What the Hell is Cursing?

I know that I usually post on sex and how the church has gotten it all wrong. However, sex isn't the only thing that religion has screwed up on.
In this article, the poster gives some interesting things to think about. We all know that words like "hell," "damn," "bitch," "cunt," etc. are all words that we shouldn't say because it's a sin, right? After all, it says in Eph 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (NIV). God said it, that settles it, right? As usual, it's helpful to see the intent of the original writer. Who was the writer that penned these words? No, besides "God." Paul the Apostle. He also wrote something in his letter to the Christians at Philippi: "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ". There's an interesting word there translated into English as "garbage." In other more accurate translations, it says "rubbish," "trash," "dung." All these don't quite hit the very strong, very vulgar term that he chose to use: skubala (σκύβαλα). It is the most vulgar term used for human and animal excrement in the Greek. Do you know what our modern English vernacular would be? Shit. That's right. The same guy that wrote, "let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths" also included the word we know as "shit" in the text that made it into the Bible. Here's another article talking about the same thing. I think he included it to catch his reader's attention. I don't believe someone should "curse" or "swear" all the time. It's all depends on context. You can seriously tear someone down without saying one single "bad word." People do it all the time. Cults specialize in doing so in "breaking sessions." Words hurt and they don't have to be on a list like the Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television.

A fun little vid on the topic:



And another one by our friend, Martin:



Question for the reader: What are your thoughts on "cursing?" Do you curse? Tell me in the comments.