Swearing and cursing in films

[georgesbluegirl]

I agree that sometimes swearing is inappropriate for films and totally tasteless, but movies made for more mature audiences shouldn't face restrictions or really much criticism for including profanity. Real life isn't rated G, Lord knows. Taking the swearing out of movies like "Volver" or "City of God" or "Sideways" (all amazing films, some of my favorites...actually two aren't in English but there's Spanish and Portugese swearing in the other two so my point stands) and you sacrifice realism, the ability of the viewer to suspend disbelief and become invested in the story. It feels fake.

Plus to say that there isn't any artistic merit in the use of a swear word is false...though that's another conversation that would involve, among other things, Shakespeare, the stage, and a discussion of poetry capturing a culture of violence. (If anyone wants to have that conversation, by all means let's).

I do agree that there are fewer and fewer tamed down kids' movies coming out minus profanity etc. I think that has to do more with what the market demands than anything else though, and that has to do with what is happening culturally. Kids have cell phones and the internet now...who needs singing baby animals? They know that's not what real life is about - for better or worse.

[Guest]

"Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

Isaiah 6:5

I would say that quite a lot of teenagers (the thuggish kind, anyway), are not bothered about their future

Sinner's Heart

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Proverbs 8:36

God's Heart

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

Warrior's Cry

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Luke 10:2

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25

Love, Your Brother Joe

[DarkNebulaWelder]

"Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

Isaiah 6:5

I would say that quite a lot of teenagers (the thuggish kind, anyway), are not bothered about their future

Sinner's Heart

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Proverbs 8:36

God's Heart

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

Warrior's Cry

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Luke 10:2

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25

Love, Your Brother Joe

Joe....if you don't mind me asking, how on EARTH do you remember all of these verses?

That's awesome.

[Guest]

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."Psalms 126:6

Joe....if you don't mind me asking, how on EARTH do you remember all of these verses?

Dear Sister

Since my (little) stroke a few years ago, I don't remember much of anything except my darling wife of 36 years and The Name of Jesus and my brothers and sisters in The Lord and the lost I see and weep over and pray for.

Hosanna!

My LORD holds my salvation - My sweetheart does my taxes - Worthy remembers my name

Worthy Ministries is a direct answer to prayer and a great blessing and comfort to this well-vexed soul.

I rejoice as I see The Hand of God at Worthy

I rejoice as I see The Work of God upon this dying planet.

I rejoice as I see The Hand of God upon Israel!

Maranatha!

Hosanna!

"Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field."

Zechariah 10:1

Hosanna!

"Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant."

Job 14:8-9

I Deeply Love My Dear Brothers And Precious Sisters.

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

Hebrews 10:16

I Thank God Daily.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Romans 1:8

I See The Heart Of The One Called Worthy

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:2

I See The Heart Of His Daddy

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

I'm Crushed By My Filthy Rags

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Isaiah 64:6

I'm Overwhelmed By His Grace

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

I'm Overjoyed At His Sure Promise Of Eternal Love And Fellowship

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelations 22:3-5

You and me kid, we'll sing together forever to our LORD, The KING OF KINGS.

Maranatha!

Rejoice evermore.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

I pray and I search The Bible.

Sometimes I weep and sometimes I laugh but I always search And pray and post from my knees.

Sir - I Would See Jesus

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 5:39

Thank you for asking.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

[Guest Blood-Washed]

Dear FresnoJoe,

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with the topic of Swearing and Cursing in films, but I just want to say that you are a blessing to everyone here on Worthy and I really think that a lot of us have a LOT to learn from you my brother in Christ.

May God root you deeper and deeper in His amazing love.

[DarkNebulaWelder]

I agree that sometimes swearing is inappropriate for films and totally tasteless, but movies made for more mature audiences shouldn't face restrictions or really much criticism for including profanity. Real life isn't rated G, Lord knows. Taking the swearing out of movies like "Volver" or "City of God" or "Sideways" (all amazing films, some of my favorites...actually two aren't in English but there's Spanish and Portugese swearing in the other two so my point stands) and you sacrifice realism, the ability of the viewer to suspend disbelief and become invested in the story. It feels fake.

Plus to say that there isn't any artistic merit in the use of a swear word is false...though that's another conversation that would involve, among other things, Shakespeare, the stage, and a discussion of poetry capturing a culture of violence. (If anyone wants to have that conversation, by all means let's).

I do agree that there are fewer and fewer tamed down kids' movies coming out minus profanity etc. I think that has to do more with what the market demands than anything else though, and that has to do with what is happening culturally. Kids have cell phones and the internet now...who needs singing baby animals? They know that's not what real life is about - for better or worse.

I don't think that the use of swearing has as all that much to do with one's education level, or the lack thereof. I know plenty of educated and intelligent people who swear on a regular basis. Use of foul language depends more on one's fallen condition than his/her IQ. I know that a lot of people think I'm "refined" because I rarely swear, and I guess this word fits more than "intelligent," but I also think it has to do more with one's fallen state....man is fallen, people swear, and movies just reflect this.

In fact, I think that the whole urge to swear comes from a deep frustration and bitterness that many people feel...I've noticed that, the angrier the person, the more inclined they are to use profanity....and not just in fits of anger, but in general conversation as well.

I think it's a truly pathetic commentary of our culture.

As far as shock value goes, I think that swearing is so ingrained in our culture that profanity doesn't really "shock" that much anymore. As I said earlier, it a manner of speaking that the audience can relate to, which is why it's constantly employed.

Edited May 28, 2007 by DarkNebulaWelder