A Word About Profanity

General George Washington issued the following on August 3rd, 1776:

I am sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane swearing, a vice heretofore little known in an American army, is growing in fashion. I hope that the officers will, by example and influence, endeavor to check it, and that both they and their men will reflect, that we have but little hope of the blessing of heaven in our arms, if we insult Him by our impiety and folly. Added to this it is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.

Birth Of The Sunday School

Many years ago a young newspaper publisher went for a walk in one of the lower-class neighborhoods of Gloucester, England. He was on his way to interview a man to be his gardener. But as publisher Robert Raikes walked through the slums, he was surrounded by children, he was horrified by the language they used. Even in their playing, these children swore and cussed and profaned the Lord’s name and the Lord’s words. His soul was so deeply disturbed by what he saw and heard that day that he resolved to do something about it. And he did. He started a new institution, a new kind of school, a new ministry that, to this day, we call – Sunday school.

Branch Rickey

Branch Rickey, a member of Baseball’s Hall of Fame and long time manager of several major league teams, was a Christian. When he had been head of the Brooklyn Dodgers, he was at a meeting negotiating a ballplayer’s contract in a deal involving thousands of dollars. Suddenly, Rickey threw down his pencil, pushed back his chair, and growled, “The deal’s off.”

The other men were astonished. “Why?” they asked. “We’re coming along well with these negotiations.”

“Because,” said Rickey, “you’ve been talking about a friend of mine, and I don’t like it.”

“But what friend do you mean? I haven’t been talking about anyone, let alone a friend of yours.”

“Oh yes, you have,” replied Rickey. “You’ve mentioned him in almost every sentence.” And he referred them to their constant profane use of the name Jesus Christ. The men quickly apologized, stopped their profanity, and the negotiations continued.

…let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:3b-4)

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)

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