Clean out your mouth!

What a serene late summer afternoon! The elements were all at peace with one another, and the students were softly grazing among the tranquil harmony, aiming to make the most of this time of relaxation. It seemed as if nothing could shuffle this translucent mellowness; but suddenly, with a sharp burst disturbing the soft conversation of trees shifting gently in the breeeze, came a piercing “#$*%&^@!!!”

Eye brows were lifted, and several students gazed around campus to get a glimpse of the disrupter. Standing only a few meters off were two girls engaged in a ronchy conversation. Back and forth they wrecklessly talked, “^&*%$!!!”

Foul language? At EMU? Some were shocked to hear such coarse talk, most probably being freshmen; but by the time they reach their final year here, such words have become common jargon. Is this degrading language neccesary? Many who regularly choose such words often have a severely limited vocabulary and quickly lose the ability to aptly describe what needs a description.

The usage of poor language does not benefit the user and degrades those who listen. Every word should be watched; no slip of the tongue will be left unnoticed by God. Loren Swartzendruber certainly did not get his job by going to the interview and saying, “I’ll be a &*%($) good President!” Ervin Stutzman is not dean of the seminary due to his acrobatical skills in juggling multiple foul words when engaged in converseation.

From where is everyone learning these words? The television set and moving picture shows that encompass a great deal of student activities seem to have a large influence in the way the viewers present themselves. The popular culture makes great use of these two tools in diffusing supposedly witty and humorous words and sayings, and the attitudes that come with them. Radio and contemporary music also rank high as diffusion tools.

Christians should be shocked at the abuse of English, not accustomed to hearing it from other brothers and sisters. Few were shocked when John Fischer, guest for Spiritual Life Week, spoke of his music as such: “Every once in awhile I’ll come upon one of my old albums and say, “Damn! That’s good.” It should be a shock for this kind of language to be used in the Christian community, especially by revered personalities such as Fischer. Such loose language is neither encouraged nor condoned by scripture, and Jesus, Paul, and Solomon all condemned wayward words.

The epitome of the tounge’s cruelty is when it curses its Maker and/or uses His name in vain. Even words such as “gee,” “golly,” and “gosh” have their roots in the words “Jesus” and “God.”

Be careful how you use languages, the method of communication with which God has blessed humans. God’s creation should be used to glorify, not dishonor, Him.