A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! Proverbs15:23NIV
The words we use are very important in all aspects of our lives, and that includes the church. In fact, it matters even more in the church because it is by our words and actions that we are judged by those inside AND outside the church. We usually talk about the conversations we choose to undertake or join because they may not be suitable. But what about those answers we give to the words used by others? They are important too.
The verse above is very clear that we gain joy as we give our ‘apt reply’ when our friends talk to us. I suggest this is more than a ‘smart’ or ‘cleverly crafted’ or even ‘academic’ response. If someone is hurting, they don’t need a smart answer. If they are struggling with their faith, they can’t use a cleverly crafted reply. When a child in the faith needs advice or direction, the last thing they want is an academic treatise.
Giving an apt reply can be a gift from the Holy Spirit from you to that friend, for that time. But I found myself asking, how do I gain that insight to the much needed ‘apt reply’ because there are many hurting and needy people who need that ‘word in season’? I believe the true and good response we should give is governed by our ‘hearts being fully committed to the LORD our God’. May our Lord help us to be the carrier of that ‘apt reply’.
And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” 1Kings8:61NIV
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Showing posts with label language. Show all posts
Showing posts with label language. Show all posts
Tuesday, 23 October 2018
Sunday, 23 September 2018
My Achilles Heel
I must confess to having a weak spot. One which not everyone shares, even other Christians on a social media platform like this one, and it has reared its ugly head again recently. I don’t like it when action must be taken to protect myself from the same thing again, but that is a forlorn hope because as society becomes more accepting and tolerant, this weakness will be found more often, and more than likely the person involved will not be aware of the impact, even though my feelings are made clear on my profiles.
It may seem to be an unlikely difficulty because in real life conversations, although it troubles me, it doesn’t bother me as much. That’s because a ‘user’ will normally let it happen almost unconsciously, and without thinking. The issue, my issue, is not so much with it happening in ordinary small talk, but when it is written or typed, it has to be thought through letter by letter as it finds itself on the screen. Then as if that isn’t enough, the ‘send’ or ‘publish’ button must be pressed too. Basically, there is ample time to correct and erase the offending word(s) before anyone reads them.
We take language for granted, but for me it’s an expression of who we are, of who I am, and I for one am particular how it is used. My use of words and language tells my family and friends who I am, and what I am on the inside. It shows some integrity in an area where I do exercise control. Full control. My language is not a mirror of someone else. It’s a reflection of who I am.
So, if you find that I am missing from your social media friends list, it’s nothing personal. That is who you are and you are comfortable with who you are. Similarly, I have the freedom to reduce the number of times I see, or my friends might see through me, open swearing which is offending and offensive. I am not asking you to change, although that would be nice, but explaining who I am. I will not change, and it is possible that you will not either. When I was younger, a friend told me that swearing was just street language and I would get used to it. Well here I am many years later, and I am thankfully still not used to it. Have you ever walked near a small family in the street only to hear the dad, or yes, even the mum swear at the toddler who isn’t keeping up? As though that wasn’t bad enough, you cringe as the toddler answers in similar fashion. Now tell me who is at fault? Is it always someone else, or do we have some part to play in the solution? So tell me, who do YOU think is listening when YOU talk?
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
It may seem to be an unlikely difficulty because in real life conversations, although it troubles me, it doesn’t bother me as much. That’s because a ‘user’ will normally let it happen almost unconsciously, and without thinking. The issue, my issue, is not so much with it happening in ordinary small talk, but when it is written or typed, it has to be thought through letter by letter as it finds itself on the screen. Then as if that isn’t enough, the ‘send’ or ‘publish’ button must be pressed too. Basically, there is ample time to correct and erase the offending word(s) before anyone reads them.
We take language for granted, but for me it’s an expression of who we are, of who I am, and I for one am particular how it is used. My use of words and language tells my family and friends who I am, and what I am on the inside. It shows some integrity in an area where I do exercise control. Full control. My language is not a mirror of someone else. It’s a reflection of who I am.
So, if you find that I am missing from your social media friends list, it’s nothing personal. That is who you are and you are comfortable with who you are. Similarly, I have the freedom to reduce the number of times I see, or my friends might see through me, open swearing which is offending and offensive. I am not asking you to change, although that would be nice, but explaining who I am. I will not change, and it is possible that you will not either. When I was younger, a friend told me that swearing was just street language and I would get used to it. Well here I am many years later, and I am thankfully still not used to it. Have you ever walked near a small family in the street only to hear the dad, or yes, even the mum swear at the toddler who isn’t keeping up? As though that wasn’t bad enough, you cringe as the toddler answers in similar fashion. Now tell me who is at fault? Is it always someone else, or do we have some part to play in the solution? So tell me, who do YOU think is listening when YOU talk?
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Thursday, 16 August 2018
What's In A Name?
My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: one of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 11-13 NIV
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth because they were a troubled and divided group. Their idea of the gospel was coloured by the teachings of various people. The apostle started his letter with the warning in the verses above. Their difficulties individually and collectively stemmed from the truth of these words, and we would do well to take heed of the same pitfalls today.
The internet makes it easier to pay pick ‘n’ mix with preachers who sound good, and whose teachings are apparently sound. It’s not uncommon to hear some church folks say, “I like the way ‘X’ speaks”, or “It’s good that ‘Y’ doesn’t mince his words”, or even “ ‘Z’ is a false teacher and an antichrist”. Have you heard these words? Or more to the point, have you said them? We are told that the folks in the Corinth ‘church’ group quarrelled about who was the best. Paul makes it clear that this attitude was all wrong, and the Apostle was in the preferred list of preachers!
These three preachers would not all have been speaking at the one time, and in the same place. So it follows that each man had his own followers. These ‘disciples’ would follow whoever they thought was best, and it is striking that Christ is at the end of the list. Christ is reduced to one person in four. Small wonder that Paul starts his letter by addressing and correcting this important issue right up front. I trust we are of Christ and no other preacher, no matter how good we think they might be. Maybe it’s time to change our language!
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth because they were a troubled and divided group. Their idea of the gospel was coloured by the teachings of various people. The apostle started his letter with the warning in the verses above. Their difficulties individually and collectively stemmed from the truth of these words, and we would do well to take heed of the same pitfalls today.
The internet makes it easier to pay pick ‘n’ mix with preachers who sound good, and whose teachings are apparently sound. It’s not uncommon to hear some church folks say, “I like the way ‘X’ speaks”, or “It’s good that ‘Y’ doesn’t mince his words”, or even “ ‘Z’ is a false teacher and an antichrist”. Have you heard these words? Or more to the point, have you said them? We are told that the folks in the Corinth ‘church’ group quarrelled about who was the best. Paul makes it clear that this attitude was all wrong, and the Apostle was in the preferred list of preachers!
These three preachers would not all have been speaking at the one time, and in the same place. So it follows that each man had his own followers. These ‘disciples’ would follow whoever they thought was best, and it is striking that Christ is at the end of the list. Christ is reduced to one person in four. Small wonder that Paul starts his letter by addressing and correcting this important issue right up front. I trust we are of Christ and no other preacher, no matter how good we think they might be. Maybe it’s time to change our language!
Friday, 13 July 2018
Loose Talk. Again!
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
This verse is easy to understand, although some who might stray across the line will interpret the words ‘unwholesome talk’ to suit themselves and their need to be seen as ‘normal’, or ‘one of the guys’. Unwholesome talk or street language can be separated into swearing or ‘soft swearing’ which is as loose as it comes. The ordinary man and woman who bears no allegiance to a faith has no problems with swearing.
However, I have found to my surprise and sometimes shock, there are Christians who will see how close they can come to swearing, without actually saying the words. So you find people who should know better using the abbreviation OMG, and if you raise the issue, you will be told the ‘G’ means Gosh. They must be the only folks in the world who think that way, but it allows them to be more like their friends and not an outsider.
Another one that has come across my path recently is the expletive ‘sh**t’ which is a clear replacement for the word ‘sh*t’. Any check on Google will bear this out and I believe this is known to the user, but once again its usage can make them feel closer to the edge of language, and so too their peers.
So what, I can hear you say? You have been here before, and you are right, I have. I suppose my biggest problem is that my unchurched friends don’t use this kind of language especially on social media, but I do see and hear it from those in church leadership. Leaders who are younger in years and more recent theology graduates from our leading universities. Would you not agree that more is reasonably expected from our church pastors and leaders, such that speech should be above question, suspicion, or reproach? Or am I setting the bar too high for us all, leaders and laity alike?
Perhaps I am the one who is unreasonable and out of step?
This verse is easy to understand, although some who might stray across the line will interpret the words ‘unwholesome talk’ to suit themselves and their need to be seen as ‘normal’, or ‘one of the guys’. Unwholesome talk or street language can be separated into swearing or ‘soft swearing’ which is as loose as it comes. The ordinary man and woman who bears no allegiance to a faith has no problems with swearing.
However, I have found to my surprise and sometimes shock, there are Christians who will see how close they can come to swearing, without actually saying the words. So you find people who should know better using the abbreviation OMG, and if you raise the issue, you will be told the ‘G’ means Gosh. They must be the only folks in the world who think that way, but it allows them to be more like their friends and not an outsider.
Another one that has come across my path recently is the expletive ‘sh**t’ which is a clear replacement for the word ‘sh*t’. Any check on Google will bear this out and I believe this is known to the user, but once again its usage can make them feel closer to the edge of language, and so too their peers.
So what, I can hear you say? You have been here before, and you are right, I have. I suppose my biggest problem is that my unchurched friends don’t use this kind of language especially on social media, but I do see and hear it from those in church leadership. Leaders who are younger in years and more recent theology graduates from our leading universities. Would you not agree that more is reasonably expected from our church pastors and leaders, such that speech should be above question, suspicion, or reproach? Or am I setting the bar too high for us all, leaders and laity alike?
Perhaps I am the one who is unreasonable and out of step?
Thursday, 3 May 2018
Words
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Most, if not all of my good friends, use language carefully. They use the words which convey meaning best and don’t waste time dancing around a subject with big words, or worse still, words that are on the edge, if not over the edge, of profanity and cursing. These are the actions and life of my friends, but what about those others who inhabit a place of church leadership? Not all leaders, but some will try to be so close to the unchurched that they want to be just like them. If that means the odd ‘soft swearword’ (if such a thing exists) is spoken, then so be it. If that kind of language is adopted by one or more of the leaders in a holiness church, what then? Do we ignore it and swiftly move on, pretending we didn’t hear? This behaviour disturbs me. Am I right to be disturbed, or should I accept this kind of talk from everyone, whether a professing Christian or not?
When it comes to the subject of ‘unwholesome talk’ there is another side to the verse. What about the talk that’s less than ‘whole’ and in fact by its tone is a stumbling block? Not only are we required to keep our tongues clean, we have a responsibility to live out the truth of Christ in our day to day existence. After all, our tongue has the ability to build up and encourage, or tear down and discourage, or worse. When Christians talk to each other, not only do we have to avoid gossip and bad language, we must choose our words and tone carefully so that the wrong message is not conveyed. The warning is that the tongue can corrupt our whole life, “for it is set on fire by hell itself.” May our speech be acceptable to our Lord and Saviour at all times, and in all circumstances to all people.
In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. James 3:5,6 NLT
Most, if not all of my good friends, use language carefully. They use the words which convey meaning best and don’t waste time dancing around a subject with big words, or worse still, words that are on the edge, if not over the edge, of profanity and cursing. These are the actions and life of my friends, but what about those others who inhabit a place of church leadership? Not all leaders, but some will try to be so close to the unchurched that they want to be just like them. If that means the odd ‘soft swearword’ (if such a thing exists) is spoken, then so be it. If that kind of language is adopted by one or more of the leaders in a holiness church, what then? Do we ignore it and swiftly move on, pretending we didn’t hear? This behaviour disturbs me. Am I right to be disturbed, or should I accept this kind of talk from everyone, whether a professing Christian or not?
When it comes to the subject of ‘unwholesome talk’ there is another side to the verse. What about the talk that’s less than ‘whole’ and in fact by its tone is a stumbling block? Not only are we required to keep our tongues clean, we have a responsibility to live out the truth of Christ in our day to day existence. After all, our tongue has the ability to build up and encourage, or tear down and discourage, or worse. When Christians talk to each other, not only do we have to avoid gossip and bad language, we must choose our words and tone carefully so that the wrong message is not conveyed. The warning is that the tongue can corrupt our whole life, “for it is set on fire by hell itself.” May our speech be acceptable to our Lord and Saviour at all times, and in all circumstances to all people.
In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. James 3:5,6 NLT
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
But...
But you were washed clean, you were made holy, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. “I am allowed to do anything,” you say. My answer to this is that not all things are good. Even if it is true that “I am allowed to do anything,” I will not let anything control me like a slave. 1 Corinthians 6:11,12
In the verses just before this one, Paul lists the major sins which will keep us out of heaven, but somehow I don’t think those serious sins would apply to us. However, how about other sins which can be dangerous to the pilgrim, who is trying his or her best to stay close to the truth as shown in the life of Jesus, and the Scriptures? Is there a ‘but’ in our lives too?
We may not have an outrageous lifestyle, and people who don’t know us too well might even look up to us, but what about those smaller sins that get in our way? Our lives should reflect love in the way that God tells us through the Scriptures. I accept that we all love to a degree, but how far does it go? Do we love our Christian brothers and sisters only, and just enough that it makes a difference in the way others see us? Maybe it’s both what we say, and how we say it. Maybe, just maybe, in our efforts to be funny at the expense of others, we step over a line where non Christians would not go, and where they are surprised that we do. We may use the excuse that we are not doing any harm, and it’s only a manner of speaking, but I have to take note of these verses today.
I’m sure you have heard these words from a friend, “It’s just the way I am, and you have to accept me this way.” I have a surprise for you. No I don’t. This past few months have seen Christians speak and write very harmful things about other Christians who happen to hold a different political view. The UK Brexit referendum, and the USA Presidential Election has opened my eyes to what is seen as “acceptable talk”, and it certainly is not Christianity. It may be “Churchianity” but it is nothing more.
All I am asking (of myself too) is that we take more care of the things we say. Others are watching, and some are very young in the faith, or even being drawn by the Spirit to faith, and we are in danger of being a stumbling block by our language. It’s a choice, so I am asking that we all do a little better, and become more Christlike in our conversation. The difference could be startling in ourselves, and surprising in others!
Saturday, 14 May 2016
They're Just Words
I have heard the phrase “they’re just words” said by a prolific swearer, in an attempt to explain or excuse his inability to speak without profanity. “It’s just street language” is another way they might reply. Then there are those who swear now and again because they can’t help it as the words just tumble out. Then the justification is that they have always been like that so they can’t stop it now. It’s too late to change. There is a third type of swearing person, and that’s the one who hardly ever uses bad language, and who will use it for shock effect, or to reinforce a point. That way, the point is not overlooked. It is calculated and used to make sure you pay attention.
The Christian doesn’t swear, and they don’t have to take the Lord’s name in vain either. The reason is that their tongue and lips have been cleaned up. An encounter with Jesus Christ can and will remove the habit.
However, there is yet another category of person we need to recognise. These are the ones who claim Christ as Saviour, but like living close to the edge in their use of language. So, words which rhyme with a curse might be used in its place. Then there has been no swearing, but the listener knows what is going on and the witness (if any was intended) is lost. And what about someone who is called to a sanctified life of holiness, but occasionally and deliberately uses certain words for effect which can have a double meaning, leaving the message of any Word/words less than edifying, and does not reflect a Godly example? Let’s leave it there, except for these few verses which should be our guide into everything we say…..
But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;… James 3:8,9
Friday, 5 October 2012
How Come?
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? James 3:9-11 NKJV
We would say, “How come”? The Bible says “These things ought not to be so”, but the meaning is clear and the same. How come we hear good and bad from the same person? How come there is so much positive and negative from the same lips? How come we hear prayers and gossip from the same mouth? But wait a minute. Hold on there, James is speaking to fellow Christians who share the name of Jesus. It was like that then, and it is no different today. When it comes to the tongue, we have not learned very much have we?
By way of some explanation, I am very aware that there are young Christians who will learn the teachings of the gospel, and may have come from a very different and difficult background. They have a path to walk which is not the same as someone who has borne the name of Jesus for many years, and is known as a ‘christian’. Can I suggest that such a person does much harm to their witness, and the witness of the church by not guarding their mouth? Before you respond, I recognise there is a difference between the slip of the tongue, and the almost ‘expected and normal’ use of their coarse language, or even when it is written down in a public social media forum for all to see.
Yes I am guilty of saying things I shouldn’t, but I pray I will never be seen as a poor mirror to the sunshine of God’s love by my talk, language or life. And yes, I also have to work on my impatience with the mature believer who still cannot bridle their tongue. Guilty as charged!
We would say, “How come”? The Bible says “These things ought not to be so”, but the meaning is clear and the same. How come we hear good and bad from the same person? How come there is so much positive and negative from the same lips? How come we hear prayers and gossip from the same mouth? But wait a minute. Hold on there, James is speaking to fellow Christians who share the name of Jesus. It was like that then, and it is no different today. When it comes to the tongue, we have not learned very much have we?
By way of some explanation, I am very aware that there are young Christians who will learn the teachings of the gospel, and may have come from a very different and difficult background. They have a path to walk which is not the same as someone who has borne the name of Jesus for many years, and is known as a ‘christian’. Can I suggest that such a person does much harm to their witness, and the witness of the church by not guarding their mouth? Before you respond, I recognise there is a difference between the slip of the tongue, and the almost ‘expected and normal’ use of their coarse language, or even when it is written down in a public social media forum for all to see.
Yes I am guilty of saying things I shouldn’t, but I pray I will never be seen as a poor mirror to the sunshine of God’s love by my talk, language or life. And yes, I also have to work on my impatience with the mature believer who still cannot bridle their tongue. Guilty as charged!
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Language
TV comedy star Sir David Jason has hit out at the amount of sex and swearing that children are exposed to on modern television. His comments follow a BBC executive’s claim that crude language is acceptable in comedies because they are designed to cause offence and make viewers “flinch”. Sir David, who played Del Boy Trotter in the classic BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses, said he finds it impossible to protect his ten-year-old daughter Sophie from sexual content and swearing on television.
Stripping
In an interview for the Christmas Radio Times, the actor said: “I try to protect what she sees on television, but you can’t. “Take the adverts. I was watching SpongeBob, a favourite cartoon of ours, but suddenly a scent advert came on with this girl stripping off as she walks towards the camera. “It’s done for mums but they forget a lot of girls are watching these powerful images.”
Boundaries
Sir David, 71, slammed modern-day comedians, saying, “Today they push down the barriers. Take the F word. It’s become commonplace.” The actor added: “There wasn’t much on the telly the other night so with Sophie and her friend we watched Laurel and Hardy, made in the 1930s, and these kids laughed like drains. “That’s humour – doing what funny people have done since comedy began without being edgy and pushing boundaries.”
Flinch
Caroline Thomson, the BBC’s chief operating officer, told a conference last week: “Yes. I watch comedy shows and flinch. But I think sometimes that is one of the points of comedy.” The BBC chief commented that there was an “enormous inter-generational difference about what is acceptable”. She added: “It is very tricky because language that will give you offence, won’t give me offence. And language which gives me serious offence won’t give my son offence.”
Swearing
But Vivienne Pattison, director of Mediawatch UK, said the comments proved Miss Thomson was “out of step with her audience”. She added: “Ofcom do research every year asking if there is too much swearing on TV. “And more than 50 per cent of viewers say there is too much. “The idea that bad language in comedy is good – it’s not big, it’s not clever and it’s not funny.”
Stripping
In an interview for the Christmas Radio Times, the actor said: “I try to protect what she sees on television, but you can’t. “Take the adverts. I was watching SpongeBob, a favourite cartoon of ours, but suddenly a scent advert came on with this girl stripping off as she walks towards the camera. “It’s done for mums but they forget a lot of girls are watching these powerful images.”
Boundaries
Sir David, 71, slammed modern-day comedians, saying, “Today they push down the barriers. Take the F word. It’s become commonplace.” The actor added: “There wasn’t much on the telly the other night so with Sophie and her friend we watched Laurel and Hardy, made in the 1930s, and these kids laughed like drains. “That’s humour – doing what funny people have done since comedy began without being edgy and pushing boundaries.”
Flinch
Caroline Thomson, the BBC’s chief operating officer, told a conference last week: “Yes. I watch comedy shows and flinch. But I think sometimes that is one of the points of comedy.” The BBC chief commented that there was an “enormous inter-generational difference about what is acceptable”. She added: “It is very tricky because language that will give you offence, won’t give me offence. And language which gives me serious offence won’t give my son offence.”
Swearing
But Vivienne Pattison, director of Mediawatch UK, said the comments proved Miss Thomson was “out of step with her audience”. She added: “Ofcom do research every year asking if there is too much swearing on TV. “And more than 50 per cent of viewers say there is too much. “The idea that bad language in comedy is good – it’s not big, it’s not clever and it’s not funny.”
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Foul Language
Record numbers of people are complaining about the use of foul language on TV and radio programmes. Ofcom, the communications regulator, received 500 complaints in the first three months of this year, and has been asked to rule on a further 1,159 complaints from 2009. These figures represent a significant increase since 2006 when there were 841 complaints.
Obscene
Critics have attacked the use of obscene language, and called on Ofcom to impose stricter guidelines. Vivienne Pattison, director of Mediawatch-UK, said: “This kind of language is not tolerated in the office or in the playground, so why is it on television? “Ofcom’s guidelines should also be tightened up so it is really clear what is acceptable and what is not. And when a company breaches the guidelines there should be real sanctions.”
One of the things I dislike the most, living in the West of Scotland, is the 'street language'. That's the name given for foul mouthed people, who speak about other foul mouthed people, as if it's an excuse or even a reason for swearing and cursing openly.
It's not too difficult to see the reasons for this unacceptable behaviour. We have come to tolerate much more bad language on TV, and it is even used in the home. No surprise then, when toddlers learn at an early age how to curse like the rest of the population, and the parents have the nerve to say, "I don't know where they picked that up". It's funny how they also know how to use the words, and what tone of voice to take!
It is also becoming evident that people who don't actually swear will substitute a word which sounds like swearing, rhymes with the real swear word, and can be used in the same manner. This is usually adopted by those who don't want to be said to swear, but want to 'join the club' of those who do, maybe making themselves appear bigger than they are, and don't have the nerve or backbone to be different, and speak without cursing! I find the non swearing 'swearers' harder to accept than those who swear outright. I think it is the pretence of 'goodness' that gets to me most.
I certainly would not advocate cursing and swearing at any age, or by any person, so my message to those who are on the fringes of having a foul mouth is, STOP IT, you are doing yourself no favours!!!
It is also becoming evident that people who don't actually swear will substitute a word which sounds like swearing, rhymes with the real swear word, and can be used in the same manner. This is usually adopted by those who don't want to be said to swear, but want to 'join the club' of those who do, maybe making themselves appear bigger than they are, and don't have the nerve or backbone to be different, and speak without cursing! I find the non swearing 'swearers' harder to accept than those who swear outright. I think it is the pretence of 'goodness' that gets to me most.
I certainly would not advocate cursing and swearing at any age, or by any person, so my message to those who are on the fringes of having a foul mouth is, STOP IT, you are doing yourself no favours!!!
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