Swearing & Symbolisn: How to define What’s a “CUSS WORD” or innocent “SLANG”????

For those wondering why I made this thread,

Once when I was in highschool (a Christian one, to note) where we were required to read information in class where swear words such as the “D” word was used in the literarty text (secular of course)

When I and others stated that we had issue with it, the main response given was that it was simply a word…..part of being realistic and necessary for placing emphasis on something/illustrating something for what it was……and for many other words that people in my school would use such as the “F” word and others, what was often said was that ALL that mattered was the intent of the word & how the culture defined it……and that I was hyprocritical for using other slang terminology that seemed less offensive by nature, such as “Dang” or “Shoot” or “Crud”, but not calling those out as well.

That all said, does anyone have any thoughts on the issue on what exactly makes something either a “slang” word or a “cuss” word?

Should we be offended by cussing and refuse to have anything to do with it, be it in what we read or view in media?

Are there really certain words that should never be used by others at all because they’re inherently evil or is it all due to the way that culture defines that paticular word?

In case anyone’s interested, I was recently doing research on the issue and I came across an excerpt of some insightful things regarding the subject by a man named Michael J. Svigel , Th.M. (http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=3055).

Quote:

A Few Bad Words of Theological Humor Conservative evangelical Christians have long been known for shunning all sorts of behavior considered by others to be morally neutral or enjoyable. Whether it’s drinking alcoholic beverages,smoking tobacco products,playing cards, going to movie theatres,dancing,or even drinking coffee, “fundamentalist”Christians are often viewed by outsiders as having a God who is not only a white-clad, frowning prude, but also a “Cosmic Killjoy.” However, the study of cussing, kakalogology, has a less refined history among Christians in general and evangelicals in particular. This lack of definition has caused many outright offenses and some extremely awkward social situations. These range from blurting out words that sound mischievously like curse words but are, in fact, not,to a teacher or preacher’s hesitancy to utter the word “hell” in reference the place of eternal torment. What does the Bible teach concerning cussing? Can there be a Christian consensus on kakalogology? How are we to determine, in an age of words that did not exist in biblical times, what is appropriate and what is foul? If the Christian is to avoid uttering certain terms, we need to know what those are so we can at least keep an eye on them. And if there is a world of vocabulary available for communicating God’s message, shouldn’t we also be free to use it? What exactly is a cuss word? This is a matter of intense debate among scholars and lay-cussersalike, because while some words are considered taboo in certain cultures or countries, others are not. As a mild example, in some families quasi-cuss words include “dumb” and “shut up.” In other families, these words and worse constitute polite dinnertime conversation. Foreigners, too, are known to make all sorts of verbal blunders. In fact, mastering the use (and non-use) of cuss words is a skill that indicates a high level of proficiency in any language. To Cuss Or Not To Cuss? Clearly, the Bible forbids something called aijscrologiva (aischrologia), “obscene speech.” Colossians 3:8 says, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech [aijscrologiva (aischrologia)] from your mouth” (NASB). The NIV translates the word as “filthy language.” The KJV has “filthy communication.” The ASV reads, “shameful speaking.” Luther, who is known for his affection for cussing, translates the word “schandbare Worte.” The question is What does Colossians 3:8 specifically forbid when it tells us to put away aijscrologiva (aischrologia)? The word itself is made up of two Greek words: aijscrov” (aischros) meaning “disgraceful, shameful, dishonest,” and lovgia (logia), meaning “oracles.” In every use in the NT, lovgia (logia) refers to “oracles,” or the revealed message from God. It is not the word lovgo” (logos), which can refer to actual words themselves (Matt 12:36), a message (Matt 13:19), or speech in general (Matt 5:37). So, it appears that Paul is actually forbidding false prophesying.

POLEMICS (CIVIL WAR): The Forgotten yet NECESSARY Battle WITHIN THE CHURCH

Here is an excerpt from one of many brothers in Christ who are seeking to awaken the Body of Christ to the REALITY OF HOW MANY PLACES WITHIN THE CHURCH ARE BEING TAKEN BY STOR…..from the INSIDE OUT.

Christian Apologetics and Polemics: desparately needed!

I’m sure all of you who have taken a stand against the tide of neo-heretics, false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing and the likes have been accused of being a “heresy hunter” at some point and in some form. In case you didn’t know it, that’s a deragatory term. But if they only knew. So we’ll attempt to bring some light to this misunderstanding.

Those who eschew our passion (and perhaps even methods) to combat false doctrine, believe prayer is the panacea for all of the church’s challenges. As one writer argued, “praying is the only thing we can do”. Not only that, but some of our critics believe we are just being mean spirited, hateful, callous, and cruel to call into question and biblically examine the words and activities of these people. That, they believe, is not being “loving”.

Some have even went so far as to call these heretics, wolves and false prophets our “brothers and sisters in Christ”. The more we expose these man-made idols, celebrity hirelings and spiritual thieves, the more their silent but adulant fan(antics) will come out of the woodwork to defend them.

Considering that, the church is in dire need of both apologetics and polemics to assist the Body of Christ in resisting error and apostasy. While apologetics, via sites like CARM and Apologetics Press are well established, we are lacking in the polemics area.

Since its inception, GCM Watch has employed the polemic approach to aggresively confront the gay christian movement and expose t?he spiritual thievery and doctrinal error so dangerous to the historic Christian faith. But is that “excessive force”

FAITH: Thoughts on one’s expectations/declarations for the 2008 YEAR Designation (by JOSEPH GARLINGTON)……

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__BUitBKtg4&feature=related

For those who may not who Mr.Garlington is exactly,

Pastor Garlington is Senior Pastor of the very successful Covenant Church of Pittsburgh located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is internationally known and respected for his leadership within the charismatic movement. His gifted worship ministry has influenced churches of all types and worship styles, charismatic and noncharismatic.

 

 

I decided to post this due to the fact that Bishop Garlington is the Pastor over my pastor at Liberty Church. He has been a real blessing to me in my life on more than one occasion, and I wanted to share with you some clips of some of the things which were spoken at the church (though the one in the video is not the one which I went to).

 

Of the bat, one may notice that the atomosphere is a bit “Charismatic” but if you’ve been at the blog long enough, I pray you realize that I really do not have a problem with it that much. If ayone’s confused on anything, please let me know and I’ll explain.

 

 

Also, one will probably notice in the video that there is mention of what seems to be the concept of “death & life being in the power of the tongue.” To clarify where I stand on the issue

 

 

 

Proverbs 12:14

14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

Proverbs 18:21

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

 

IMHO,

To speak LIFE is to Speak God’s perspectives on any issue of life, and while to speak DEATH is to declare Life’s negatives, such as defeat, complaining constantly…..and MOST importantly, SPEAKING OUTSIDE OF GOD’S AUTHORITY and the INFLUENCE OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT, and only according to our FLESH, REASONINGS, Passions and concerns!!!!! Galatians 5:16-23 and Romans 8:5-8.)

 

Every war we have had started with someone speaking words. Every meaningful act in life has started with someone speaking words that would stir up people’s sensibilities to do things that are meaningful.

Words do have power……….and I think people in our day and age have too much TV (Bewitched, Sabrina, etc.) and too many movies (like Harry Potbelly) where people,using words, recite magical incantations, wave their hands, and — TA-DAH! The words brought something about.

I have personally never in all my years as a Christian, even in my experiences within WOF, have thought of “the power of words” in that respect. I believe that God responds to prayer, but in most cases, one has to actually PRAY in order to get a response. God moves in response to faith, but if I keep making statements that are contrary to His Word, I am in effect calling Him a liar (1 John 5:10). Why should He respond to me if I keep making statements of unbelief (outside of mercy which He has been known to dispaly in spite of)?

When I say “power of words” I am far from referring to magical incantations, instantaneous manifestations, etc. But if you read James 3, you will see that our tongues have a more powerful effect on ourselves and others than we are willing to give it credit for.

Perhaps some of you have been under some extreme WoF teaching in the past, but you must be careful not to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Even in extreme teachings, there is a layer of truth that should not be disgarded.

 

hough I know others may disagree (which is cool), I’m coming more and more to believe “What we say has the ability to create situations, emotions, and thoughts in others, just as indicated in how A kind word helps people, negative words hurt – sometimes for a very long time.”

I still cannot get over the principle of DEATH AND LIFE, and it really has me starting to see moreso where many in WOF are trying to come from………and to a degree, I again agree. Only say things that will create in you positive (as defined by the WORD) emotions, thoughts, feelings, and ultimately, actions. That’s part of the reason, I believe, why certain households will not allow negative talk to take place in their houses, not at all meaning that individuals cannot be real with how they’re feeling and simply be transparent, but moreso meaning that staying satisfied with negative dialouge and never acknoweldging what the Word of GOD SAYS or desiring to be positive/HAVING A VICTORIOUS MENTALITY IN LIFE

In one’s persons’s expericnec, he said “

Quote:

Do you tell yourself negative thoughts during the day? Most of us can fall into that temptation, can’t we? I was working the other day and I was brewing over something bad that had happened and I was just getting bent out of shape. So I stopped, realized I had the power to choose what I was saying to myself and began to think about and tell myself good things. And my day changed for the better. Have you ever been in your backswing on the golf course and said to yourself, “I am going to shank this one.” What happens? You shank it.This actually happens to me. So what do I do? I stop my backswing, reset myself, and tell myself I am going to hit it straight down the fairway. What happens? About half the time I hit it straight, the other half, I shank it, but increasing your ability is a future article! At the very least I increase my chances of performing better. Bad thoughts almost guarantee my failure, while good thoughts increase my chances for success dramatically. A salesman, for another example, may see someone walk through his door and say to himself, “I’m not going to be able to make this sale.” I can’t. I won’t.

By no means is Self-talk a substitute for effort and ability, but it is a strong helping factor. Whatever the situation or work is, I think there are specific things you can say that will build you or others up and determine whether or not we have DEATH or LIFE in any situation.