If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

Banning words aren’t really my thing because I do believe in the right to freedom of speech, even if I disagree or dislike what you have to say. However, there are a few words that make me cringe when I hear them, and if I could ban just one, I do suppose this would be it:

The profanity of using God’s name in vain. I’ll not type it here because I dislike it that much. But what I will say is my God’s last name isn’t damn. It seems this word can be thrown around like candy and used anyway anyone likes, and no one is supposed to say anything about it or be the slightest bit offended by it.

Yet, it’s always so interesting to me to think of how other spiritual or religious believers would react if their god’s name was used in vain…

You’d never hear anyone say Buddha —, or Ala —-, or any other god followed by this common curse word. But I guarantee if someone were to use this type of slang with those, someone would speak up and speak up loudly.

So, why should Christians be the ones to simply suck it up and deal with that? Why should Christians alone be silenced by fear or guilt when they choose to speak out?

Because we’ve tolerated it. We’ve allowed it, enabled it, and even abused it ourselves at times. So, why should anyone listen when we say, “Stop it!”

Maybe we should begin with respect. Respecting the God we serve first before we demand it of others. Maybe we should begin with reverence and appreciation for the God, who is our Creator, and then, we might be able to expect if from someone else. Maybe we should repent of our abuse and of our silence and learn to speak up before we try to tell someone else to be quiet.

May our words ring with Truth, integrity, and dignity.

And then, maybe our adjustments and proclamations might be a bit more contagious…

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:3-5