PROFANITY:

Today's Air Pollution


A Brief History of *&$%@!


1. Emperor Caligula of ancient Rome responded to his critics by extending his crooked arm in an obscene gesture. That same gesture is still sued today nearly 20 centuries later, particularly in Europe.


2. Scholars have discovered carved in Egyptian hieroglyphics.


3. Chaucer, medieval poet-author of The Canterbury Tales, peppered his language with obscenities, but not everyone followed suit immediately. Jonathan Swift, whose biting satire was often criticized, chose milder language, once objecting to the use of the word mob because it was too vulgar.


4. In the Victorian era of the 19th century, leg was considered sexually explicit. the terms lib and lower extremity were substituted.


5. In the 1930s free-speech cases were won on behalf of James Joyce and other authors whose language reached a new level of profanity.


6. After World War II public swearing increased dramatically as soldiers brought home their barracks vocabulary.


7. President Truman's freedom in swearing was once a significant campaign issue, and President Kennedy was once criticized for repeating favorite profane phrase of his father.


8. The Vietnam era brought profanity to an all-time high as antiwar activists used graphic sexual language to emphasize their anger and to draw attention to their message.


9. Scholars say that swearwords have not changed much over the years. People today are using the same cursed Benjamin Franklin used in his day.


10. In the 1980s and the 1990s, even some Christian ministers use profanity, usually with the rationalization that it helps make a point.


WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH PROFANITY.


LIGHT HUMOR: Very carefully and tactfully used, light humor can be employed to criticize the offender. This is most effective with friends and depends on good taste and timing.


THE SILENT TREATMENT: Since conversations depend on give-and-take, a sudden refusal to respond will be noticeable. In response to offensive language, total failure to answer, or an awkward pause before answering, will signal that something is wrong. In a quiet, controlled social setting, silence is often the best choice and can be accompanied by a meaningful look.


NONVERBAL RESPONSE: Folded arms, scowl, looking away, or turning away to speak to someone else are common body language signals to report that offense has been taken at the use of profanity. Visibly wincing at obscenities indicates hurt and displeasure.


ASSERTIVENESS: A very simple, tactful statement is sometimes used to point out what might have become an unconscious habit of swearing. Keep your words polite, calm, and to the point, something like, "Excuse me. I wish you wouldn't use that kind of language. It offends me." When done correctly, such statements are unarguable and unanswerable. A polite Christian witness can also be used, something like, "Since I gave my life to Jesus Christ, that kind of language offends me."


CHECK THE DICTIONARY
What do you think the following terms mean?

1. Swearing

2. Obscenities

3. Expletives

4. Sexually explicit language

5. Vulgarities

6. Cursing

7. Slang

8. Blaspheming

9. Taking God's name in vain

10. Ethic slurs


HOW ABOUT YOU!

If I keep the third commandment- not taking God's name in vain- can I use other forms of slang or expletives?

In certain situations I could use the above kinds of languages?
Why? or Why not?

As a Christian I should never use the above language?

How about slang words like "darn", "gosh" or "golly" are they acceptable?


WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT PROFANITY?

Psalms 10:7

Psalms 19:14

Psalms 37:30

Proverbs 4:24

Matthew 12:34-37

Matthew 15:18-20

Romans 3:13,14

Ephesians 4:29-31