Hey guys,
Great podcast this week - You really have me thinking!
I guess I'm one of those people who gets caught off guard by certain words, even by hearing someone say "crap", which is so common now. And, yeah, "f...ing" really stops me in my tracks.

As I'm listening to your program, though, I'm having an "aha" moment. I think this is another one of those hidden cultural shifts that most of us don't recognize.

I'm one generation older than you guys. I think the whole approach to these words has changed. I was taught by my grandma that words referring to personal/private parts or functions of the body are just not used as expressions that mean anything else, because they either degrade the actual meaning or they cause someone to be uncomfortable. Of course, there's also the seriousness of damnation and respect for God's name that applies too.

For my generation, choice of words was less about the most effective communication and more an issue of etiquette and of expression of one's personal values. If it made someone think of less than "lovely" things it was considered insensitive.

In today's culture people are much more matter of fact about those personal issues, which allows the words to be seen as also very matter of fact uses of language. I can understand why it would be hard to see the problem from my generation's perspective. We're also less concerned today about using expletives of any kind. I was also taught that use of any expletive when frustrated or angry was a lack of self control, inconsiderate of people around us, and inappropriate.

These were strong values when I was growing up, for pretty much everyone, except for people who were seen as not concerned about other people or about personal integrity. So, "naughty words" always have some kind of impact when I hear them, although I think the cultural shift is leaking into my perspective too! :) I even say "crap" sometimes when I'm alone! (Ok, Bob, don't fall down laughing)

Maybe it's mostly a matter of being sensitive to those who are impacted by your words. We hearers can try to take them in the context in which they're intended, but maybe the speakers also need to be sensitive to another culture that can't easily be set aside when the new one arrives.

I appreciate Dion's concern for being sensitive to his audience when he's preaching. I think public speech is a different thing that private, because so many different people hear you. I love Matt's approach of doing the loving thing if he finds he's offended someone, even if he didn't technically do anything wrong.

I also love you guys for who you are and understand where you're coming from. Don't worry, you don't have to be scared that I'll be offended by your words. Just don't be surprised if you see me pause for a second sometimes when I need to process. I think it's a learning process for all of us!

I have to say that crap is my all time favorite word. I say it all the time in many different contexts. But, in my opinion, it's a lot more accepted, so it's better than saying "Damn it", which I say often, but not all the time. I do have to say, though, that I get really offended when people use words, like jack-ass, and tell me that it's okay because it's in the bible. Well, yes, jack-ass is in the bible, but it's used to describe a donkey, not when someone cuts you off in traffic. I don't have the cleanest mouth, but don't tell me not to use certain words when you do this. It's just being hypocritical. And I really don't like hypocrites (it's kind of a pet peeve of mine) Anyway, great episode-I'm sure it will make a lot of people stop and think.

I suddenly have an interest to learn Hebrew. lol

But anyways, I was wondering how people would respond to me if I talked about the gospel using naughty words. For example I might say sin is a synonym to crap. So if I said "Jesus died to break you free from your crap," would that be a more effective or offensive way of preaching. I guess I'm thinking of the younger generation where the word sin means philosophically dirty than literally dirty.

Another great "everyday" topic, guys (at least, everyday for me).

One thing that I think plays into this generational difference is the scholarly work that has been done recently with regard to language and translation. You guys said it over and over, and I agree, that "words are words." Translation, especially with ancient languages, isn't as clear cut as most people think. It's not enough to consider that "Shalom" translates to "peace." You have to also consider what peace means in that culture AND at the time it was written. It's the same thing with "schmuck." At one time, it meant something. But in THIS culture, in THIS time, it means something else. There is a new awareness that language is fluid and dynamic, rather than logical and systematic.

Do people really believe that God is offended by even the almighty F-bomb? Is a word, in and of itself, evil or sinful? I don't think so. The negative associations we have with certain words are OUR issues, not God's.

By the way, I have another argument that would be used against your points. Matthew 15: 10-11 is Jesus saying that what goes into a man's mouth doesn't make him unclean, but what comes out. Now, IMO, that isn't so much concerned with the words a person is using, but what they are saying and why they're saying it. But I have heard that argument before.

Now I have my words that I don't think anyone should say under any circumstances. The list is short, and at least, for me, it's been well thought out in that I struggle to really find any purpose for using the word that isn't about taking someone down.

Anyways....great topic guys. Keep up the great work.

Hi guys. Here's one for you:

My interpreation is as follows: We are to be salt and light to the world. We live in the world but we are not of this world. In today's society and culture, the use of Carlin's curse words (and other "naughty words") is a symptom of the decline of moral & ethical standards.

I want my light to shine as bright as it can. I don't want people to look at me and think my light is tainted by what comes out of my mouth. Plus, if I'm not careful, I end up cursing way too much and it becomes a personal problem I have to deal with.

When dealing with someone new, first impressions are everything. They can make or break whatever the situation is. I mean, you probably wouldn't want to use curse words during a job interview since you want to give the best impression possible.

As far as "shmuck" is concerned, using a strong word to get a point across; in the proper context is an appropriate action. As you all pointed out, the bible uses very direct language that has been edited out of modern bibles. I know some people who to this day, will not refer to a donkey as an "ass" even though that is what the original word is.

On the PBS show "Keeping up Appearances", the main character meets a rather eccentric woman with a hunting rifle, asking where her "damned bitch" ran off to. In this case, she was referring to her gunshy hunting dog. It's all about context.

However, since there is so much negativity attached in people's minds to certain words, if possible, I would try to use more positive words. Perhaps consulting a Thesaurs would be a good place to start. There are a plethora of words in the english language, and we sadly only use a small handful of them.

C ya around, y'all!!!

captcha: money balance -- nice combo

Dion, you're not the first pastor to get caught on this one. I recall hearing of another incident, although I think the Yiddish word in question that time was putz, which means the same thing. (I'm not sure which is worse.) And everybody said that when I was a kid. Wasn't said at least five times on every episode of Happy Days? Anyway, I now tend to use shlemiel (the one who spills the soup) as it is also quite fun to say, and provides some emphasis, if not as much. Or shlub, which sounds kinda dirty, but I'm pretty sure it's not. I usually reserve schmuck for southbound M-5 during the morning rush hour, which probably means I'm using it in the wrong way, especially if it's preceded by an f-bomb. (Whoops...)

If you want to get all legalistic about it, Matthew 5:22 says "But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire." So it doesn't matter what word you use, does it?

I'm definitely in the camp of wondering what shmendrik decided which words are on the list and which aren't. George Carlin had some mighty fine reasons why some of those words shouldn't be. I've even heard a few words from the pulpit lately that we weren't allowed to say as kids in rural Ohio.

I think I was a little uncomfortable with Matt's nickname for one episode of Geeks and God. After that, it's just his initials. The first time I tried to share a G&G episode with my wife, I had trouble understanding what her big deal was, because by then, I didn't even think about it any more. I guess that fits in with the whole concept of context.

To wrap this up, I'll follow up on John Jackson's comment. When it comes to the sort of gray areas - is x a sin or isn't it - my pastor always recommends that Christians should always try to live at the highest possible level. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but our response to what Christ did for us, and to enable us to live missionally, is to follow His model as closely as we can. To me, that means trying to err on the side of caution, but without always being a complete nudnik about it.

And no, I'm not the least bit Jewish. But, like Pastor Dion, I'm kind of a word guy. And Yiddish words are fun. Sometimes even the naughty ones.

This was my favorite SAP episode to date. Keep 'em coming!

Micah

I admit up front that I am guilty of using my share of 'course' language. I think perhaps one of the strogest admonissions agaist it susage in the Bible is Ephesians 4:29

Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it. (Amplified)

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (Message)

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (KJV)

I think in living missionally our mouth is one of the many areas we use to glorify God and so it is in need of training as much so as the mind, faith, prayer life etc. I understand the 'it's just words' discussion having used it as well however the verses quoted above don't support the 'just words' philosophy. We are tasked with being and exaple and glorifing God in all that we do. That doesn't mean we can't fall short or miss the mark but we need to inderstand that is what we have done and work to do better.

The previous comment was mine sorry.

I have thought much about this episode. While I have many moments of bad language that slips out of my mouth - there are even more that stay in my head, ruminating there unsaid. Maybe those words are more harmful than the ones that are freed from my lips; more harmful to me and to the person they are directed at.

I think that language should be part of what sets us apart as followers of Christ. Would I say those words if Christ were in the room with me? Even more, would I think them?

What I really need to change is my heart and mind to the understanding that Christ IS is the room with me - and in my head.

And Luther's statement of "daily I sin much" hits home yet again.