Neurological or Mental Disorder

[siliconwafer]

Many people claim that there is a neurological or mental disorder that can cause a person to utter cuss words or obscene words involuntarily. People call this disorder "coprolalia." How would you respond to someone who says that if a person has a neurological or mental disorder that causes him to utter cuss words involuntarily then he is not responsible for saying those words? They assume that if you do something involuntarily then you do not have a choice to do it and if you do not have a choice to do it, then you are not responsible for what you do.

I believe that all cussing is sinful and that all people will be held accountable by God for saying those things. I was asking because I wanted to know how to respond to those people who make that claim.

[KingsGambit]

This is a real condition, not just something that "many people claim". If somebody really does have this condition and is a Christian, I think it is cruel to tell him that he will be punished for God on the basis for something they genuinely cannot control.

[Bill the Cat]

Tourette's Syndrome can also cause such outbursts.

[KingsGambit]

Tourette's Syndrome can also cause such outbursts.

Coprolalia is one possible symptom of Tourette's, but it only appears in about 10-15% of those who have it.

[Bill the Cat]

Coprolalia is one possible symptom of Tourette's, but it only appears in about 10-15% of those who have it.

Correct. Most have uncontrollable twitches and slight sound "discharge" from the mouth or nose.

[seanD]

I'm curious as to how cussing is a sin. To me it's more a matter of societal etiquette than a religious matter.

[RBerman]

I'm curious as to how cussing is a sin. To me it's more a matter of societal etiquette than a religious matter.

First of all, the two are related. Christians are instructed, as a religious matter, not to give unnecessary offense. That is, any offense that we give should be because some elements of our religious message is inherently offensive to some people. Beyond that, the Bible has a lot to say about living in a way that avoids offense, and being very ready to seek forgiveness and reconciliation when offense has been given. Obviously, some people have a very low threshold that it takes to offend them, and the wise Christian will seek counsel from his elders (i.e. not just his peers) to help determine how to respond to some particular allegation of offense.

Second, there are different kinds of "cussing." There's vulgarity, the usage of emotionally charged terms for body functions and body parts instead of more neutral terms. And then there's profanity, the casual usage of spiritually important terms in a way that robs them of importance. Words which are vulgar in one time and place may not be in another, because the emotional impact of words is not a constant. But the casual abuse of spiritual terms is more of a universal thing, always violating the Third Commandment.

Technically, "cursing" is a specific kind of profanity in which you offhandedly request God to bring down his judgment upon some person or situation that is not to your liking. Many people also use "cursing" to refer to profanity in general, and I can understand that to some degree. The use of the term "cursing" to describe vulgarity doesn't seem correct to me, though I'm sure you'll find people who use "cursing" in that way.

[theblueprint_Ni]

I'm curious as to how cussing is a sin. To me it's more a matter of societal etiquette than a religious matter.

Matt. 12:35-37

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Even the secular workplace recognizes profanity for what it is: uncouth and unfit for a well-standing person. We who are indwelled by the Spirit of God are in better company than well-standing people. It's easier to curse than it is to speak a good word. It's undisciplined speech. Much like an undisciplined believer who can't read their Bible or pray, the person who can't bridle their tongue from empty, careless, and thoughtless words is only expressing the reality of their spiritual condition before men.

[seanD]

I still think it’s based on societal etiquette than a religious issue. There are certain phrases and words that might be considered cussing by some people, yet just street slang or cultural expression by others. There are also different ways of using language; in one way a word or phrase might be used as vulgarity, but just street slang in another. There are also ways in which we communicate in different situations and diverse cultures. I don’t express myself when I’m communicating to a college professor or a pastor in the same way I would with someone in the streets on Skidrow. It’s much too subjective to be considered a religious issue. The only time I can see it becoming a justifiable religious issue is if I’m with a brother or sister that finds a particular word, phrase or expression offensive, so I would have to check myself lest I cause them to sin by mimicking what I do.

[Carrikature]

I still think it’s based on societal etiquette than a religious issue. There are certain phrases and words that might be considered cussing by some people, yet just street slang or cultural expression by others. There are also different ways of using language; in one way a word or phrase might be used as vulgarity, but just street slang in another. There are also ways in which we communicate in different situations and diverse cultures. I don’t express myself when I’m communicating to a college professor or a pastor in the same way I would with someone in the streets on Skidrow. It’s much too subjective to be considered a religious issue. The only time I can see it becoming a justifiable religious issue is if I’m with a brother or sister that finds a particular word, phrase or expression offensive, so I would have to check myself lest I cause them to sin by mimicking what I do.

In other words, you don't really care what anyone else has to say on the matter. It can't be illustrated any more clearly than what Rberman has done.

At best, it is unnecessary and uncouth. At worst, it is a sin and may include direct blasphemy. Why argue for it?

[seanD]

In other words, you don't really care what anyone else has to say on the matter. It can't be illustrated any more clearly than what Rberman has done.

At best, it is unnecessary and uncouth. At worst, it is a sin and may include direct blasphemy. Why argue for it?

It's subjective in both cases: religious and societal.

[RBerman]

I still think it’s based on societal etiquette than a religious issue. There are certain phrases and words that might be considered cussing by some people, yet just street slang or cultural expression by others. There are also different ways of using language; in one way a word or phrase might be used as vulgarity, but just street slang in another. There are also ways in which we communicate in different situations and diverse cultures. I don’t express myself when I’m communicating to a college professor or a pastor in the same way I would with someone in the streets on Skidrow. It’s much too subjective to be considered a religious issue. The only time I can see it becoming a justifiable religious issue is if I’m with a brother or sister that finds a particular word, phrase or expression offensive, so I would have to check myself lest I cause them to sin by mimicking what I do.

How would it be based on "societal etiquette" to use the name of God to refer to something that is not God? To ask God to damn something just because it didn't suit your fancy? Do you think that God doesn't care how his name is used? I suggest you ask the elders of your church, and perhaps study throughout Scripture to see the way that God talks about his own name.

[Carrikature]

It's subjective in both cases: religious and societal.

There's nothing subjective about taking God's name in vain nor using 'holy' in conjunction with any vulgarity. Whether or not it is societally subjective is irrelevant. Christians are called to a higher standard.

[seanD]

How would it be based on "societal etiquette" to use the name of God to refer to something that is not God? To ask God to damn something just because it didn't suit your fancy? Do you think that God doesn't care how his name is used? I suggest you ask the elders of your church, and perhaps study throughout Scripture to see the way that God talks about his own name.

Agreed, if you're talking about specifics. The OP seemed like he was being general about cussing. I wouldn't use the Lord's name in vain and it bothers me when others do it. I also think the "F" word is pretty vulgar, as there's no other way of using it that isn't vulgar. But, again, this is just an opinion, not an objective religious issue. An objective religious issue would be something specifically addressed in scripture, such as adultery, murder, stealing, etc.

[RBerman]

Agreed, if you're talking about specifics. The OP seemed like he was being general about cussing. I wouldn't use the Lord's name in vain and it bothers me when others do it. I also think the "F" word is pretty vulgar, as there's no other way of using it that isn't vulgar. But, again, this is just an opinion, not an objective religious issue. An objective religious issue would be something specifically addressed in scripture, such as adultery, murder, stealing, etc.

Did you even see my post about the difference between profanity and vulgarity? I have been talking about profanity.