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I have one simple question.... what makes cussing so bad in people's eyes? I just don't understand it. I, myself, have been known to do this. But why? Why do the majority of christians get defensive about cussing? What sets it apart from just saying "dang" or "crap" or "shoot" when it's said in the same context with the same meaning with the same feeling? I just don't get it at all... why do our so called "principles" say that certain words are wrong and still some aren't?

Totally right. Euphamisms suck.

We'd all like to stop. But it's nearly impossible. It's part of the struggle of Christianity. Check out Romans chapers 7 and 8. It's pretty awesome. It'll make you feel hopelessly entertwined with sin. Just remember that grace is always there, and that is what we REALLY desire.

I don't think there is anything wrong with words that are generally labeled as curse words. Words in themselves, have only as much power as you give them. The F word for example, being one of the most over used, and yet most offensive words in the English language.

Before I continue, let me first seperate the idea of cussing, which to my understanding is not mentioned in the bible (I'll explain this in a minute) and taking the lords name in vain.

Adding any word with the lords name is blaspheme, ESPECIALLY when used in a derogatory or negative manner. This kind of speech is spoken against in the bible, and it even it weren't, it feels wrong in the heart as it rolls off the tongue. Words like "Geeesh" seemed to me, to be syllabatory swaps for saying "Jesus" in such a manner. And when taken in that vain, are also wrong. For Blaspheme in the heart, does not have to be spoken...only implied. Don't forget that God knows what's in our heart and just ebcause the word is different, the sentiment is still there. Blaspheme on any level is a sin, and worse yet, it is a sin aimed against the God we are supposed to love and adore.

Now onto the words which I feel are acceptable, but society has deemed vulgar...and why. Most of the words we deem vulgar, were actually done so, some 4-500 years ago. In the days of the English high courts, not everyone spoke the same. The Saxons for example, spke a different "language, then the angles who spoke a "middle english, and their nobles who spoke a high class of English. Middle english was typically acceptable in the English courts, however the lower class Saxon language was not. In fact, everything about the saxon's was deemed vulgar, they were slaves and not equals...and thus received no respect or kind treatment. Certain Saxon words, were adopted into middle English, and when spoken in a hig court, were recognized and deemed as Vulgar. The practice survived all these years. It's not for certain if this happened in the 16th century or the 17th, but it was around that time period. So lower English, as Saxon became known as, was barred from being spoken in the high court...and ever since has been considered offensive. Originally the F-bomb (as I will callit out of respect for those of you who might be offended), meant to penetrate...and evnetually became slang for sex.

So really, the reason these words are deemed vulgar, is because of history and the whims of a few noblemen and their self righteous desire to completely dominate a lower class. And it worked, all the remaining Saxons, adopted middle english. There is a bit more to the history, but this is the very very short version.

I just don't see the evidence that using words, that were not considered vulgar until 1600 years after the bible was written, can be spoken against in the bible. I understand that Blaspheme is a sin, but not "vulgar" speech, as vulgarity in speech is decided by man not God.

For evidence I cite the modern day belief, that preaching the gospel can be vulgar...or offensive.

we hate cussing because it says in the bible, Matthew 5:34-37 "But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's thron; or by the earth for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

You're using that passage very loosely. He isn't talking about using the "F" word or any modern day "vulgarity...take into account that in today's society a lot of people find Christians ideas as vulgar...those things are defined by man...not God.

This passage is telling us not to use anyone's name, be it god, our land, or our king...in order to give ur word more creedance. Like when you tell someone "I swear to God it's true...." Just let your "yes" mean yes.

I don't think that 'cussing', as most people see it, is wrong. Using God's, and other peoples, names in vain IS wrong.

Well, we can't dwell on the past. Who cares why or how the words came to have vulgar meanings? The fact is that they do, and when people say them, we know exactly what they mean. I personally look at it from the point of view that it shows lack of character when people curse.

I mean, they don't sound pleasant. I don't think highly of people who curse left and right. Surely, they could find a more intellectualway to state their feelings. They aren't very considerate, because many of them spout off when they know that there's people around who either don't want to, or don't need to hear it.

The question to me is not why we do or don't like it, but why we do it. Do we do it because our friends do? Because these days, people who don't curse aren't "cool"? Because it makes us feel good to have the freedom to shout obseneties?

I'll admit I've occasionally thought a curse word, and once, upon finding my 9 year old fish flopping around on the carpet, ( he lived, but died last week at 10) I did say a curse word. I don't like that I did, though.