Cursing in church (Full Version)

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Sonrise -> Cursing in church (6/29/2008 8:22:36 PM)

Hi,
Okay, this is kinda weird but it happened this morning and I'd like everyone's feedback. This morning the pastor called up 4 guys who are part of some mens group to the stage to give their testimonies. The first two finish theirs and the pastor hands the mike to the last guy. He begins his testimony as such, "I was always very goal oriented and I saw myself a millionaire by the time I was fifty. I achieved most of my goals but I was a workaholic and my wife left me 4 years ago.......that's when I went back to church and accepted Christ, so yeah, I went through some trials but s_ _ t happens".

Now keep in mind this wasn't a closed mens group this was in front of about 400-500 people including many children during our regular Sunday morning service. I was literally shocked when I heard it and the reaction throughout the congregation was either shock, laughter or stunned silence. The pastor was sitting right next to this guy and said nothing.

I'm of the opinion that this is wrong, that we're commanded to be holy, set apart and not act like the world. The Bible does mention that profanity is wrong, and I would think especially in church in front of the whole congregation without any advanced warning. My reaction however isn't the consensus whatsoever and I've been told that to make an issue of this is legalism, but is standing on Gods word legalism? What say you? Thanks



Qtman -> RE: Cursing in church (6/29/2008 9:07:06 PM)

I will let you guys discuss the right or wrong of that act. But, right or wrong IMHO it is a good example of something in very poor taste.



Calea37 -> RE: Cursing in church (6/29/2008 9:33:50 PM)

Maybe the man who said it is in such the habit of using that kind of language that it "slipped" out. It is wrong and inappropriate language, imo. Hopefully the pastor spoke with him about it later. Once it was out of the man's mouth there wasn't really much the pastor could do.



Sonrise -> RE: Cursing in church (6/29/2008 9:37:12 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Calea37

Maybe the man who said it is in such the habit of using that kind of language that it "slipped" out. It is wrong and inappropriate language, imo. Hopefully the pastor spoke with him about it later. Once it was out of the man's mouth there wasn't really much the pastor could do.


No, it was very well though out. He even had a little smile on his face before he said it. It was like, "well....s_ _ t happens". It seemed like he was trying to push the envelope and show how "cool" he could be. It really upset me.



LaurainAL -> RE: Cursing in church (6/29/2008 10:07:08 PM)

I would have been upset too. Perhaps the pastor was in shock when the man used that language. I know I would have been. Hopefully, he did have a talk with him. However, I think he should have said something immediately. Like "We appreciate you comments but that type of language is not appropriate" and then ask the man to have a seat.



ta_mosquito -> RE: Cursing in church (6/29/2008 10:09:36 PM)

From what you've said in your other two threads, I'd change churches if I were you and find one that's more Scriptural.



Calea37 -> RE: Cursing in church (6/30/2008 8:57:07 AM)

Yes, if the pastor knew it was going to happen and approved of it I would not be going there to church.



rcjames -> RE: Cursing in church (6/30/2008 10:11:42 AM)

As far as cursing goes anywhere, there are over 1,000,000 words in the English language; it seems as though one should be able to express themselves without cursing.

Thanks
RC



Szaftoo -> RE: Cursing in church (6/30/2008 10:25:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rcjames

As far as cursing goes anywhere, there are over 1,000,000 words in the English language; it seems as though one should be able to express themselves without cursing.



Amen, not necessary.



Qtman -> RE: Cursing in church (6/30/2008 10:35:01 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Szaftoo

quote:

ORIGINAL: rcjames

As far as cursing goes anywhere, there are over 1,000,000 words in the English language; it seems as though one should be able to express themselves without cursing.




Amen, not necessary.


I agree it is not necessary. It is a conditioned habit. I developed the habit of using the same s word many years ago and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done to quit. But quit I did.



redeemedsaint -> RE: Cursing in church (6/30/2008 11:12:57 AM)

Not approriate in any shape or form. The pastor not saying anything is just as telling. Maybe he talked to the man afterwards, but we really don't know at this point. People are afraid to speak the truth and have learned to be tolerant[:'(]and not say anything.



spdrgrl.603 -> RE: Cursing in church (6/30/2008 8:41:34 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sonrise

Hi,
Okay, this is kinda weird but it happened this morning and I'd like everyone's feedback. This morning the pastor called up 4 guys who are part of some mens group to the stage to give their testimonies. The first two finish theirs and the pastor hands the mike to the last guy. He begins his testimony as such, "I was always very goal oriented and I saw myself a millionaire by the time I was fifty. I achieved most of my goals but I was a workaholic and my wife left me 4 years ago.......that's when I went back to church and accepted Christ, so yeah, I went through some trials but s_ _ t happens".

Now keep in mind this wasn't a closed mens group this was in front of about 400-500 people including many children during our regular Sunday morning service. I was literally shocked when I heard it and the reaction throughout the congregation was either shock, laughter or stunned silence. The pastor was sitting right next to this guy and said nothing.

I'm of the opinion that this is wrong, that we're commanded to be holy, set apart and not act like the world. The Bible does mention that profanity is wrong, and I would think especially in church in front of the whole congregation without any advanced warning. My reaction however isn't the consensus whatsoever and I've been told that to make an issue of this is legalism, but is standing on Gods word legalism? What say you? Thanks


THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE LONDONDERRY, NH PREYSBYTERRIAN CHURCH DID IT? curious. sounds like something my ex-dad would do.



Sonrise -> RE: Cursing in church (6/30/2008 9:50:38 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: spdrgrl.603

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sonrise

Hi,
Okay, this is kinda weird but it happened this morning and I'd like everyone's feedback. This morning the pastor called up 4 guys who are part of some mens group to the stage to give their testimonies. The first two finish theirs and the pastor hands the mike to the last guy. He begins his testimony as such, "I was always very goal oriented and I saw myself a millionaire by the time I was fifty. I achieved most of my goals but I was a workaholic and my wife left me 4 years ago.......that's when I went back to church and accepted Christ, so yeah, I went through some trials but s_ _ t happens".

Now keep in mind this wasn't a closed mens group this was in front of about 400-500 people including many children during our regular Sunday morning service. I was literally shocked when I heard it and the reaction throughout the congregation was either shock, laughter or stunned silence. The pastor was sitting right next to this guy and said nothing.

I'm of the opinion that this is wrong, that we're commanded to be holy, set apart and not act like the world. The Bible does mention that profanity is wrong, and I would think especially in church in front of the whole congregation without any advanced warning. My reaction however isn't the consensus whatsoever and I've been told that to make an issue of this is legalism, but is standing on Gods word legalism? What say you? Thanks


THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE LONDONDERRY, NH PREYSBYTERRIAN CHURCH DID IT? curious. sounds like something my ex-dad would do.

No, Greenville, SC. What's an ex-dad?



spdrgrl.603 -> RE: Cursing in church (6/30/2008 10:49:53 PM)

an ex-dad is someone who is an abusive alcholic who beats his daughter, steals all her college and life savings, and had the nerve to sing after hurting his family, "they will know we are christians by our love" at church.

what happened at your church sounds a lot like what he would do.... also my parents divorced four years ago so it just sounded like him....



Sonrise -> RE: Cursing in church (7/1/2008 12:14:47 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: spdrgrl.603

an ex-dad is someone who is an abusive alcholic who beats his daughter, steals all her college and life savings, and had the nerve to sing after hurting his family, "they will know we are christians by our love" at church.

what happened at your church sounds a lot like what he would do.... also my parents divorced four years ago so it just sounded like him....

That's weird, the guy who said all of this said that his wife left him 4 years ago. I'm sorry for your pain, my story is similar, not as bad. You do have to forgive him. I know you know that and I know it's not easy but we are commanded to forgive. Bitterness and unforgiveness will never make you feel better. I know you hurt and I know your heavenly father hurts for and with you and just wants to wrap his arms around you and hold you so tight. Let Him. Sonrise



spdrgrl.603 -> RE: Cursing in church (7/1/2008 7:29:14 AM)

i cant forgive him. but i dont hate him. anyone who as been psysically abused and threatened by their own father from childhood to adulthood would understand what i mean. even tho i dont talk to him and im moving on it scars you. i stills have nightmares. ex- in one of my dreams i'm sleeping in my apartment (top security and hard to get in at night) somehow hes in my room and under my bed sheets. then i'm on the floor and he's pounding my chest with his fists. i black out and then my legs are somehow on top of him. then he strangles me with his eyes bugging out screaming. i woke up. psyical abuse scars and i can never forgive him for it. sorry.

back to the blog's question i have to agree with everyone here. though you shouldn't curse period your most definetly shouldnt in church. 'specially wih kids there. its not approprate. he couldn't have said "crud" instead?



redeemedsaint -> RE: Cursing in church (7/1/2008 9:13:07 AM)

Sonrise,

I'm from Greenville, SC also. I'd be curious as to which church this is and I can probably guess. You can privately email me and let me know.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Cursing in church (7/2/2008 1:34:21 AM)

. . . and we snickered at the guy who said "shucks" in his testimony back in the '70s. But we set him straight, we did! Told him that was cussing. [:D]

People love shock effects. Love to watch people's reactions to their bad selves. Gives them some kind of jollies.



Liveloved -> RE: Cursing in church (7/2/2008 4:28:10 AM)

That is just an expression. Although it is not a word that we should use, does it really matter? I don't consider it cursing, just poor language usage. I doubt God's offended---nor should you be.



car2ner -> RE: Cursing in church (7/2/2008 7:43:53 AM)

It was in bad taste but not necessarily sinful. I don't get too weirded out with "bad words". I don't like to hear them but it now takes way too much energy to get upset when they are heard. Can't go to the movies, watch t.v.,overhear conversation in the grocery store, etc, without some profanity popping up.

So, we can get all bothered by cussing but it will hurt us more inside to get worked up over it than it will hurt the person saying it. And yet, I have often told my students, you have to use the appropriate language for the group you are speaking to. Otherwise, you will loose respect in their eyes and stop listening to your message.

We moved a couple of weekends ago. Our pastor was helping lug furniture to the van. M'love, raised on airforce bases and had a 24 year army career, fell into "military speech" which can be peppered with cussing. I raised an eyebrow and told him to remember, he was talking to a pastor. I mentioned in in humor and I think the pastor took it that way.



car2ner -> RE: Cursing in church (7/2/2008 7:45:47 AM)

[;)] Or to be scriptural, he could have said, "dung happens"......



bluestone -> RE: Cursing in church (7/2/2008 9:08:34 AM)

Using Foul language while speaking publically is rude, whether in a church or any other setting. I would think that unless this fellow is very uncouth and uneducated, he did say this on purpose. Perhaps his agenda was to shock.

I would be interested to know if the pastor said anything to him, and if he will be speaking again, even in a testimony mode.



LBolt -> RE: Cursing in church (7/2/2008 9:15:25 AM)

If you clown in public...you should be corrected in public for the sake of others, that they may fear.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Cursing in church (7/2/2008 11:49:32 AM)

I don't know -- Matthew 12, along with some of the Psalms and the Proverbs might be good places to consult with regard to the things that come out of our mouths. It may be simply personal habit or discipline, but as believers, I think it is good to be as disciplined regarding our tongues as possible.

Just a personal opinion, but if such words slide so easily off our tongues, I think it is a problem.



jumpinjack -> RE: Cursing in church (7/2/2008 10:22:28 PM)

well every time cursing, cussing is brought up,I think about peter when he denied Jesus three times, he begun to curse and swear, you would think after what he had seen he would not do that, but he is human just like me . think about it are you better than peter.



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