Swearing and cursing in films

[Guest]

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Matthew 15:18

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:10

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

[Guest Blood-Washed]

And the sad thing is that it isn't only in films but on television more and more, including programs with a "general audience" rating!

Personally I have decided that the first time anyone uses any form of foul language on television, I change the channel or switch it off - PERIOD!

Unfortunately my husband and I don't share the same conviction on this subject, for instance last night there was a program on cars on the television, which was really interesting, and then suddenly.... this guy got angry and said Jesus' name as an expression of his anger! My first reaction was "this is a bunch of junk!" and my husband just calmly replied "if you have to switch off the television each time someone swears on it, then you'll never watch television". Well, then so be it! To sit and participate in programs that brings dishonor to my Lord's Name is blasphemous and just plain looking for trouble. And the worst is probably the way that everyone uses God's Holy Name as a expression for everything.... "oh my G.." for everyting!

I will much rather get up and read a book or spend quality time with my children than sit and fill my mind with filth. It is really sad, and there are some really good movies out there which I would love to watch, but not at that cost.

It's time we stop compromising with the world and take a stand to live holy lives as we are called to do.

Shalom

[sweetycakes]

I hate any kind of bad language, profanity or blasphemy, whether in films or in real life.

I am faced with it constantly in my work.

Of course, I do succumb to it myself, occasionally, when I REALLY lose my temper, for example, but I don't make a habit of it, definitely not.

I think that people who swear are most often doing it to 'look hard' or 'look tough'.

There is really no need for it, especially when it is something that can quite easily be avoided, compared to some of the other temptations we are daily faced with.

I try always to moderate my speech and the language I use, as I am constantly reminded of the scripture that says,

"For every idle word that a man shall speak, he shall give account thereof in the day of judgement."

This is something that is constantly with me.

It's so sad to hear people using the 'F' word three times in a five word sentence. And this happens, quite a lot!

[MorningGlory]

The thing is that the film, DVD or TV or what ever, is usually a very up to date one and almost always features people saying the "F" word literally every second or third word. One DVD that he got last week (don't know the title, but it something about somebody having unwittingly ingested a slow acting poison and they were driving a car fast and recklessly to "keep moving" in an endeavour to slow the poison's affect) was so bad with the swearing and cursing - and lack of sensible story - that it was hard to even discern what it was all about. I never watch these films, but "play on the computer" which is at the other end of the room to the TV set so I am constantly bombarded with "F" words. If I complain about it, Andy tells me "everybody swears, get over it!" I think if I was having a conversation with somebody who talked like they do on these films I would soon avoid that person altogether and if it was a workmate I just wouldn't work with them until they agreed to not talk that way. I just don't want to hear "the f'ing this, the f'ing that" all the time. Is this so strange?

My husband just sits there and the language "brushes over him" and it is like he doesn't even notice. He is not as rude about it as Andy, but thinks I am over reacting. Andy works "out in the bush" so maybe his workmates do talk like this, but I doubt if my husband's workmates do.

Am I? Or does anyone else feel the way I do about this? And why do filmmakers find it necessary to weave obscenities several times into every sentence in their movies? Is it to show realism? Or is it a way to make swearing acceptable because kids can say "everybody swears, just listen to that"?

I believe it's for shock value, always 'pushing the envelope' to see how much more foul they can make a film without going too far. We vote with our wallets on these issues. If the public doesn't rent or buy this garbage, it will go away.

That being said, as a Mom myself, in MY house MY rules apply. My children have their own homes now and can do as they please there. They would not be allowed to watch these types of films in MY home, they know it, and wouldn't try it. They are both older than your son but would know better than to tell me to 'get over it' also. Exercise your Mom muscles, bts, you shouldn't have to feel uncomfortable in your own home, IMO.

[DarkNebulaWelder]

I hate any kind of bad language, profanity or blasphemy, whether in films or in real life.

I am faced with it constantly in my work.

Of course, I do succumb to it myself, occasionally, when I REALLY lose my temper, for example, but I don't make a habit of it, definitely not.

I think that people who swear are most often doing it to 'look hard' or 'look tough'.

Hey, there Stephen...Thanks for being so honest. I, too, work in a place where cursing is the norm. For the most part, I try to block it out, or I will tell the guys that there's no need for that. For the most part, they are respectful (knowing that I am a Christian), and apologize, but it's still aggravating. I am trying to exercise patience, though.

Even though I RARELY curse, it is still an area in my life that I DEFINITELY need God's strength to overcome. Every day, I pray for his strength that no words like this ever come out of my mouth. On the rare occasions that they do, I'm always sure to apologize...first, to the people around me, then to God.

For the most part, I have found that if people know that such language offends you, they will try to clean it up.

Cursing is a bad habit that I picked up in the Navy, and something that doesn't die easily....which is anotherreason why I try to avoid movies with foul language. I don't want to become accustomed to that manner of speech, as I once was. If I hear it enough, I'm afraid I will become "numb" to it once again.

Edited May 28, 2007 by DarkNebulaWelder

[INLJ]

Well, movie reflect our life... how many ppl out of hundred use the word F in their everyday life? A LOT, most of them... So... I`m not saying I like it...

[Wingwalker]

I dont really know why they do it, but I do know why I dont do it!

[sweetycakes]

I think that people who swear are most often doing it to 'look hard' or 'look tough'.

Yes, from my observation, and from asking people, it is apparent to me that this is the case, most often, especially among the youth.

In the world's twisted viewpoint, they see this as a sign of strength, but in my opinion, it is rather a sign of weakness......since they are having to conform with those around them in order to get 'respect'

[buckthesystem]

Is this a consequence of the world "dumbing down" process? Or is it that people are so angry and frustrated with the way the world is today that they are so full of hate all the time and it comes out in their speech?

It seems that this is a consequence of the boom in communications over the past 50 years or so. The world has always been a sad and angry place, but previously if you were frustrated and angry with "your lot", you fancied that it was only true for your part of the world. Now we know that people have problems everywhere and we only need to press a few buttons to find out, in a few seconds, what is going on half a world away.

I have had a theory for a while that older school kids and teenagers are constantly angry with the world because they see a future for themselves of not getting a proper education, being in constant debt, not being able to look forward to owning their own house and paying massive and ever increasing taxes all their life just to retire and have nothing to live on.

But the thing is "standards". We used to have standards saying that it was not acceptable to have swearing in the movies. Some years ago if one of today's movies was launched on the public, there would be an enormous amount of protest, nobody would go and see it and the producer and director would be charged with "distributing lewd material" (or something like that). Why have we dropped this standard?

[sweetycakes]

I have had a theory for a while that older school kids and teenagers are constantly angry with the world because they see a future for themselves of not getting a proper education, being in constant debt, not being able to look forward to owning their own house and paying massive and ever increasing taxes all their life just to retire and have nothing to live on.

I don't agree with that, Buck.

I would say that quite a lot of teenagers (the thuggish kind, anyway), are not bothered about their future, or about jobs, and they just don't care.

There has been a trend for some years here in England, whereby politicians and 'do gooders' are quick to blame the problems of youth on......believe it or not.....

"These kids don't have any youth club to go to in their area.!

No youth club?....Give me a break!!

If opening a youth club would solve the problems caused by youths, the answer would be simple.

Kids today claim that they are so hard-done-to.

Yet the kids who mug a 90 year old woman for