Surely you’ve noticed how profanity rules American conversation.
The nation’s most popular podcaster uses the “f-word” or God’s Name in vain every few minutes; he’s topped by a competing podcaster (and former Navy Seal) who literally uses it every minute during an interview with a young woman, not to mention on his own show; a liberal congressman uses the term “rat’s a**” during a hearing (excuse even these censored abbreviations); the f-word is uttered throughout the White House (most recently by a cabinet secretary who was heard shouting it in a discussion with Elon Musk); comedians deploy vulgarities as a matter of course; and it is now of regular, accepted usage in various print and online news outlets, often (as in the recent Atlantic) without the abbreviation.
Words that were once censored are now largely accepted in mainstream media, literature, and everyday conversation. How about the “middle finger”?
It’s everywhere–profanity–even on billboards and in advertisements. Our sad time–and a “sign of the times.” A sign for sure of societal degradation.
Words (excuse us again) like “hell,” “damn,” “b—h,” or “s–t” were once off-limits but are now considered too mild to even care about. It gets worse from there.
Are Christians okay with this?
Heaven isn’t. During exorcisms, one hears the same kind of language–from demons.
The Bible tells us without a doubt, profanity is comparable to malice and slander, should never be repeated, and contradicts blessing—a principal act of Christ’s followers.
Colossians 3:8 “But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth.”
The Catechism doesn’t explicitly list every vulgar word or swear term as a sin, but, following the Second Commandment, it majorly does condemn the misuse of God’s Name (which also means that of Jesus) and language that is disrespectful, abusive, or intended to scandalize others and encourages (2520) purity of heart and modesty in expression, which includes speech.
The Virgin Mary (whose very countenance is that of purity) has not given direct teachings on “profane” and vulgar language in the way Scripture or formal Church teachings might, but numerous Marian apparitions—especially approved or widely regarded ones—have strongly warned against impure, irreverent, or blasphemous speech. Here are notable instances and themes:
1. Our Lady of La Salette (France, 1846)
The Virgin Mary lamented:
“Those who drive the carts cannot speak without putting the Name of My Son in the middle… These are the two things which make the arm of my Son so heavy.”
This refers to blasphemy and working on Sundays, which she said were causing Divine punishment. She emphasized how grievously God is offended when people use His name in vain or in vulgar contexts.
2. Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal, 1917)
Approved by the Church
Though she didn’t mention profanity directly, the Virgin called for reparation for sins, especially against God and the Immaculate Heart. Blasphemy, irreverence, and careless use of holy things (including language) are commonly understood to be included in these sins.
Lucia, the primary seer, later described the Virgin’s call for the faithful to “stop offending God,” which many theologians interpret to include profanity, swearing, and blasphemous talk.
3. Our Lady of Medjugorje (Ongoing, not formally approved)
In messages attributed to the Virgin Mary, there have been frequent calls for purity of heart and speech. For example:
“Dear children, let your speech be prayer. Let everything you do and say be guided by love.” (June 2, 2013)