Bob Beckel–Christians Don’t Talk That Way On or Off the Air!

Every Wednesday I post one of my past columns that I hope will be interesting, informative, if not inspirational. The following column was published early this year:

Recently I was watching Hannity on Fox while speaking in Tucson and spending time with long-time friends. Bob Beckel, thinking the show was on a commercial break, used the F word. Hannity suggested that he apologize; however, he refused, saying incorrectly that they were not on the air. (As if that mattered!) The panel assured him that the vulgar word was heard by the nation-wide audience. Beckel humbly, although reluctantly, apologized. There is a difference in an apology, even a sincere one, and repentance.

Beckel then blamed Hannity for not steering the show correctly thereby relieving himself of blame! What he and almost all media personalities don’t understand is that the word should never be used. Christians should never use the word and should confess it as sin if they do. A lame apology will not do. Beckel claims to be a Christian but only he and God know for sure. The fact is: he used a foul, wicked word that is used by uncouth, unthinking, uncaring, uneducated people.

Even non-Christians should not use that and other vulgar words. A few years ago, even the most rude, crude, and lewd men did not use such words in decent company especially in the presence of women. Now, even women are using the term. Yes, the times, they are a-changin’! For the worst.

Listen to teens and you will hear the F word and many other vulgar words used repeatedly in a few sentences! Of course, they hear it at school, home, on recordings, and on television. Even some Christian preteens use cr*p, fa*t, frik*n’, etc., as if they are acceptable. Parents and pastors are failing, and some evangelical pastors are known for their cursing!

My critics will accuse me of living in a religious bubble and that has been generally true for most of my adult life. However, that does not mean that I have no exposure to the real world with all its corruption. After all, I have traveled worldwide, shopped, dealt with businessmen, was a life insurance salesman, served in the Indiana House of Representatives (where I reprimanded the cursing wife of a judge in front of him and their legislative friends), and appeared on hundreds of television and radio talk shows where I was called many vulgar words that I had no idea of their meaning! So my “bubble” has not meant total seclusion.

All my close friends and associates are very kind, educated, cultured, refined, urbane, sensitive people who eschew “gosh,” “heck,” “darn,” although we do lose control at times and utter “cool” or “neat.” Gasp! Maybe we say “cool” to appear cool in the eyes of others! I am not suggesting that people who use four letter words are living in the depths of depravity, although I am saying that such words are unnecessary, uncouth and a poor example to others, especially the young.

Christ told us to say what we mean when He said, “But let your communications be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” That command could call into question the use of innocent words such as “hip,” “cool,” and “neat.” Someone will ask, “Then what are we expected to say?” Well, how about saying, “That is excellent,” or “I like that,” or the like.

Most people, who use the F word, including Bob Beckel, don’t know what it stands for. Yes, they know what it means but not the etymology. While there are differences of opinion in the background of the word, couples guilty of fornication during colonial times were placed in public stocks with the F word written on the wood stocks. The word stood for “For Unnatural Carnal Knowledge” and was used because there was not space on the stocks to spell out their offense.

Others tell us it meant Fornication Under Consent of the King, whereby he gave permission for married people to participate in sex. Still others suggest that it stood for the king’s permission to diplomats travelling on long journeys so they could stop at any home and have sex with the eldest unmarried woman.

Obviously, whatever the actual historical derivation, the foundation was sex and it has usually been considered a vulgar word. As such, it should never be part of anyone’s speech, especially that of a Christian.

Whatever we say should be unambiguous and not be embarrassing or an insult to others who believe their yea should be yea and their nay should be nay. Vulgar (ever non- vulgar) curse words are never acceptable by civil, cultured, and Christian people.

The Apostle Paul commanded us in Colossians 3:8 “Put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communications out of your mouth.” He also said, “Evil communications corrupt good manners.” Swearing results in a coarsening of society. Are you listening, Bob?

If Bob’s momma is alive, maybe she could help him by washing out his mouth with soap! That worked for thousands of us. How about it, Bob?

EVOLUTION

Fact, Fraud or Faith?

by Don Boys, Ph.D.

Only an uninformed fanatic says that evolution or creation can be proved scientifically. Christians believe in creationism because we believe in the veracity of the Bible but we also have scientific evidence to support our position. In every debate I’ve had with evolutionary scientists, the arrogant, asinine accusation is made, “Well, evolution is scientific while creationism is religion.” Evolution is about as scientific as a voodoo rooster plucking ceremony in Haiti. Almost.

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