Podcast Summary: "When Crude Language Becomes Sinful"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- Host: Ascension
- Episode: When Crude Language Becomes Sinful
- Release Date: March 13, 2025
- Description: Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.
1. Introduction to the Topic
Fr. Mike Schmitz opens the episode by addressing the common use of mild profanity and its implications within the framework of Catholic teachings. He references his previous discussion on the Second Commandment to set the stage for exploring how seemingly innocuous language can intersect with sin.
Notable Quote:
"Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz and this is Ascension presents."
(00:00)
2. Understanding the Second Commandment
Fr. Mike provides a recap of the Second Commandment: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." He elaborates on what constitutes taking God’s name in vain, emphasizing that it includes not only direct oaths but also the casual use of sacred names in exclamations.
Notable Quotes:
"We're called not to take the Lord's name in vain. That means taking the name of Jesus in vain."
(00:30)
"Sometimes people say, well, I didn't take God's name in vain. I said it, but I didn't mean it like that's what in vain means."
(02:15)
3. The Nature of Swear Words
The discussion transitions to societal perceptions of swear words that do not directly reference sacred entities. Fr. Mike acknowledges that many of these "cuss words" are arbitrary and socially constructed, varying significantly across cultures and languages.
Notable Quote:
"The words that are cuss words are kind of arbitrary. Those are more like social mores rather than this."
(04:20)
He cites Trent Horn's video to support his view that profanity often lacks inherent moral weight and is more about societal norms.
4. Cultural Differences in Language Use
Fr. Mike shares an anecdote about Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) highlighting how certain words deemed inappropriate in one culture may be acceptable in another. This underscores the subjective nature of what is considered profane.
Notable Quote:
"I was watching the kids from Harry Potter... he was laughing at the fact that when he's in America, he can say a word here among kids that in England would be considered like, oh no, you don't say that word among kids."
(06:45)
5. The Sacredness of Certain Topics
The conversation shifts to topics that retain their sacredness despite the use of profanity. Fr. Mike stresses that language related to sacred or holy subjects, such as sexual acts, should not be trivialized through crude language.
Notable Quote:
"If the swear word has something to do with like sacred things... we don't want to strip things down, especially things that are good, things that are... Beautiful, potentially holy."
(09:10)
6. The Impact of Language on Others
Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of considering the impact of one’s language on those around them, especially in shared spaces or around families and children. He argues that employing crude language in public is unkind and does not reflect an act of love.
Notable Quote:
"There's something about just sound pollution... if there's some crass language that isn't a violation of anything that's sacred... but you just say that in private conversation... in a shared space, I think it's worth considering in love."
(12:30)
7. Minced Oaths: Definitions and Implications
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on minced oaths—substituted mild expressions used to avoid offending or violating sacred names. Fr. Mike differentiates between using minced oaths to respectfully avoid God's name versus using them to covertly introduce profanity.
Notable Quotes:
"A minced oath is when you take the name of God and don't say the name of God anymore but you say something else... oh, my gosh, gosh darn."
(15:00)
"If you're using this minced oath to avoid God's name, I would say go for it. If you're using this to make it sound like you're blaspheming without blaspheming... then I'd say, stop it."
(18:45)
8. Honoring Sacred Language
Fr. Mike encourages the use of language that honors sacred names and concepts. He suggests that even when using substitutes, the intent should be to maintain reverence rather than to disguise disrespect.
Notable Quote:
"These are all things that originally come from God or Jesus... as long as you're saying that minced oath to avoid God's name, I would say go for it."
(20:15)
9. Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Concluding the episode, Fr. Mike reflects on the importance of intentional language use as a reflection of one’s heart and spiritual state. He encourages listeners to be mindful of their words, advocating for kindness and respect in all forms of communication.
Notable Quote:
"But when there's a shared space, I think it's worth considering in love, the fact that there are other people around."
(22:30)
"I hope that made sense... God bless. Oh, my goodness."
(24:00)
Conclusion
In "When Crude Language Becomes Sinful," Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the nuanced relationship between everyday language and Catholic teachings on reverence and sin. By dissecting the use of profanity, minced oaths, and the sacredness of certain subjects, he offers listeners a thoughtful examination of how words reflect and impact one's spiritual life and community interactions. The episode serves as a compelling guide for Catholics seeking to align their speech with their faith values, emphasizing love, respect, and intentionality in every conversation.