On occasion, I read something that makes me think a lot. Not that it is a mentally challenging subject or that it is the most important thing of my day. You hear or read an arguement and need to put in your two cents and then life can move on. So, here is one of those times where I need to contribute my two cents and move on.
I read an article that discussed the use of cuss words (the “F” word in particular) but whether it was a sin or not.
I started thinking, that with the exception of certain names (those that would be covered by the 10 commandments), any word can be used in a profane way. The idea is not about the word (although there is a basic list of words that are considered profane) but is about how it is used. Just as the names discussed earlier. To say “God” or “Jesus Christ” is not, in itself profane until it is used in a context that is not honorable to them. To use their names in a way as to express anger, frustration, etc., is profane and is part of that “name in vain” type idea. But what about other words?
In Utah, the current culture (mostly LDS) have taken to using substitute words in place of words considered profane. “Fetch” and “flip” are commonly heard among the youth (and bretheren) of the LDS faith in an attempt to avoid using a different “F” word or maybe other, less harsh words.
When discussing the idea of profanity, is the word profane or its use profane? If that is the case, why use substitute words because the substitute words, while not readily accepted as a curse word, is still used within an environment where a curse word could be used. The use of any word, in a similar situation accomplishes the same idea: to express a strongly felt emotion.
Anyway, my two cents.
