On Profanity

Somehow it seems that the use of language which profanes the name of Deity has become a most flagrantly casual custom, until one may hear it sometimes in the most unexpected places and from the most unexpected people. Some of those who permit themselves profane utterance may be merely careless of thoughtless; some seem to be self-consciously affecting an air of sophistication; some seem defiantly offensive. Sometimes offensive oaths and profane utterances are used by those who may sincerely feel that they are adding strength and force and firmness. But whenever a person feels that he must employ profanity to add weight to his words, one rather suspects that there is some inherent weakness in his words, which fact he is trying to cover up by the use of an overdose of bad language⎯like trying to kill the flavor of unsavory food with a suspiciously heavy covering of condiments. A simple truth does not need the bolstering of bad language. A simple truth simply needs accurate and sincere utterance. And aside from religious and moral considerations, the common use of profanity and oaths does much to weaken our words. Our tongue is a powerful tool if we will use it with direct and earnest simplicity and not attempt to blast our way through our ideas with profane and irreverent utterance. At best, profanity is in bad taste; at worst, it is a grave offense. Scarcely would it seem consistent to pray for divine favor for the protection of our loved ones, for the preservation of our lives, for peace, for health and happiness, and for our daily needs, and then go about profaning the name of Him whom we have asked for help. There is still this commandment for the keeping of which we are still accountable: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”¹ “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” ²