Americans and Cursing - Page 2

**edwest2** · #16 Feb 22, '11, 12:48 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by m8g8

It would be wonderful if enough people did this, but I can't see it happening unfortunately. Maybe the humanists will do it for us lol.

We can fight this by A) Turning it off.

B) Contacting www.fcc.gov and politely complaining.

Remember, no one is forcing you to go to the movies or watch TV. Make a choice to do good.

God bless,
Ed

**Dale_M** · #17 Feb 22, '11, 1:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwest2

We can fight this by A) Turning it off.

B) Contacting www.fcc.gov and politely complaining.

I would also add the need to support media which does reflect the values desired. Due to the proliferation of cable, satellite and online video feeds, the market will respond if people vote with their money.

mdrummer5 · #18 Feb 23, '11, 8:16 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by abucs

Watching quite a few American movies it seems that the use of 'Jesus Christ' as a cuss word is quite common. As a non American, i find that very strange.

Is that usage of 'Jesus Christ' actually part of the American culture, or is it mainly a media idea?

Guilty.

I've tried very hard to refrain from this since my decision to convert and honestly anymore, when it does happen it's out of pure habit so it's just a matter of catching myself before it slips out.

Now (when appropriate) I use more acceptable cuss words consisting of four letters that I will get in trouble for if I use them here

Nec5 · #19 Feb 23, '11, 10:11 am

One additional thing that might help any issues regarding television choices is allowing consumers to pick and choose only the channels they want. This bundling scheme by cable/satellite operators is a scam. A channel should be able to sell itself.

I'm told that as Internet access improves, this will kind of be a moot point because people will simply choose individual programs online and skip everything else. In effect, bundling and the middleman will get cut. We'll see.

I don't look to the FCC for moral guidance.

odile53 · #20 Feb 27, '11, 4:47 am

Sadly this has become so much a part of modern culture that it is nearly impossible to go into the workplace or the supermarket, or whereever else, and not hear a couple of cuss bombs, as well as the gratuitous taking the Lord's name in vain, etc.

I have a very bright colleague that uses foul language consistently. I've never heard this man complete a sentence without a cuss word. And trust me, I'm perfectly capable of using foul language myself, but continue to try to be more aware of what I'm about to say, and it's a struggle (and a recurrent theme when I go to confession.)

One day when I was working with this man, the stream of invective and creative blasphemy got a little too much to listen to in the background. I looked up from my keyboard, fixed him with a glare, and inquired, "Tell me, do you EAT with that mouth?!"

The reaction of pure silence I got, I don't think the guy has a clue as to how much he cusses!

OrdinaryMelkite · #21 Feb 27, '11, 10:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrummer5

Guilty.

I've tried very hard to refrain from this since my decision to convert and honestly anymore, when it does happen it's out of pure habit so it's just a matter of catching myself before it slips out.

Now (when appropriate) I use more acceptable cuss words consisting of four letters that I will get in trouble for if I use them here

I Also Plead Guilty To Using "Jesus Christ" In Vain.

My Defense:

I Try As Much As I Can To Curb And Control. Sometimes I Fail. At Least I Try And Live Up To My Newfound Christian Identity. And I Confess This Regularly.

fishergal · #22 Feb 27, '11, 11:12 pm

People in the States use his name in vain...and it is done often as a "curse". Be glad it isnt said as much in your own country.

mdrummer5 · #23 Feb 28, '11, 9:58 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrdinaryMelkite

I Also Plead Guilty To Using "Jesus Christ" In Vain.

My Defense:

I Try As Much As I Can To Curb And Control. Sometimes I Fail. At Least I Try And Live Up To My Newfound Christian Identity. And I Confess This Regularly.

I've gotten a lot better about it and actually found that without even realizing it I stopped saying GD entirely (which I used to be reallllly bad about)... it has been replaced with "ahhh dammit"... which can have the same inflection lol.

While still not technically Catholic I've considered giving up cursing for my first lent... I just know I'd never make it 40 days, not because of temptation... but because of habit.

OrdinaryMelkite · #24 Feb 28, '11, 7:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrummer5

I've gotten a lot better about it and actually found that without even realizing it I stopped saying GD entirely (which I used to be reallllly bad about)... it has been replaced with "ahhh dammit"... which can have the same inflection lol.

While still not technically Catholic I've considered giving up cursing for my first lent... I just know I'd never make it 40 days, not because of temptation... but because of habit.

Hey, You're Not Alone. I Don't Think I Could Do It Either For 40 Days Either. I Console Myself With The Fact That I DO Make A Genuine Effort And I Confess It As Much As I Can.

OrdinaryMelkite · #25 Feb 28, '11, 7:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwest2

As someone who works in the media, I can say that movies and TV programs do not mirror American society. The trend toward more skin, more cursing and more dysfunctional behavior was gradually added, starting in the 1970s.

Studio heads, producers and writers sit down and plan it all out. TV shows like Mary Hartman which featured the first gay character on TV were no accident. The same with All in the Family.

Today, self-proclaimed comedians tell their audiences, "There's no such thing as bad language." Wow. Who put them in charge?

We gradually transitioned from trusting the media to tolerating a little bit of bad, a little more and a little more. We got used to coming home and turning on the TV and going out to the movies. Too bad that we get movies about couples living together and having sex, and it's all presented as average or normal. It's not.

We need to spend our time with culture that does not cause us to lose touch with what's right and what's wrong. One reason movies in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s were lacking in all those bad things was because we had a Catholic Legion of Decency.

There were laws on the books about cursing in public and using bad language. In 1961, comedian Lenny Bruce was arrested for obscenity. In 2003, he was pardoned by the Governor of New York.

Peace,
Ed

I Mostly agree With you, Ed . i Really Do. OTOH, I Have Found That Cursin WITHIN A CERTAIN CONTEXT Is Both realistic And Can Be Used As A "Teaching Tool."

For Instance-----In Movies-------

I Can't Really Imagine GOODFELLAS without The Excessive Cursing. It Is A Natural thing To Mafia People (Like It Or Not), And It Also Reinforces The Evil Moral Depravity Of These People.

So, In That And Other Contexts, Cursing Can Serve A Purpose.

I DO Agree That Profanity IS Wildly Overused In Our Societies, Movies, And Music, Though. I'm Guilty Of It Somewhat As Well. I TRY My Hardest To Control it, Though. And i Confess it Regularly.

Loml · #26 Mar 1, '11, 5:01 pm

Maybe whenever we hear anyone say it we can say 'Bless His holy name' very loudly.

odile53 · #27 Mar 2, '11, 5:58 pm

I'm trying to do something else when I feel like cussing. Came up with this one the other day--just say "aaaarrrrgh!"--like a pirate.

Midwest88 · #28 Jun 9, '12, 12:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwest2

As someone who works in the media, I can say that movies and TV programs do not mirror American society. The trend toward more skin, more cursing and more dysfunctional behavior was gradually added, starting in the 1970s.

Studio heads, producers and writers sit down and plan it all out. TV shows like Mary Hartman which featured the first gay character on TV were no accident. The same with All in the Family.

Today, self-proclaimed comedians tell their audiences, "There's no such thing as bad language." Wow. Who put them in charge?

We gradually transitioned from trusting the media to tolerating a little bit of bad, a little more and a little more. We got used to coming home and turning on the TV and going out to the movies. Too bad that we get movies about couples living together and having sex, and it's all presented as average or normal. It's not.

We need to spend our time with culture that does not cause us to lose touch with what's right and what's wrong. One reason movies in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s were lacking in all those bad things was because we had a Catholic Legion of Decency.

There were laws on the books about cursing in public and using bad language. In 1961, comedian Lenny Bruce was arrested for obscenity. In 2003, he was pardoned by the Governor of New York.

Peace,
Ed

Ben Shapiro wrote a book called Primetime Propaganda on this very issue. It's an interesting read.

Note: I am in no way affiliated with Mr. Shapiro.

http://www.amazon.com/Primetime-Prop.../dp/0061934771

**edwest2** · #29 Jun 9, '12, 4:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by juno24

Sadly, it is indeed a widespread part of the culture. I hear it frequently, unfortunately. I even hear it from otherwise devout Christians, and I really believe that there is a very big disconnect there. I think it has become so ingrained in some areas that people don't really think about what it is they are saying.

I agree. We need to be more careful about our tongues. Thanks for bringing this up.

Peace,
Ed

mark a · #30 Jun 9, '12, 4:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by abucs

Watching quite a few American movies it seems that the use of 'Jesus Christ' as a cuss word is quite common. As a non American, i find that very strange.

Is that usage of 'Jesus Christ' actually part of the American culture, or is it mainly a media idea?

I have noticed that taking the Lord's name in vain seems much more prevalent than swearing, profanity, vulgarity, and cursing.

Back in the day insults were mostly directed at one's mother: _astard, Son-of-a-_, etc, etc.

And I do not think society has more respect for women these days.