Editorial January 25, 1993 Issue

Reverse the spread of profanity

Barbara M. Vining

When the uninhibited private and public use of profanity has spread to the point where foul language comes from the mouth of babes, it is time for individuals who value purity of expression to take action. What is needed, though, is not a dogmatic approach. Self-righteous, condemning thoughts and words themselves reveal a sort of profanity of the heart—a need for a deeper respect for ourselves and others as men, the very expression of God.

Even though many kinds of human behavior deserve no respect, who we are as children of God does deserve respect at all times. According to a popular dictionary, one meaning of the word profane is "showing disrespect or contempt for sacred things; irreverent." Man, as the reflection of God, is holy, the expression of His pure nature. So it is through respect for man's inherent spirituality that we can effectively reverse the spread of profanity.

When one of our sons was about five years old, he brought a new friend, Philip, home to play one day. After greeting them, I left them to explore the collection of toys in our son's bedroom while I kept myself occupied in my home office in an adjoining room. They played quietly, compatibly, and constructively, but Philip's language was peppered with the repetition of three words we were quite unaccustomed to hearing in our home. Half an hour of this convinced me that action was called for.

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