One day a man was in the hospital and had a stream of visitors from his church. Two men had stopped by, when their quiet conversation was interrupted by another patient's peppery language from behind the curtain. Before leaving, the visitors read some Scripture and prayed. After they left, the roommate loosed another string of expletives and then sheepishly confessed, "If I had known one of those guys was a minister, I'd have watched my #%*@! language." "Oh?" the man replied, "Well actually, theywere the deacons in the church. I'm the minister."
I suppose most ministers could share a similar story. There have been numerous times when someone let profanity slip in my presence and would hasten to say, "Sorry, Preacher." To which, I usually respond soemthing similiar to: "I appreciate your sensitivity, but you need not direct your apology to me, only to God."
The tragedy today is there are many people who have become so habituated to unclean talk that they are unaware they are using it.
A Brief History of *&%@!
Emperor Caligula of ancient Rome responded to his critics by extending his crooked arm in an obscene gesture. That same gesture is still used today nearly 20 centuries later, particularly in Europe.
Scholars have discovered profanity carved in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Chaucer, medieval poet-author of The Canterbury Tales, peppered his language with obscenities, but not everyone followed suit immediately. Jonathan Swift, whose biting satire was often was often criticized, chose milder language, once objecting to the use of the word "mob" because it was too vulgar.
In the Victorian era of the 19th century, "leg" was considered sexually explicit, the terms "lib" and lower extremity were substituted.
In the 1930's free-speech cases were won on behalf of James Joyce and other authors whose language reached a new level of profanity.
After World War II public swearing increased dramatically as soldiers brought home their barracks vocabulary.
President Truman's freedom in swearing was once a significant campaign issue, and President Kennedy was once criticized for repeating favorite profane phrase of his father.
The Vietnam era brought profanity to an all-time high as anti-war activists used graphic sexual language to emphasize their anger and to draw attention to their message.
Scholars say that swearwords have not changed much over the years. People today are using the same cursed words Benjamin Franklin used in his day.
Nowadays, even some Christian ministers use profanity, usually with the rationalization that it helps make a point.
Where will it end? Or will it just get worse?
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH PROFANITY
LIGHT HUMOR:
Very carefully and tactfully used, light humor can be employed to criticize the offender. This is most effective with friend and depends on good taste and timing.
THE SILENT TREATMENT:
Since conversations depend on give and take, a sudden refusal to respond will be noticeable. In response to offensive language, total failure to answer, or an awkward pause before answering, will signal that something is wrong. In a quiet, controlled social setting, silence is often the best choice and can be accompanied by a meaningful look.
NONVEBAL RESPONSE:
Folded arms, scowl, looking away, or turning away to speak to someone else are common body language signals to report that offence has been taken at the use of profanity. Visibly wincing at obscenities indicates hurt and displeasure.
ASSERTIVENESS:
A very simple, tactful statement is sometimes used to point out what might have become an unconscious habit of swearing.
Keep your words polite, calm and to the point, something like "Excuse me. I wish you wouldn't use that kind of language. It offends me." When done correctly, such statements are unarguable and answerable. A polite Christian witness can also be used something like, "Since I gave my life to Jesus Christ, that kind of language offends me."
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you guilty...or do you even care? (apathy)
...and remember:
"Profanity is the sign of a weak mind trying to express itself forcibly".
No comments:
Post a Comment