C. S. Lewis in his book on Psalms said something to the effect that stubbing your toe on a chair and exclaiming your desire for its soul to be condemned to eternal conscience torment, was a lot less likely to be taking God's name in vain than saying, "God told me..." when if fact that was not the case. Personally, I also add putting a fish symbol on your business ads or cards falls into the latter category.
Oh dear. My native language (Noo Yawkese) is something I no longer speak, except at moments of extreme stress. Your comment about language being dependent on the rules of particular communities applies here. In my original language, the worst American curse word (the f-word) in its gerund form is simply an emphatic modifier, and has nothing to do with anything negative. Example: "That was f....ing beautiful". Of course in other contexts it can still be a powerful challenge or a demeaning insult. What is interesting about this is that since becoming a Christian, I find myself using it very rarely. Even (as in this past weekend) when I am actually back in NYC. My new found reluctance to swear is interesting, because I never used to even acknowledge that there was anything wrong with using any words, even the long list of ethnic specific insults I learned as a child in Brooklyn. Now I just feel queasy about it, and try to avoid ever speaking them. I have even said "shoot" at times (stubbing toes type situations) which makes me laugh. Perhaps the lesson is that following Jesus entails many changes in one's life. Including giving up sins that one never even thought of as sinful before.
Good gosh! (Euphemism.) This brings up so many memories. I said "crap" at the dinner table when I was about 10 and my dad smacked me in the back of the head. We proceeded to have an argument whether crap was a cuss word or not. (I lost, but I was right. It's not.) Of course, in my native language (Panhandle of Texas) the N-word was a regular feature, including from my dad who was otherwise the best Christian I ever knew. Go figure. By the time I had kids of my own, I swore they would never hear that word from my lips. One of the few vows I've kept.
I didn't really take my Christianity seriously until my mid-30s. I read voraciously and came across a Puritan who talked about "taming the tongue" and the use of swear words among Christians. I didn't make a thing about it, but I stopped cussing that day. Except when I busted a knuckle working on a car. Anyway, my (ex-)wife didn't notice for a long time, and then when she did, she took great pleasure in trying to goad me into using a cuss word. She eventually lost interest, but one day the thought occurred to me that my walk with God was no closer or farther whether I cussed or not. It was immaterial to the things that really mattered. Sometimes, f--- is the right word. But never say c--t unless you're in Britain.
Wittgenstein: In learning language, we are learning a form of life.
For "most creative Christian cuss": My dad used to take the name of a classmate in vain. This probably doesn't pass the "don't dehumanize" test.
C. S. Lewis in his book on Psalms said something to the effect that stubbing your toe on a chair and exclaiming your desire for its soul to be condemned to eternal conscience torment, was a lot less likely to be taking God's name in vain than saying, "God told me..." when if fact that was not the case. Personally, I also add putting a fish symbol on your business ads or cards falls into the latter category.
Yes and yes.
Oh dear. My native language (Noo Yawkese) is something I no longer speak, except at moments of extreme stress. Your comment about language being dependent on the rules of particular communities applies here. In my original language, the worst American curse word (the f-word) in its gerund form is simply an emphatic modifier, and has nothing to do with anything negative. Example: "That was f....ing beautiful". Of course in other contexts it can still be a powerful challenge or a demeaning insult. What is interesting about this is that since becoming a Christian, I find myself using it very rarely. Even (as in this past weekend) when I am actually back in NYC. My new found reluctance to swear is interesting, because I never used to even acknowledge that there was anything wrong with using any words, even the long list of ethnic specific insults I learned as a child in Brooklyn. Now I just feel queasy about it, and try to avoid ever speaking them. I have even said "shoot" at times (stubbing toes type situations) which makes me laugh. Perhaps the lesson is that following Jesus entails many changes in one's life. Including giving up sins that one never even thought of as sinful before.
Good gosh! (Euphemism.) This brings up so many memories. I said "crap" at the dinner table when I was about 10 and my dad smacked me in the back of the head. We proceeded to have an argument whether crap was a cuss word or not. (I lost, but I was right. It's not.) Of course, in my native language (Panhandle of Texas) the N-word was a regular feature, including from my dad who was otherwise the best Christian I ever knew. Go figure. By the time I had kids of my own, I swore they would never hear that word from my lips. One of the few vows I've kept.
I didn't really take my Christianity seriously until my mid-30s. I read voraciously and came across a Puritan who talked about "taming the tongue" and the use of swear words among Christians. I didn't make a thing about it, but I stopped cussing that day. Except when I busted a knuckle working on a car. Anyway, my (ex-)wife didn't notice for a long time, and then when she did, she took great pleasure in trying to goad me into using a cuss word. She eventually lost interest, but one day the thought occurred to me that my walk with God was no closer or farther whether I cussed or not. It was immaterial to the things that really mattered. Sometimes, f--- is the right word. But never say c--t unless you're in Britain.
Wittgenstein: In learning language, we are learning a form of life.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!