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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words?
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 3:08:42 PM
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stellaluna
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Well the bible clearly says it's wrong to have sex outside marriage, but there are stories in scripture of people doing just that. What's the difference?
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 3:25:18 PM
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MrFribbles
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quote:
Can I ask you something?
Well, I asked first, but sure.
But please answer my question, too.
quote:
If the Bible says it is WRONG to curse . . . why do you think it's OKAY to read it?
Because reading something and saying something yourself are not the same thing.
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"To the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sun is really a sun; to the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sea is really a sea."
-G. K. Chesterton
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 3:43:43 PM
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rawr.ben
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Well the bible clearly says it's wrong to have sex outside marriage, but there are stories in scripture of people doing just that. What's the difference?
Just turn on the news. I see a lot more vile things that way than when I read classic literature . . .
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 4:27:24 PM
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Auben
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Just out of curiosity, where does it say not to curse in scripture and what are the Jewish cultural implications of that (as in what did cursing mean to the Jews..what kind of words were banned)?
I'm familiar with the verse about not using oaths, but unlike the English word its pretty obvious in the text that he's talking about the kind of oath that promises to do something (or not do something).
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 4:30:46 PM
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PinkCarnations
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quote:
ORIGINAL: RogerBennett_Fan
quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
quote:
Is it wrong? I would say yes. Here's why . . . if it's wrong to say it (the Bible tells us NOT to curse), I believe it's wrong to read it too.
Why?
Can I ask you something? If the Bible says it is WRONG to curse . . . why do you think it's OKAY to read it?
Other than taking the Lord's name in vain, the Bible doesn't tell us what words we can't say.
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without making an enemy.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 5:31:11 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: tuckonline
quote:
ORIGINAL: RogerBennett_Fan
quote:
ORIGINAL: let_your_light_shine
Look at it this way, would you say the curse words in the book you want to read to Jesus? If not, that's your answer.
This would be my answer too.
IMO, an author can use other ways to make a character real without using curse words.
Is it wrong? I would say yes. Here's why . . . if it's wrong to say it (the Bible tells us NOT to curse), I believe it's wrong to read it too.
There is so many things wrong with this imo. Throughout all my literature classes in college I have probably read over 60 books in the past two years (just for my classes), and I can say many of them would not be the same without the cursing. When you are writing a book portraying the Pacific Northwest in the 1800's and early 1900's, good luck making your characters "real" without using cursing in their vernacular. How would you have the fur trappers and miners and loggers speaking?
Another example I used was Of Mice and Men....using derogatory terms and cursing was part of the culture, and you have to write it for your reader to understand it.
But it's the secular world making you read these books. Did Jesus curse? We should be living by His example and not so entralled but what the world says we should be reading. And of course a secular college would allow you and want you to read those books. They also expect you to accept homosexuality and encourage girls to believe in freedom of choice. Just because you're forced to read something doesn't make it right in the eyes of God. Literature does not have to contain curse words to be real. And I have to ask, it's considered literature by whom? The worldly people who read and write it. Not by God.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 5:36:31 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PinkCarnations
quote:
ORIGINAL: RogerBennett_Fan
quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
quote:
Is it wrong? I would say yes. Here's why . . . if it's wrong to say it (the Bible tells us NOT to curse), I believe it's wrong to read it too.
Why?
Can I ask you something? If the Bible says it is WRONG to curse . . . why do you think it's OKAY to read it?
Other than taking the Lord's name in vain, the Bible doesn't tell us what words we can't say.
Actually it does. In Ephesians 4:31, it says not to use harsh words. Harsh words in their times would most likely be considered curses in ours. Look up Colossians 3:8 "But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language." That's going by the NLT version.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 5:43:29 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: let_your_light_shine
quote:
ORIGINAL: PinkCarnations
quote:
ORIGINAL: RogerBennett_Fan
quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
quote:
Is it wrong? I would say yes. Here's why . . . if it's wrong to say it (the Bible tells us NOT to curse), I believe it's wrong to read it too.
Why?
Can I ask you something? If the Bible says it is WRONG to curse . . . why do you think it's OKAY to read it?
Other than taking the Lord's name in vain, the Bible doesn't tell us what words we can't say.
Actually it does. In Ephesians 4:31, it says not to use harsh words. Harsh words in their times would most likely be considered curses in ours. Look up Colossians 3:8 "But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language." That's going by the NLT version.
There's another one in Ephesians 5:3-4. It says not to use obscene, silly, or suggestive talk.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 5:50:23 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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One more in James 3:1-12. Verse 8 and 9, He talks about the tongue being evil and how we use it to praise God and then use it to curse men who are made in God's image. "This ought not to be" is what he says about it.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 6:01:38 PM
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MrFribbles
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quote:
But it's the secular world making you read these books
Do you know where tuck went to college? I assume you do, since you made that statement.
quote:
Did Jesus curse?
Yep. He cursed a fig tree.
quote:
And of course a secular college would allow you and want you to read those books. They also expect you to accept homosexuality and encourage girls to believe in freedom of choice.
Those two statements have nothing to do with each other. I read secular literature, and I believe homosexuality is a sin, and that abortion is wrong.
quote:
And I have to ask, it's considered literature by whom? The worldly people who read and write it. Not by God.
And where in the Bible does it lay out what God considers literature?
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-G. K. Chesterton
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 6:11:28 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
quote:
But it's the secular world making you read these books
Do you know where tuck went to college? I assume you do, since you made that statement.
quote:
Did Jesus curse?
Yep. He cursed a fig tree.
quote:
And of course a secular college would allow you and want you to read those books. They also expect you to accept homosexuality and encourage girls to believe in freedom of choice.
Those two statements have nothing to do with each other. I read secular literature, and I believe homosexuality is a sin, and that abortion is wrong.
quote:
And I have to ask, it's considered literature by whom? The worldly people who read and write it. Not by God.
And where in the Bible does it lay out what God considers literature?
I assumed that the person went to a secular college. Curse words back then are not what they are now. The two sentences fit pretty well because they're both about what secular schools expect you to believe and read and reading affects your beliefs. And I am pretty sure the only book God would consider to be important is His word. But I could be mistaken. Guess we won't know until we ask.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 6:20:12 PM
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MrFribbles
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quote:
I assumed that the person went to a secular college.
Well, I would make a comment about what happens when we assume, but that would be "cursing," so I'll refrain.
quote:
Curse words back then are not what they are now.
Exactly. Just because we've taken to calling vulgarities "curse words," doesn't mean that when the Bible says "Thou shalt not curse," it's talking about vulgarities.
quote:
The two sentences fit pretty well because they're both about what secular schools expect you to believe
No, it's what a majority of individuals at secular schools happen to believe. I've never visited any school that tries to tell you what you're expected to believe, except Christian schools.
quote:
reading affects your beliefs
Sure it does. So does watching TV, movies, listening to music, listening to talk radio, etc., etc. Again - I've read secular books, and I believe homosexuality is a sin and that abortion is wrong.
quote:
And I am pretty sure the only book God would consider to be important is His word.
If you're pretty sure, you must have a reason behind your belief. Please share it.
_____________________________
"To the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sun is really a sun; to the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sea is really a sea."
-G. K. Chesterton
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 6:28:48 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
quote:
I assumed that the person went to a secular college.
Well, I would make a comment about what happens when we assume, but that would be "cursing," so I'll refrain.
quote:
Curse words back then are not what they are now.
Exactly. Just because we've taken to calling vulgarities "curse words," doesn't mean that when the Bible says "Thou shalt not curse," it's talking about vulgarities.
quote:
The two sentences fit pretty well because they're both about what secular schools expect you to believe
No, it's what a majority of individuals at secular schools happen to believe. I've never visited any school that tries to tell you what you're expected to believe, except Christian schools.
quote:
reading affects your beliefs
Sure it does. So does watching TV, movies, listening to music, listening to talk radio, etc., etc. Again - I've read secular books, and I believe homosexuality is a sin and that abortion is wrong.
quote:
And I am pretty sure the only book God would consider to be important is His word.
If you're pretty sure, you must have a reason behind your belief. Please share it.
Lol to the first comment. I guess you might not be thinking of the curse words I'm thinking of. I went to a college that tried to push homosexuality down your throat. For instance, during out week I was bombarded at the door to do a survey and same when I left that day. I'm not saying that they were forcing me to believe anything, because obviously they cannot do that. But many colleges try to shove things in your face that you don't believe in, in hopes that you may change your perspective. I agree that everything you listen to, watch, etc. affects your beliefs which is why I try to keep all of those things clean in my life. The reason I believe God would only consider His word to be important is because He says we should be reading it. We are supposed to be filled with the Word of God so when trials come our way or whatever comes our way, we are not shaken. I'm not saying you can't read secular books, but I suppose I could be viewing them differently than you are. I do not think a Christian should be reading books which are consumed with cursing and suggestive talk. We are supposed to keep our minds as clean and pure as possible. But that's just my opinion and everyone is entitled to have their own.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 6:31:28 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Well the bible clearly says it's wrong to have sex outside marriage, but there are stories in scripture of people doing just that. What's the difference?
Of course there was sin in the Bible. People are not perfect, but we are called to try to be as much like Jesus as we possibly can and to be conformed to His image. That's not saying it happens overnight. Sanctification is a lifelong process.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 6:33:19 PM
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rawr.ben
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quote:
ORIGINAL: let_your_light_shine
quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Well the bible clearly says it's wrong to have sex outside marriage, but there are stories in scripture of people doing just that. What's the difference?
Of course there was sin in the Bible. People are not perfect, but we are called to try to be as much like Jesus as we possibly can and to be conformed to His image. That's not saying it happens overnight. Sanctification is a lifelong process.
Sure, and just like our lives are messy, so too are the lives of characters in literature.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 6:35:16 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rawr.ben
quote:
ORIGINAL: let_your_light_shine
quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Well the bible clearly says it's wrong to have sex outside marriage, but there are stories in scripture of people doing just that. What's the difference?
Of course there was sin in the Bible. People are not perfect, but we are called to try to be as much like Jesus as we possibly can and to be conformed to His image. That's not saying it happens overnight. Sanctification is a lifelong process.
Sure, and just like our lives are messy, so too are the lives of characters in literature.
I agree. I guess I just believe reading things where characters are consistently using cursing, having sex, doing drugs, or whatever, makes it that much harder for our minds to be pure.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 7:02:38 PM
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morningmike
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I think, as in all activities...reading books, listening to music, viewing films, anything...the Holy Spirit should be your guide. If you're convicted that you shouldn't read books with bad language, then don't. Personally, I believe there are many books that have definitely benefited from the use of what might be called vulgar or obscene language.
If I remember correctly...the Canterbury Tales (which I read way back in my secular college days...was pretty spicy in places.
Speaking of college, never in my college experience was I ever "told what to believe", or did I think anything was being crammed down my throat. To the contrary, I believe a good college will encourage students to open their minds. Of course, I understand some people might think that's a bad thing. 
Mike
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 10:03:32 PM
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IamLibertarian
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I have to say, my "secular" college has never told me homosexuality is good, and abortions are even better (though I did have one very liberal professor who might have suggested a few things had you given him the chance).
Let Your Light Shine, you say reading affects your beliefs, and as Mr.Fribbles pointed out, so does music, TV (news), etc, etc...so what do you suppose we do with our lives? Live in a box (with no writing on it, of course, and preferable colorless and odorless as they might affect us in some way), while reading the Word of God the 17 hours a day we are awake?
As morningmike said, if you feel bad and feel like God is telling you not to read a book with curse words, then dont. I have only had that feeling ONCE while reading a book, and it had no curse words in it... it was a book about the Bible and Jesus and had some outrageous claims in it. I never did finish that book...
Anyways, hope youre not convicted every time you turn on the tv or open a book cause you might miss out on some great things.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 10:56:49 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: tuckonline
I have to say, my "secular" college has never told me homosexuality is good, and abortions are even better (though I did have one very liberal professor who might have suggested a few things had you given him the chance).
Let Your Light Shine, you say reading affects your beliefs, and as Mr.Fribbles pointed out, so does music, TV (news), etc, etc...so what do you suppose we do with our lives? Live in a box (with no writing on it, of course, and preferable colorless and odorless as they might affect us in some way), while reading the Word of God the 17 hours a day we are awake?
As morningmike said, if you feel bad and feel like God is telling you not to read a book with curse words, then dont. I have only had that feeling ONCE while reading a book, and it had no curse words in it... it was a book about the Bible and Jesus and had some outrageous claims in it. I never did finish that book...
Anyways, hope youre not convicted every time you turn on the tv or open a book cause you might miss out on some great things.
I am not in any way saying we can or should put ourselves in a bubble. This isn't utopia. What I am saying is that I consider very carefully what I allow myself to watch, read, listen to, etc. because I feel convicted to do so. That doesn't mean I don't slip up and curse because I do because I'm not perfect. And as I said above, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. What I am saying is either being misinterpreted or I am not saying it the right way. Either way, I don't feel the need to explain my point of view any longer because it obviously does not appease anyone else and I don't like offending people.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 10:58:42 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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Oh and one more thing. I wasn't trying to attack anyone else's life choices. I was trying to answer the question sincerely with what I believe.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 11:14:03 PM
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IamLibertarian
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I really dont think you offended anyone. I think we were all just having a little fun, as this isnt the most dire of all subjects (to most of us anyway).
But since we are bringing this thread to a conclusion....I win.... 
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 11:29:58 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: tuckonline
I really dont think you offended anyone. I think we were all just having a little fun, as this isnt the most dire of all subjects (to most of us anyway).
But since we are bringing this thread to a conclusion....I win....
You win?? Hahaha.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 11:43:48 PM
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MyCatSmokey2006
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My thoughts are the same as let_your_light_shine's posts. Since the Holy Spirit doesn't want me to be reading books with swear words in them, or (graphic violence, sexual immorality, for that matter), then I don't read them. In fact, I feel depressed and have negative thoughts when I try to read them. IMHO, reading them just gives an open door to the devil to put a stronghold in your mind and mess up your life.
One of my Christian relatives reads those kind of books and now she curses and swears more than she used, even cursing God at times. You know what they say, "Garbage in, garbage out".
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 6/30/2009 11:50:56 PM
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let_your_light_shine
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MyCatSmokey2006
My thoughts are the same as let_your_light_shine's posts. Since the Holy Spirit doesn't want me to be reading books with swear words in them, or (graphic violence, sexual immorality, for that matter), then I don't read them. In fact, I feel depressed and have negative thoughts when I try to read them. IMHO, reading them just gives an open door to the devil to put a stronghold in your mind and mess up your life.
One of my Christian relatives reads those kind of books and now she curses and swears more than she used, even cursing God at times. You know what they say, "Garbage in, garbage out".
THANK YOU! That is what I meant.
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RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses S... - 7/1/2009 1:32:47 AM
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MrFribbles
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quote:
In fact, I feel depressed and have negative thoughts when I try to read them.
And I feel elated and engrossed when I read them. Well, if they're good, anyway. I've read some (Stephen King's The Tommyknockers, for example) where I felt bored and frustrated, but that's just because they weren't great writing to me.
quote:
One of my Christian relatives reads those kind of books and now she curses and swears more than she used, even cursing God at times.
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc. You're obviously more in tune with the situation than I am, but I find it erroneous to automatically conclude that the increase in vulgarities proceeds directly from the reading of secular literature.
_____________________________
"To the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sun is really a sun; to the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sea is really a sea."
-G. K. Chesterton
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