Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (Full Version)

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jonfortean6 -> Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 3:12:54 PM)

Is it okay to read books in which the author uses swear words? Regardless of if he/she uses the words to "realinize" the plot, or if that is just the author's style, what are your thoughts?

Feedback Please [8D]

My two cents worth: If one believes that cursing is a sin, then why would they use it to utilize their books? Maybe it would be one thing to write, "Mark cursed," or something like that. But to actually say the words? Isn't that like describing a murder in court by murdering the judge? Maybe a cheap illustration, IDK...



techne -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 3:37:55 PM)

sure -- i'll bite...i'll say yes.

i mean, heaven forbid that we should use actual, real language...they're characters after all, and should be realistic. that's not to say that they must swear either...

and i'm sorry, what does "realinize" mean?

you're right, whether one believes cursing is a sin is an important point. and since this is really a question about convictions...



stellaluna -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 4:20:38 PM)

Sure, go ahead.



mvic -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 4:25:37 PM)

Techne is right.

It is OK to read books in which the author uses swear words. But you should ask yourself: why does he use swear words?

Is it for effect and to make his book more appealing to today's society or lifestyles? If there's too much unnecessary swearing and blaspheming throw the book in the trash bin.

If it's the odd swear word to make a point then it's OK, I suppose. Although personally I have NEVER used swear words. In my book I once use **** to denote a swear word and leave it to the reader to decide which, of many swear words, he would like to put there.

What does "realinize" mean? Is it a swear word?



IamLibertarian -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 5:05:23 PM)

Definitely. Of Mice and Men is one that comes to mind. That book would not be the same without it's vernacular and cursing. And I do not believe God would forbid us from reading it...



rawr.ben -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 7:35:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: tuckonline

Definitely. Of Mice and Men is one that comes to mind. That book would not be the same without it's vernacular and cursing. And I do not believe God would forbid us from reading it...


Good example.



let_your_light_shine -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 9:03:53 PM)

In my opinion, as Christians, you shouldn't be reading secular books because it makes it that much harder to live the Christian life. You can't have one foot in the world and one foot in Christianity. You either in or you're not. I'm 22 and it's hard for me. I used to listen to rap where every other word was about sex, drugs, or whatever and there was major cursing. Same with books and movies. I gave it up because as a Christian you're called to turn from your sin and that stuff is sin. 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.



let_your_light_shine -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 9:09:11 PM)

One more thing, just because I choose not to read or listen to stuff with cursing doesn't make me perfect. I still slip up and curse sometimes. We're not perfect, just because we're Christians doesn't mean we won't slip. But to purposely turn to things filled with sinful things is, in my opinion, wrong.



techne -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 9:42:52 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: let_your_light_shine
In my opinion, as Christians, you shouldn't be reading secular books because it makes it that much harder to live the Christian life. You can't have one foot in the world and one foot in Christianity. You either in or you're not. I'm 22 and it's hard for me. I used to listen to rap where every other word was about sex, drugs, or whatever and there was major cursing. Same with books and movies. I gave it up because as a Christian you're called to turn from your sin and that stuff is sin. 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.

and if so, that's your answer, too...



SuspenseWriter -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 10:21:35 PM)

Short answer: yes.



Auben -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 10:40:24 PM)

If you're uncomfortable, don't read it.

There is a time to learn from people who curse and a time to turn away. Cursing has never been a difficult point for me.



garsyt -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/28/2009 11:04:52 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Auben

If you're uncomfortable, don't read it.

There is a time to learn from people who curse and a time to turn away. Cursing has never been a difficult point for me.



I agree! And furthermore - I will not forbid my advanced readers, my children, to read books that may have a swear word or two or three in them. And yet they ALL know that to use that sort of language is not appropriate in our home or for them to use at ANY time.

IMHO - if one only reads just Christian books, by Christian authors, then one is missing out on a great many wonderful pieces of literature, simply because because it is not classified that way.

Blessings,

Garsy



teej18 -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/29/2009 1:16:13 AM)

Personally, I have to evaluate books on a case by case basis. There have been times when a few curse words in a particular story didn't bother me, and other times when I had to close the book and not finish it.

It is very important to guard what you let into your spirit. Even what you read can effect you negatively. It's the garbage in, garbage out principal. If I keep filling my mind and heart with filth, filth will come out. This is also where I think one needs to have some balance. If I am reading more "secular" books than I am "Christian" books, then what is my mind dwelling on? And really, sometimes I am simply more vulnerable than others. This is really a personal conviction issue. By that I mean that there is no clear answer for anybody. You just need to know your own vulnerability level at the time and go from there.



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/29/2009 10:53:33 AM)

I have no problem with it if it's used in context. If it's used just for the sake of having swear words in it, or as a word filler, then the author probably isn't very good to begin with so why bother wasting my time with such drivel?

quote:

Definitely. Of Mice and Men is one that comes to mind. That book would not be the same without it's vernacular and cursing. And I do not believe God would forbid us from reading it...

This is a great example. [:)]



jonfortean6 -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/29/2009 11:53:55 AM)

quote:

What does "realinize" mean? Is it a swear word?


It's not a real word. I just made it up on the spot to communicate the element of "making something artificial appear as close to the real thing as possible." (for example, an artist drawing something on a sheet of paper that appears 3D, although it is really 2D). [8D]
_______________________________________

I understand what everyone is saying, but I'm still not agreeing with the overall thesis. If someone commits sexual immorality in a book, and the author describes it in graphic detail, you wouldn't read that book, right? I'm not seeing the difference between that and the aspect of cursing.

quote:

Although personally I have NEVER used swear words. In my book I once use **** to denote a swear word and leave it to the reader to decide which, of many swear words, he would like to put there.



Now that I would not necessarily have a problem with, because when you use that method, it's like informing the reader about what is going on, without committing the actual graphic phrase to paper. I've seen a few authors do this.
______________________________________________

To be honest, I'm torn, because I can't figure out what I'm trying to say, lol. I can claim that we shouldn't describe any immorality in a book, but then what pops in my head is, "What about lying?" I wouldn't have a problem with reading a book in which the author makes a character lie, and actually dialogues the lie. But somehow I sense a difference between doing that and cursing in a book, but I can't seem to grasp it...



MrFribbles -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/29/2009 1:05:27 PM)

It's a matter of personal conviction. Personally, I have absolutely no problem with it. I'm a huge Stephen King fan, and he often (but not always) utilizes multiple vulgar words and phrases in his books. Sometimes I think it's a bit over the top, but it hasn't led me to be constantly filled with profanities, so I don't see any biblical reason to stop.
But if a person has a personal conviction to stay away from books/stories with vulgar language, then I would certainly encourage them to remain true to that conviction.



mvic -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/29/2009 2:07:28 PM)

Let's consider the motives of the writer when he uses swear words in a book or graphically describes sexual immorality.

Is the author doing this to excite and titillate the reader? Is he doing it because he knows it will sell copies? Is it necessary and in context with the story-line?

Having decided on that, the reader then needs to assess whether he wants to be "used" by the writer in this manner.

It's a personal choice and the morals/ethics of the reader (not the writer) come very much into play here - i.e. if you don't like it, bin it.



GrannyofSix -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/29/2009 4:21:27 PM)

I wouldn't. I have so many inspirational books and biographies of spiritual church leaders to read, that I seriously doubt I'll get to all of them before I die. Not to mention daily Bible Study. I don't want those words in my mind and cringe when I hear someone cussing in public.



JHerr -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/29/2009 4:54:00 PM)

I read books that have cursing in them. That being said, it does influence the type of books I will read. While I will read books with cursing, I can't handle it when it is excessive. One of the many reasons I won't read a lot of Stephen King books (others include it is just too hard to get into some of them).

I kinda agree with MrFribbles on this one



RogerBennett_Fan -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/29/2009 6:33:41 PM)

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.



MrFribbles -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/30/2009 12:50:19 AM)

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?



IamLibertarian -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/30/2009 2:58:11 AM)

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.



stellaluna -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/30/2009 9:08:39 AM)

Another point that is usually lost in these discussions is historical language. For example, a word that was considered swearing in 1900 probably wouldn't be recognized as such now. You could be reading along in Oliver Twist (pick any book) and never see a curse word simply because you don't recognize them.



PinkCarnations -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/30/2009 9:12:44 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna

Another point that is usually lost in these discussions is historical language. For example, a word that was considered swearing in 1900 probably wouldn't be recognized as such now. You could be reading along in Oliver Twist (pick any book) and never see a curse word simply because you don't recognize them.


Most excellent point!



RogerBennett_Fan -> RE: Is It Okay to Read Books in Which The Author Uses Swear Words? (6/30/2009 3:06:48 PM)

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?



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