IN MY OPINION...

I don't know about you, but I'm offended when I watch a movie and hear the Lord's name used in vain.  It seems that you can't turn on a TV program without hearing God this, God that…."Oh my God!"  The problem is that those who are saying it are not honoring God's holy name; His name is being used as an expletive.  And that bothers me.

It also bothers me that so much profanity is used in movies and on TV, even in books.  No, I'm not a prude. I'm a Christian.  Christians are called to live by a higher moral standard, a standard set in place by God.  Unholy language bothers God and if you're a follower of Jesus Christ it should bother you too. 

If you watch network TV, be prepared: even more profanity is about to come into your home.  On their fall schedule, ABC, CBS and NBC are considering dropping many of the few remaining standards on prime time TV programs.  They plan to allow expletives and four letter words never spoken before. 

Recently Aaron Sorkin, Executive Producer/writer of the hit program "The West Wing" said in an interview with the New York Times that he plans to break even more taboos.  Soon you will hear "a character curse in a way that uses the Lord's name in vain," Sorkin told the reporter.  Obviously Mr. Sorkin does not care that this will offend people of faith. 

The other night I decided to watch a PG-13 movie on cable.  The promo said it was "a romantic comedy, beautifully written."  I'm picky about what I watch, and I admit I was a little anxious.  Very early on the Lord's name was used as an expletive, which for me is a BIG red flag.  I've learned that it's usually a sign of things to come.  So I grabbed my remote.  Click!  Good-bye Julia Roberts. 

The Lord loves those who pursue righteousness (Proverbs 15:9).  He wants His people who are called by His name to love one another, and to be compassionate and sensitive so that we might win others to Christ.  Being sensitive isn't always easy for me.  Sometimes I'm honest to a fault.  However, if I were with a Buddhist, or Muslim, or someone who's into Native American spirituality, I certainly wouldn't say, "Swear to Buddha," or "Oh Allah!" or "Great Spirit damn you!"  Why?  Because they just might be offended.  So why is it that the very people who are so concerned about offending anyone are so insensitive to people of faith? 

I mean, let's get real.  People choose the words they use.  Take for example John, my neighbor.  The other day I was in the checkout line at the hardware store, behind John.  During the conversation with the clerk I overheard him say, "For C----'s sake."  I cringed.  He turned to leave, saw me, we greeted each other, then he left.  Outside he saw my husband waiting in the car and went over to chat.  Not once during the conversation did he mention the Lord's name.  Instead he chose to say, "For cryin' out loud" because, knowing we're both  Christians, he didn't want to offend us.  Inside the hardware store it was a different story.  In other words, he chose to use Christ's name in vain.  In our presence he chose not to.

The same applies to Hollywood.  They choose to blaspheme God.  And I'm tired of it.  The time has come for God's people to take back His holy Name.

For years broadcast networks have been disregarding industry standards and challenging public decency.  And what has the FCC done about it?  Close your eyes….what do you see?  Nothing!

Write to the FCC.  Tell them that it's their job to see that decency prevails on network TV.