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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Profanity	Ryan	Friday, August 5, 2011
Question: I was just engaged in a discussion with a relative, who told me that it's not a sin to use profanity. I told her that it is a sin, and I used Jesus' words "Let 'Yes' be 'Yes' and 'No' be 'No,' anything more is from the evil one" and St. Paul's sentiments to back up why. She was saying "well the modern world has changed and everyone uses it" and I got a little frustrated, noting that it does not matter what the modern world does because many people in the modern world are condemning themselves daily by some of the things they do, and if we let the modern world decide what the Magisterium is for us, we might as well start watching pornography and say it's consistent with Catholicism. Though I didn't raise my voice, I did confirm to her that it is sin because it departs from God. Anything that separates us from God is sin, and therefore, using profanity was a venial sin I told her. But, after I said that I told her to "stop spreading heresies," meaning that I did not want her going around telling other Catholics it was ok and consistent with the Magisterium to use profanity. Did I engage in the sin of rash judgment by doing this? From what I now understand, after reading one of your answers on this, profanity may not be even venial sin depending on the circumstance. So I am wondering if what I said was, based on that, rash judgment and if I have to take it to confession tomorrow. Thanks.
Question Answered by Dear Ryan: Well, you did make some mistakes. Jesus saying "Let 'Yes' be 'Yes' and 'No' be 'No,' has nothing to do with profanity. Second, it is not a heresy to say that profanity is okay. A heresy is the obstinate doubt or denial of a defined dogma (Level 1 teaching). Third, as I explained in the previous post, a profanity or vulgarity "may" not be a sin, depending on the circumstances, but I think it will usually be a venial sin. Regardless, of whether or not it constitutes a sin, profanity is imprudent, a poor witness of the faith, and is still at variance with the virtue of temperance and charity. That alone is enough to decide to avoid profanity. St. Paul said that even on issues to which we are allowed, it may not be wise. Only an immature child think that "because we can, we ought to". (1 Cor 10:23) All things are lawful; but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful; but all things edify not. (1 Cor 6:12) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. We are called to excellence not mediocrity. St. Paul said: (Philippians 4:7-8) And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Those who settle for the mediocre life disappoint our Lord. Our Lord said: (Rev 3:15-16) "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth." As for the excuse, "everyone does it", that is so childish. I would smile and give the old standard reply of parents to their children, "And if everyone jumped off a cliff to their death, you must do it too?" "Everyone does it" is the excuse of a child. Your relative needs to grow up. If she wants to argue in favor of profanity then she needs to use intellectual arguments, not childish obfuscations. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Profanity

Ryan

Friday, August 5, 2011

Question:

I was just engaged in a discussion with a relative, who told me that it's not a sin to use profanity. I told her that it is a sin, and I used Jesus' words "Let 'Yes' be 'Yes' and 'No' be 'No,' anything more is from the evil one" and St. Paul's sentiments to back up why. She was saying "well the modern world has changed and everyone uses it" and I got a little frustrated, noting that it does not matter what the modern world does because many people in the modern world are condemning themselves daily by some of the things they do, and if we let the modern world decide what the Magisterium is for us, we might as well start watching pornography and say it's consistent with Catholicism. Though I didn't raise my voice, I did confirm to her that it is sin because it departs from God. Anything that separates us from God is sin, and therefore, using profanity was a venial sin I told her.

But, after I said that I told her to "stop spreading heresies," meaning that I did not want her going around telling other Catholics it was ok and consistent with the Magisterium to use profanity.

Did I engage in the sin of rash judgment by doing this? From what I now understand, after reading one of your answers on this, profanity may not be even venial sin depending on the circumstance. So I am wondering if what I said was, based on that, rash judgment and if I have to take it to confession tomorrow. Thanks.

Question Answered by

Dear Ryan:

Well, you did make some mistakes. Jesus saying "Let 'Yes' be 'Yes' and 'No' be 'No,' has nothing to do with profanity.

Second, it is not a heresy to say that profanity is okay. A heresy is the obstinate doubt or denial of a defined dogma (Level 1 teaching).

Third, as I explained in the previous post, a profanity or vulgarity "may" not be a sin, depending on the circumstances, but I think it will usually be a venial sin. Regardless, of whether or not it constitutes a sin, profanity is imprudent, a poor witness of the faith, and is still at variance with the virtue of temperance and charity. That alone is enough to decide to avoid profanity.

St. Paul said that even on issues to which we are allowed, it may not be wise. Only an immature child think that "because we can, we ought to".

(1 Cor 10:23) All things are lawful; but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful; but all things edify not.

(1 Cor 6:12) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

We are called to excellence not mediocrity. St. Paul said:

(Philippians 4:7-8) And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Those who settle for the mediocre life disappoint our Lord. Our Lord said:

(Rev 3:15-16) "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth."

As for the excuse, "everyone does it", that is so childish. I would smile and give the old standard reply of parents to their children, "And if everyone jumped off a cliff to their death, you must do it too?"

"Everyone does it" is the excuse of a child. Your relative needs to grow up. If she wants to argue in favor of profanity then she needs to use intellectual arguments, not childish obfuscations.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum