Philologists can best explain what foul language is. However, the topic is also relevant in many religious teachings, the tenets of which prohibit the use of obscene and unethical expressions. In general, foul language is usually understood as a personal trait that is expressed in filling one’s speech with indecent, abusive, obscene phrases.
Where did the word come from?
You can understand what foul language is if you take a closer look at it. The root is “filth”. Currently, this word itself is practically not used; for wide circles it seems outdated, associated more with the religious sphere of life than with the secular. But in former times they meant, as confirmed by the dictionary compiled by Dahl, something vile and disgusting, vile and disgusting both from a spiritual point of view and from a carnal, material point of view. Evil could be called rot, stench, disgusting from the point of view of religion, aesthetics, moral standards, rules of moral behavior.
It so happened that the terminology predominantly used for abusive purposes is associated with the names of intimate interactions between people, genitals, and bowel movements, due to the peculiarities of the physiological processes of our body. In English there is a special concept for this: “dirty dozen”.
Why is foul language a huge evil?
Alas, the level of speech culture today is so catastrophically low that neither politicians in public speeches nor journalists are ashamed to resort to “profanity,” as swearing is called in linguistics, let alone “mere mortals”: many speak obscenely, managing to hardly resort to other words. All this is very sad, especially because foul language is not only and not so much a cultural problem. And least of all the problem of culture. The pastors of the Russian Orthodox Church speak about why foul language is evil, why it is dangerous from a spiritual point of view, and what powers the person swearing calls upon, giving advice on how to refrain from foul language and how to resist the temptation to swear.
1st ordeal, sin of the tongue
Foul language is enslavement to demonic forces
Hegumen Nektary (Morozov):
– The word is a universal tool that is given to us to communicate with people, but we most often turn our prayer to God into verbal form. There is, of course, such a prayer, as St. Theophan the Recluse says, when we pray not with words, but with a feeling, some kind of thought that has not taken shape in words. But most often we still turn to God verbally. When a person uses the gift of speech given to him so unreasonably, carelessly that he allows himself to utter angry words, this is both illogical and unnatural, for, as the Apostle James points out, both bitter and sweet water cannot flow from the same source (cf. James 3:11–12). A person cannot glorify God and blaspheme someone with the same lips.
When a person swears, he insults not so much his lips as his heart, and then it becomes very difficult to truly turn to God.
Archpriest Sergiy Pravdolyubov:
– Words are not neutral. They are interconnected with the world around us. Unlike animals, which were called dumb in ancient times, man has the highest degree of literature and intelligence. He can glorify God with his tongue, or he can scold or curse someone. You can say simple words: “I don’t know this Man,” and renounce Him. Or you can say: “I am faithful to Him even to death!” - and become a martyr.
The obscenities used by many people are euphemisms, that is, words that are not fully understood to their final meaning, only hints, half-names. And open swearing without embellishment is scary and terrible!
One prisoner of the Solovetsky special purpose camp spoke with trepidation about how he heard full-fledged curses of great masters of such curses among prisoners in 1936. He said that the man who swore so masterfully did not study in either a seminary or a theological school, but he swore with such subtlety and knowledge of dogma and theology, almost impossible for an ordinary person, that it became clear that this was a broadcast of the thoughts and words of those terrible forces that always fight with God. Repeating such words is joining the power that perceives God in this way. Lightened meanings and euphemisms do not eliminate the very essence and power of these words. That is why we must firmly and responsibly guard against the use of such words and avoid first subordination and then enslavement to these demonic forces.
Archpriest Maxim Kozlov:
By using foul language, we sin against one of the features of the likeness of God in us - the ability to speak
– The sin of foul language, in my opinion, is terrible because we sin against one of the features of the likeness of God in us. This trait, according to St. John of Damascus, is the ability to speak. Accordingly, the enemy of the human race most of all wants to distort in man that through which man becomes like God. Distort love, distort the purity, simplicity of the soul. He also seeks to distort the use of the gift of speech, which distinguishes us from all other visible creation. And the fight against bad language is not the fight against a bad habit. It is a struggle to remain a Christian.
How to resist the temptation to say a rotten word
Archpriest Oleg Stenyaev:
– The Holy Scriptures say that we must beware of idle words, we must beware of rotten words. Thus, in the Epistle to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes: “Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth, but only what is good for edification of the faith, so that it may bring grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:29–30).
Advice for angry people: if irritation approaches, then try to speak as slowly as possible
A person must be very careful with his words, so I usually give this advice to angry people: if irritation approaches, then try to speak as slowly as possible. As the Epistle of the Apostle James says: whoever can bridle the tongue will also bridle the whole body (cf. James 3:2). When a person switches to slow speech, it is easier for him to control it. He will be able to avoid idle and rotten words and slanderous statements.
We must control our speech as much as possible. Even when we reprimand something to people, we must clearly understand why we are doing it. Do we want to help a person? Or do we want to disgrace him or even destroy him? We are commanded that we should not approach any sinner with words of reproof unless we have words of correction for that person. This is something you should always remember.
Archpriest Alexander Kuzin:
– Foul language is a consequence of the heart being overwhelmed by unclean passions, “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). It happens that a generally clean person ends up in an environment where foul language reigns - in the army, at a construction site, etc. It takes effort not to give in to temptation. If you gave in, repent. If you don’t give in, you carry your cross of confession of Christ – and help you, Lord.
Archpriest Pavel Gumerov:
- Foul language is a great sin. And not only foul language, but any rude, abusive word. The Apostle Paul says: “Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29). It is completely unacceptable to litter your speech with obscene language - not only for a Christian, but also for a person who simply has a conscience.
But this is not only a serious sin, but also a crime. The Administrative Code of the Russian Federation considers obscene language in public places as an offense - “minor hooliganism”, which is punishable by a fine or administrative arrest for up to 15 days. This article is very rarely used, but if there are witnesses or a meticulous policeman comes across, the person can be fined or sent to prison for 15 days. And if obscene language is used against a specific person, then this is already an insult - not an administrative crime, but a criminal one. Article 130 of the Criminal Code provides for punishment for insult using obscene language. As you can see, everything is very serious.
You cannot take abuse lightly. This is always an insult to the feelings of another person, but if someone wants to insult another person, then they are insulting something sacred to them. And the most sacred thing for a person is his mother or his faith. Insulting faith is now punishable by law. But even by insulting a mother, you inflict a very serious offense on a person.
By using obscene language, we participate in the pagan invocation of dark forces
Why is foul language a serious sin for a Christian? Because, as, for example, Bishop Varnava (Belyaev) writes, the roots of foul language are in the pagan phallic cult. This cult of worship of all sorts of abominations was present among many pagan peoples. So if a person utters these words, even without wanting to offend someone, just for the sake of connecting words, he not only insults the mother of the person he is addressing - and not only his mother, but, as our ancestors also said, he insults The Mother of God and our land are three insults at once. So, he still, willy-nilly, reads pagan spells of the phallic cult. This cult is associated with pagan worship of the powers of fertility and was accompanied by all sorts of obscenities. It was or is among all pagan peoples, including Slavic paganism. It is still practiced by various Rodnovers, when they dance around a phallic pillar. So, by using obscene language, we participate in the pagan invocation of evil spirits.
By using foul language, you, as a Christian, renounce the faith and serve all sorts of unclean infernal entities. So this is a very scary thing.
During the day, record how many times you swore, and in the evening give 10 bows for each rotten word
Breaking the habit of swearing is difficult. This is passion, a persistent sinful addiction. One military man gave such very good advice - and among the military, unfortunately, this passion is widespread. So, he said this: “During the day, I tried to record how many times I swore, and then, when I came to the barracks in the evening, I bowed 10 times for each swear word. And when you bow 100 times, I don’t want to swear next time.” This is how a person corrected himself. It seems to me that it is very effective when you record your sin yourself and then want to punish yourself for it. Of course, it is difficult to record; Maybe it’s worth keeping a notebook of some kind so that you can note down how many times you couldn’t resist. But the advice seems good to me.
It is impossible to curse and pray!
Archpriest Alexy Uminsky:
– The sin of foul language has a double evil feature. First of all, this is a dirty desecration of oneself. Because the word is great in itself. Because we know that the word is God. God is the Word. And “by the word of the Lord the heavens were established, and by the breath of His mouth was all their strength” (Ps. 33:6). Because even the word “man” itself – a Russian word, sometimes incorrectly interpreted as a compound of “chelo” and “vek” – means “verbal”. Man means “verbal.” And the Slavs - from the word “verbal”. The word is what makes a person human, what distinguishes a person from an animal. That which makes a person the image and likeness of God. And when a person begins to humiliate, destroy, and devastate this word, then the person devastates himself.
Second: the word has power. Our great Russian poet Nikolai Gumilyov wrote beautifully about this power of words:
On that day, when God bowed His face over the new world, then the Sun was stopped with a word, and cities were destroyed with a Word.
And the eagle did not flap its wings, The stars huddled in horror to the moon, If, like a pink flame, the Word floated in the heights...
Foul language is the destruction of the world. God creates - and man destroys
The word can create, and the word can destroy. The Word of God is creative. And the human word can be creative. The word of the saints is creative. Words of kindness and love are very creative. But swearing and foul language are destructive. They carry within them the specter of the most terrible destruction of the world. God creates, and man destroys; God builds, and man destroys. And therefore foul language has these two meanings. Or maybe even more meanings. But it seems to me that these two that I mentioned are the most dangerous.
Priest Alexander Shumsky:
– No one said this better than the Apostle James: “So the tongue is a small member, but does a lot. Look, a small fire ignites a lot of substance! And the tongue is fire, the embellishment of untruth; the tongue is in such a position between our members that it defiles the whole body and sets the circle of life on fire, being itself set on fire by Gehenna” (James 3:5-6).
Indeed, there is no better way to say it. He uttered a black word - and everything is desecrated: both body and soul. And the people who hear this are also defiled. You don’t swear yourself, for example, but you’re among those who swear, and after a while you feel like you’ve been sprayed with shit from a spray bottle—you want to go to the shower to wash yourself. Because whether you want it or not, you still absorb these words into yourself, even though you don’t say them.
According to the apostle, the tongue, inflamed by Gehenna, also inflames the circle of life. This is inflammation, this is pus—spiritual pus that accumulates in the wound and then breaks out. It's a terrible thing.
Foul language is anti-prayer, it is essentially a sacrifice to Satan. Once I said to one foul-mouthed person: “You can swear for hours without experiencing any difficulty in pronouncing these words. And try to say for at least one minute: “Lord, have mercy!” Two words – just one minute!” And he couldn't. He got angry and swore at me after that. This is such a sad experiment. Ask the person to pray for a couple of minutes instead of swearing - at least for an argument. After all, he won’t say even a short Jesus Prayer. He will still get angry and start fighting.
It is impossible to swear and pray!
Deacon Vladimir Vasilik:
– Foul language is scary because it plunges a person into the world of demonic possession. By uttering bad and blasphemous words, he becomes a demonic vessel and a demonic mouthpiece. One philosopher said that we become what we eat and we become what we say. Therefore, both foul language and slander are terrible. Because a person, by saying nasty things, himself becomes like them - in other words, he himself becomes a reptile.
I understand why people curse. They use foul language in order not to fight, in order not to hurt each other's faces, but this is a bad solution. This is called a black confession, it is a release of steam, a release of emotions that actually do not go anywhere, but settle even deeper in a person and poison him. Ultimately, under certain conditions, they can provoke him to commit a crime.
The only way to avoid anger and swearing is confession and prayer. Moreover, the Spirit of God and the Holy Spirit are incompatible with foul language, just as a bee is incompatible with smoke.
And one more point: by uttering swear words, we humiliate and insult our mother; and secondly, we insult the Mother of God. And it is known that the Lord punishes for this. How did Russian soldiers march on the Kulikovo field? With prayer, with spiritual chants. And on the day of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Mother of God, God granted them victory. Why did we often lose battles in the 19th and 20th centuries? Because they were walking with swearers. So we get the full reward for this. For inability to guard your lips.
For a modern person, personal asceticism and the ability to abstain are more important than ever. More than ever, with the current abundance of food, fasting is important. And therefore, thank God, the draft decision of the Pan-Orthodox Council on fasting, which was recently published, does not in any way encroach on its basis. If during the previous risky farming, during the famine that periodically began, people found the strength to fast, then we are ashamed not to fast. It's understandable why people curse. From gluttony and drunkenness. From drunkenness, of course, more. “Why did your sister Sodom sin, if not because she ate her bread to the full and satiety?” Ezekiel asks.
Here are the obvious reasons for foul language: promiscuity, gluttony, drunkenness, wounded pride, a large number of negative emotions, which a disciplined and moral person, with God’s help, can and should deal with.
Back to basics
To better understand what foul language is, you can study the historical features of the development of the Russian language. It is known that such methods of expressing one’s thoughts existed in the old days, before the advent of Christianity. The ancestors believed that this would help protect themselves from demons, spirits, and evil forces of the other world. This has been preserved to this day in sayings, for example: “The devil will be afraid of swearing.” In fact, obscene words and phrases were used as a talisman.
Russian foul language has a rather interesting history, rituals, and traditions. For example, in ancient times, men, trying to ward off evil spirits from their home, not only used appropriate expressions, but also demonstrated their genitals, believing that this could frighten demons and spirits. To some extent, this was a dialogue with the other world, and for it they used those means that, it seemed, would have sufficient power to help cross the border of the material world and another, mysterious, mystical one.
Adviсe
The eradication of foul language is possible only with the victory over ignorance. To do this you need:
- Educational institutions should hold events and classes where children, together with their parents, can learn about the origins and causes of foul language.
- At enterprises, managers can introduce a system of additional bonuses for those employees who do not use obscene language in communication.
- Increase the level of spiritual and personal development of a person.
Yesterday Today Tomorrow
Currently, the term “infernal vocabulary” is used. They are used to designate expressions, words, as well as behavior associated with attempts to interact with otherworldly entities. The name comes from the Latin word “underworld”. However, conversations about foul language have become extremely relevant these days, since emotionally loaded phrases are used by many without any idea or purpose, but simply out of habit. Mostly, this is typical among ignorant people with a low level of education. It is believed that mentioning human genitals humiliates the interlocutor, insults him, and on the part of the speaker demonstrates a lack of fear and an aggressive position. To some extent, this is also an attempt to show oneself as a relaxed person, for whom the norms of behavior recognized in society do not play any role.
The main reason for foul language is an attempt to prove to yourself and others your high position. The person seems to be demonstrating to others that he is stronger and superior, and therefore can afford to be treated offensively. Anyone who does not feel so confident in himself will, of course, not dare to curse his interlocutor. If a person is under the influence of strong emotional stress, harsh words can act as a means of energy release, an attempt to relax. The more emotional the speech, the easier it is to express internal expression through it. However, psychologists point out that this path leads to a kind of dependence - once a person has become accustomed to expressing his emotions in this way, in the future it will be difficult for a person to switch to forms of speech that do not offend his interlocutors.
Causes
There are many reasons for bad language, here are a few main ones:
- The desire to show superiority over other people . Loud swearing, spoken in a raised voice with sharp negative emotions, causes fear in people. Thus, a person wants to show others that he is not afraid of anything and is stronger than others.
- Demonstration of disdain for the system of prohibitions . Using bad words in defiance of existing rules in any place and at the desired time.
- A way of expressing emotions . Some people are accustomed to relieve accumulated emotional tension with the help of “strong words.” Energy discharge gives relaxation, but there is a danger of getting used to this way of expressing emotions. Insulting your interlocutors with abusive language becomes a habit.
- Insulting and humiliating the addressee, displaying aggression . Almost all words and expressions of obscene language are offensive. Swearing phrases with added aggression have an overwhelming effect on the interlocutor and humiliate the person.
- Lack of education . If a child hears swear words from childhood, this becomes the norm for him. In his adult life, he parodies the form of communication that is already familiar to him.
- Ideal orientation . This reason is relevant for people of different ages. The people around you can influence a person's behavior. Who will he choose as an object of imitation, a well-mannered person or a person who constantly swears? Most often, the choice of incorrect ideals is observed in childhood, when the personality is not yet fully formed.
- The desire to be like everyone else . The society surrounding a person significantly influences his habits and behavior. To be like everyone else, not to stand out from the crowd - these principles often become decisive in people’s communication.
To reconcile or not?
For the first time, the official fight against foul language in our country began on the initiative of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, who issued a thematic decree in 1648. It followed from it that at wedding celebrations and during the performance of rituals one should not resort to obscene expressions. In particular, the ban was imposed on “shameful words” and “demonic songs.” This restriction also extended to the holiday period. It was also forbidden to “bark” using obscene expressions. The ban applied equally to both men and women.
An official fight against foul language began, in which the church position was finally formed: the use of swear words insults the Mother of God. In addition, with a certain perception, it turned out that the person was insulting his own mother. In a broader sense, the whole earth is considered mother. By using abusive remarks, the person expressed his disrespect for her. By the way, there was an opinion that swear words could provoke diseases, epidemics, various misfortunes and even natural disasters. Those caught violating the royal decree were subjected to corporal punishment right on the street: those who were guilty were flogged with rods.
What is profanity?
“Do not use obscene or generally any dirty, abusive words. Passing through your consciousness, your tongue, they pollute you, your mind, your soul. By using dirty words, you become dirtier.”
F.G. Angles
Profanity comes from the word “filth.” V. Dahl’s dictionary says: “filth is an abomination, muck, dirty trick, everything vile, disgusting, disgusting, indecent...”. The roots of foul language go back to distant pagan antiquity. Bad words were included in spells addressed to pagan deities; swearing was the language of communication with demons. Our ancestors uttered these words, calling upon the demons of evil to help them. Witches and sorceresses used foul language in their slander, sending a curse.
The mechanism of influence of foul language on a person is connected with this. Swearing awakens in his subconscious the “psychoviruses” inherited by a person along with his gene memory. By using swear words in conversations with friends and family, modern people, without knowing it, are performing a secret ritual, calling on evil.
A misconception is the generally accepted opinion that swearing is a Slavic tradition. Foul language in Rus' until about the middle of the 19th century was not only not widespread, but was also criminally punishable. During the times of Mikhail Fedorovich and Alexei Mikhailovich, corporal punishment was imposed for foul language.
Then other times came. Harsh abuse sounded first in the taverns, and then spilled out onto the city streets.
In the 19th century, profanity gradually evolved from swearing into the basis of the language of factory workers and artisans.
Why is this necessary?
The causes and consequences of foul language in our lives have more than once become the object of attention of philologists and psychologists. It is commonly said that with constant use it turns into a personality quality. When the situation reaches this stage, psychologists talk about lack of culture in a pathological form. A habit develops, and people don’t even pay attention to how they build complex speech from abusive bricks, and swear words gradually begin to dominate over literary ones. Automatic application completely escapes the attention of the person himself.
The negative impact of foul language and filler words
Most often, swear words have a negative impact on a person’s luck and fortune rather than on his well-being.
Unreasonable curses. If obscene expressions are the norm for you, pay attention to the state of your biofield. It will probably be weaker and more fragile. In addition, such words attract problems.
Curses addressed to a person. If one person wishes another person troubles and problems in a very dirty form, this leads to the appearance of similar problems for himself. It is not without reason that they say that those who wish evil receive it themselves.
Parasite words. “As if”, “here”, “well”, “in short”, “like”, “accordingly”, “means” - all this is rubbish. If a person’s speech is filled with such phrases, his whole life is probably filled with unnecessary garbage. This refers to negative programs, unpleasant thoughts, bad people. Bioenergetics experts believe that parasitic words are a powerful magnet that attracts diseases.
Whose destiny?
As can be seen from the history of foul language, in earlier times people faced similar changes in human behavior. It is noted that more often people with a weak, small vocabulary resort to swearing - the time that is spent pronouncing additional words that do not carry a semantic load gives the person more space to think about the meaningful part. At the same time, speech ballast (according to a well-developed, from the point of view of cultural norms, person) becomes a real lifeline for someone prone to using obscene phrases, otherwise constant hesitations and pauses in speech could expose him to ridicule. The complication of speech structures, achieved by using swear words, creates the appearance of a complex phrase, which allows you to increase self-esteem and assert yourself in the eyes of society.
Modern traditions
It so happens that in our country, from childhood, children are taught: uttering swear words is bad. But it is not often that parents and educators think about the fact that it is important not only to establish that this is bad, but also to clearly explain why this is so. Psychologists say that foul language for many is an attempt to cope with their own shame and conscience. Once a person has conquered himself, he gets the opportunity to continue to do what he wants - gradually it becomes a habit.
In America, one amazing and effective way was invented to get rid of foul language. When a child comes home and asks his parents the meaning of a swear word, he is not scolded for such a question, but they clearly explain what it literally means and what the figurative meaning of this term is. After this, the child is sent to wash his mouth with soap. This is intended to reinforce in the creation of a little man that the use of such vocabulary makes the mind, body, hearing, and mouth that pronounces the sounds dirty. Psychologists who have conducted research on this topic note: the method really works.
What are the roots of “swearing”?
Without a doubt, swearing contains pagan and occult roots. In philology there is such a concept as “infernal vocabulary”. The word “infernal” means: “hellish, from the underworld.” When a person swears, he associates himself with unclean spirits.
Initially, swearing was also invented to communicate with goblins, brownies. By speaking vile words, a person calls vile demons to himself and makes a verbal sacrifice to Satan.
An instructive story: “There was one man, eminent in rank and virtuous in life, his name was Stephen. He had one bad habit - swearing with unclean words. One day he came home from somewhere tired and upset and shouted angrily to his slave: “Hey, you devil, take off my shoes!” “And so, as soon as he uttered these bad words, the boots began to come off by themselves with great force, so that not only the tops cracked, but also Stefan’s very bones...
Stefan began to scream loudly, his household came running to his voice, and then it became clear to everyone that the one whose name Stefan named his slave himself came to his service and tore off his boots, Stefan also recognized his sin and cried out to the demon in horror : “Get away from me, evil servant! I didn’t call you, but my bought slave!” The demon left, but the boots were no longer there; they were later found in an indecent place..."
Stereotypes and curse words
In our country it is customary to think that it was the Russians who laid the foundation for foul language; only in our country is the swear language so rich. In fact, philologists have long established that this is just a stereotype. Moreover, ours is not one of the richest languages in written expressions. Different countries have very different traditions, which is very clearly shown in the well-known story “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Yu. Rytkheu.
Every people in their language perceives as abuse that which humiliates the sacred concepts and traditions of the area for these people. Thus, the Greeks, in their swear words, will most often make references to sexual acts with divine persons, but the Arabs living in Egypt will indicate the interlocutor’s unconventional orientation.
Trying to offend an opponent, a Muslim will call him a dog, a Bulgarian will call him a freak. By the way, you can even sue a person for this. But in one of the African tribes, the worst insult is the offer to eat vegetables, since this is considered the most humiliating action possible. Such abuse can lead to celibacy if the person scolded does not find what to answer! Indeed, the consequences of foul language in different traditions and among different peoples are very different.
It is impossible to curse and pray!
Archpriest Alexy Uminsky:
– The sin of foul language has a double evil feature. First of all, this is a dirty desecration of oneself. Because the word is great in itself. Because we know that the word is God. God is the Word. And “by the word of the Lord the heavens were established, and by the breath of His mouth was all their strength” (Ps. 33:6). Because even the word “man” itself – a Russian word, sometimes incorrectly interpreted as a compound of “chelo” and “vek” – means “verbal”. Man means “verbal.” And the Slavs - from the word “verbal”. The word is what makes a person human, what distinguishes a person from an animal. That which makes a person the image and likeness of God. And when a person begins to humiliate, destroy, and devastate this word, then the person devastates himself.
Second: the word has power. Our great Russian poet Nikolai Gumilyov wrote beautifully about this power of words:
On that day, when God bowed His face over the new world, then the Sun was stopped with a word, and cities were destroyed with a Word.
And the eagle did not flap its wings, The stars huddled in horror to the moon, If, like a pink flame, the Word floated in the heights...
The word can create, and the word can destroy. The Word of God is creative. And the human word can be creative. The word of the saints is creative. Words of kindness and love are very creative. But swearing and foul language are destructive. They carry within them the specter of the most terrible destruction of the world. God creates, and man destroys; God builds, and man destroys. And therefore foul language has these two meanings. Or maybe even more meanings. But it seems to me that these two that I mentioned are the most dangerous.
Priest Alexander Shumsky:
– No one said this better than the Apostle James: “So the tongue is a small member, but does a lot. Look, a small fire ignites a lot of substance! And the tongue is fire, the embellishment of untruth; the tongue is in such a position between our members that it defiles the whole body and sets the circle of life on fire, being itself set on fire by Gehenna” (James 3:5-6).
Indeed, there is no better way to say it. He uttered a black word - and everything is desecrated: both body and soul. And the people who hear this are also defiled. You don’t swear yourself, for example, but you’re among those who swear, and after a while you feel like you’ve been sprayed with shit from a spray bottle—you want to go to the shower to wash yourself. Because whether you want it or not, you still absorb these words into yourself, even though you don’t say them.
According to the apostle, the tongue, inflamed by Gehenna, also inflames the circle of life. This is inflammation, this is pus—spiritual pus that accumulates in the wound and then breaks out. It's a terrible thing.
Foul language is anti-prayer, it is essentially a sacrifice to Satan. Once I said to one foul-mouthed person: “You can swear for hours without experiencing any difficulty in pronouncing these words. And try to say for at least one minute: “Lord, have mercy!” Two words – just one minute!” And he couldn't. He got angry and swore at me after that. This is such a sad experiment. Ask the person to pray for a couple of minutes instead of swearing - at least for an argument. After all, he won’t say even a short Jesus Prayer. He will still get angry and start fighting.
Caught in the act!
Despite the prevailing opinion that obscene expressions are the lot of ordinary people, there are many examples from history when famous people made such mistakes in their speech. For example, angry at himself, Hitler more than once applied to himself the most unflattering epithets of the German language.
There is a well-known story about how Prince Charles once very unsuccessfully gave free rein to his tongue when, during a speech to schoolchildren, he dropped a sheet of paper with a speech written on it. He expressed himself in an extremely unethical manner. What adds a special piquancy to the situation is the fact that the piece of paper contained (as media representatives are convinced) a speech dedicated precisely to the unacceptability of foul language in everyday life.
There are known cases from history when Truman, Nixon, Gorbachev, and Chernomyrdin allowed themselves “strong words.” Even in Plisetskaya’s memoirs one can find similar incidents, as well as in Okudzhava’s catch phrases.
Relevance of the problem
As many philologists note, what makes the Russian language powerful is not the variety of swear words, but the ability to express an arbitrarily complex thought without the use of obscene terms. Moreover, in certain circles it is considered a much more effective way to insult an interlocutor by subtly playing with language terms, intonation, and the possibilities of irony and sarcasm. Such a remark hurts much more than a directly expressed, established indecent expression in the hearts. But, as can be seen from everyday life, our compatriots who want to express expression in speech prefer to resort to cliched phrases.
Recently, swearing in various forms has become widespread among all ages and social strata. Even in books, on cinema and television screens you can hear obscene phrases. All this affects the public, lowering the level of culture. People get used to the fact that this particular way of expressing their thoughts is the norm. Of course, this needs to be combated by raising the general cultural level of society.
How does swearing affect our DNA?
Before speaking any words, a person must think that a nightingale can be used to justify oneself, to condemn oneself, and that a word can cause physical harm.
Doctor of Biological Sciences P. P. Garyaev made an important discovery, which he described in the book “Wave Genetic Code”. During the experiments, it was revealed that swear words do not fly past us, but cause us tangible physical harm.
Scientists have recorded: a swear word causes a mutagenic effect similar to radiation exposure. (The impact of swearing is equivalent to radiation exposure of 10-40 thousand roentgens - from such a dose DNA chains break and chromosomes disintegrate.) From this experiment it is clear that with foul language there is a degeneration of the nation, a slow self-destruction. This is where, among other things, hereditary diseases and various deformities in children originate.
The book of Deuteronomy says: “I am the Lord your God, a jealous God, for the iniquity of the fathers, punishing the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me” (Deut. 5:9).
