Profanity, The Last Word
1 Corinthians 13:5 "[Love] is not rude"
In addition to my previously posted four guiding principles for when not to use coarse language, let us remember that love is the fulfillment of the law.
Perhaps a coarse word does not blaspheme God, does not curse men, does not glorify sexual immorality, and does not express anger. Is it then always OK to say it? Of course not.
If the word has no defensible edifying potential, then it would be unloving to upset people for no good reason. And even if the word has defensible edifying potential, you still have to know your audience. Sometimes, probably most times, coarse language will obscure the communication of your message.
But I'll never choose rules over reason for the sake of polite pragmatism. So that's why I've insisted on thinking these things through. I think the most prudish of commentators should admit the possibility that sometimes, even if ever so rarely in their opinion, coarse language actually enhances communication. Paul certainly seemed to think so. If you've really got something to say, sometimes it's worth administering a little shock to your audience in order to get heard.
In addition to my previously posted four guiding principles for when not to use coarse language, let us remember that love is the fulfillment of the law.
Perhaps a coarse word does not blaspheme God, does not curse men, does not glorify sexual immorality, and does not express anger. Is it then always OK to say it? Of course not.
If the word has no defensible edifying potential, then it would be unloving to upset people for no good reason. And even if the word has defensible edifying potential, you still have to know your audience. Sometimes, probably most times, coarse language will obscure the communication of your message.
But I'll never choose rules over reason for the sake of polite pragmatism. So that's why I've insisted on thinking these things through. I think the most prudish of commentators should admit the possibility that sometimes, even if ever so rarely in their opinion, coarse language actually enhances communication. Paul certainly seemed to think so. If you've really got something to say, sometimes it's worth administering a little shock to your audience in order to get heard.
posted by isaiah543 at 7:56 PM
1 Comments:
I'm guessing you're thinking of Romans 14? Or maybe the Proverb that says it's the glory of a man to overlook an offense?
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