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comment by SadPandaIsSad
SadPandaIsSad  ·  3457 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Why the %#£! does it matter whether a book contains swearing?

I know a woman who claims the word literally makes her ill. I'm not her so I can't say whether she is exaggerating or not. Regardless I don't understand it.

To me it's foolish to let words hurt you no matter what they are or how they are used. Then again I was teased incessantly growing up so I learned to not let words get to me.

So what it comes down to now is: Are people just to sensitive about things that are out of their control or do the rest of is need to be more sensitive? Or is there a third option?

I'm inclined to say balance is everything but I am conflicted internally about this since a word is imaginary. It doesn't have meaning without human interpretation. Therefore it only means to us that which we hold it to mean. This makes me lean toward the "people are too sensitive" side but I'm not committed.

Edit: additional content below

I actually had a discussion with my cousin about using gods name in vain. He says it bothers him when other people do it. The reason is that he was raised to believe that it's wrong because the bible says not to use gods name in vain. So he forces it on others who do because he believes it's wrong. At this point I have to take the stance of "your belief shouldn't affect how and who I am." After all, there is a big deference between how your were raised and what is actually right or wrong and ones belief in something as silly as use of an imaginary construct shouldn't be something that makes you uncomfortable or upset.





RicePaddy  ·  3457 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Oh man, Christians like your cousin can be so difficult to talk to, even as a Christian. I'm a Christian guy (although, some of my beliefs aren't exactly in line with mainstream Christianity), and the place I usually get told off for the way I speak is among other Christians. As far as I'm concerned it's just the way people speak. I mean, if we're talking about an all-powerful, omniscient being here, I highly doubt he'd be offended by somebody saying "Oh my God" in surprise.

SadPandaIsSad  ·  3457 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I so agree lol. He is a bit better now. I learned that he can have his beliefs and not push it. Good guy.