Christians- I'm asking all of you, what is your raw opinion? What do you think of slangs words, swears, etc? When is it okay- or should it never be, is it really lying? (Note: I do not take lying lightly...there is no such thing as a "white lie"- so then is this what some consider to be so?)
(Hoping this post finds ya'll well- and yes, I really mean that.)
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, it depends to some extent on the swear-word. I consider most swear-words to never be acceptable in my own speech (e.g. "f**k", "g**d**n", "cr*p", etc.). Some I consider generally unacceptable, unless quoting something or using it in a non-swearing method (e.g., if you're quoting, say, a Bible verse with the word "d*mned", or are referring to the place Hell). My primary basis for this would be Eph. 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." [NIV] However, I also don't consider it to be lying. It's merely an expression of frustration/anger/etc. I have heard it stated that, "It's not what you say, it's what you mean". While it is good to avoid offending others when it doesn't violate our code of ethics, it is ultimately more important to make sure that our hearts are right with God.
ReplyDeleteThat's my two cents.
~~ R Grady