@whataboutbahb@xanga - 

Our friend here serves as an excellent visual aid of how common profanity is today. =) 

I once heard that, "Profanity is the effort of a weak mind to express itself forcibly." While it becomes a habit to some people, others simply never learned the vocabulary to express themselves in any other way. When people know that my personal standard is to not swear, they usually respect me by not swearing. When they start to swear, but then stop themselves because I am there, I make it a point to thank them. I also like the quote, "That which doth not edify is not of God."

@PseudoEuphoric@xanga - Agreed.

I think profanity demonstrates a persons heart to us but it is not the focus of my attention.  Language expresses what is in our mind and hearts and demonstrates our attitudes, wants, desires, and thoughts to everyone around us. 

When I see a Christian using profanity, I really don't care (anymore) about the language being used.  All I care about is doing what I can to help my brother or sister with whatever is going on in their heart.

It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, that many people who have simply learned to cover the tell of profanity with a polite poker face still have the same deep-seething problems under the surface but it's just harder to discover because a pretty face... or in this case, flowery language masks the sign.

I do like seeing Christians call people's attention to the language we use, of course in no way am I excusing language, so I applaud the effort, I also want to call our attention towards mercy and grace as we deal with the real issues at hand and do away with the source and not just the symptom.

I think the Christian community has created a senseless taboo in which God would be disappointed. We are far too easily "shocked" by certain words, not realizing that our other, non-profane language can often be far more destructive. Many Christians tell "clean" jokes that can be far more "profane" without the use of any stereotypical swear words, just by having the potential to hurt feelings or offend someone else. I think that if Paul were alive today, he would be writing non-stop letters about the hypocrisy in our speech.

The words don't matter, the message does.

@Faithful_Spot@xanga - I agree, it is better to be true than to deceive just to put on a mask.  I think the goal is maturity so that we can learn how to deal with our anger in a way that removes those profane things from our heart.

I believe there is a difference between hiding the profanity that is in your heart and learning how to effectively deal with them so that we can mature and grow towards a Godly and Christ-like life. 

Also, I find it extremely saddening for people to reply to this article with so much profanity.. to me it's a sign that they are so ashamed of their dirty speech, they take it out one those who excoriate it. 

Heartbreaking, really. Denying the truth of God, accepting lies, and living a life of evil before the Lord. 

@lohanzodiac06@xanga - No one is forcing us to comment but the poster wants an opinion. Unless you're desiring a one-sided talk, in which the already assumed view point is just further agreed upon, accept the criticism offered - including ones that possibly call BS (there, I cleaned up) on a particular argument.

And the way people talk about cussing as if it's some terrible addiction is fantastical. I can restrain myself just fine - I did, after all, attend middle and high school, not to mention had to be around my parents plenty. I just find the notion of having to treat words - based on the word themselves and neither their definition nor the way being used - to be rediculous. Besides, you may not enjoy or get joy from cussing or hearing others cuss but that doesn't mean *I* (or those I know) don't. Why does it have to be hate? A majority of cuss words aren't used at particular people (instead objects and concepts) and another number aren't used in a negative manner. Expand the world view, my friend.

@whataboutbahb@xanga - Thank you. Whenever I see a topic like this, I think of Paul and then just want to facepalm repeatedly.

@ikylecheng@xanga - Ah, so you're saying that it is just god-forsaken to use profanity in a witty manner or either when it is used excessively? (Thus, when Paul does it in neither of these ways, it is not in either of these ways and therefore not god-forsaken.) You do acknowledge that Paul used a profanity in the scripture I cited, right? If you want more reading on the topic, go here.

To the rest of what you said: I'll be praying for you and for your intelligence to increase so that you might be able to understand basic sentences that others try to convey to you. I will also be praying that you come to understand that being so judgmental and presumptive are not qualities that Jesus encourages. Let all the people who read this know that I wish you the best: I do not take comfort in knowing that your vindictive spirit will come back on you when you stand before the Lord (...and you will have no one to face but Him), since I am not a vindictive person.

This is a wonderful post.  I think you'd find a similar blog I recently wrote interesting - Holding Fast to What is Good. 

As for your questions, I try as much as possible not to use profanities.  I don't think I ever slip in public; when I slip it's usually when I'm alone--or driving.  I don't think it's honoring to God because he made us holy, he set us apart, and we are not honoring that fact by being one with the rest of the world.  I wouldn't say there were situations where it's okay, but I would say it could, maybe, be useful if you use profanity very sparingly.  For instance, in my younger days, if people were fighting around me, nonchristians mainly, I would say "Shut the ---- up!" And everyone would surely stop with their mouths open because they'd never heard me curse.  Do I think that's okay?  Not particularly.  But I was younger and my convictions weren't as strong as they are now.