by Keith Sharp
“Vulgarity draws ban on calling up Cotton.” So went the headline of a recent “Arkansas Democrat Gazette” article. A female critic of Senator Tom Cotton admittedly used obscene language when speaking on the phone to one of the senator’s staff. Senator Cotton’s office sent her a letter telling her not to communicate with his office anymore.
Not only did the woman admit using the vulgar language, she defended herself for using it and criticized the senator for forbidding her future communication. “‘Have I used expletives? Yes,’ Lane said. ‘I like to think I use them appropriately and to get people’s attention.’”
Another Cotton critic, a man, admitted using similar language with the Cotton staff with the same results.
Is there an appropriate use for vulgar language?
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks (Ephesians 5:3-4).
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12:34-37).
My grandmother used a bar of her homemade lye soap to wash out the mouth of any child who used bad language in her house. We need a lot of lye soap today.
No, there is no appropriate use for vulgar language.
