Profanity and the Profane

The word profane is Latin for “outside the temple.” All that was unclean or impure was considered profane, or “outside the temple.” Today we have brought the profane into our homes and our hearts.  According to G.E. Veith, “profanity uses religious language in a way that desecrates or trivializes its sacred meaning.” Though this will be surprising to many, profane language includes some of the most widely used phrases in our Christian cultures, such as “Oh my God!; Oh my Goodness; For Goodness Sake; Good Heavens, Oh Heavens, Oh my Word etc;” Webster’s 1828 dictionary gives a list of profane language. The most powerful statement against profane language is found in Exodus 20:7, “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” In Shakespeare’s day the word “God” was not used in the scripts of drama plays for fear that it might be used in vain. Today you cannot watch a G rated movie or read a book without hearing or reading expression of “My God.” Words are what brought the universe into existence. God places a high value upon words.