Profanity vs. Vulgarity

Now by the title, one may think that I’m contrasting and comparing a thing against itself or that this is distinction without difference. But let me first define my terms:

profanity |prəˈfanətē; prō-|
blasphemous or obscene language : an outburst of profanity.
• a swear word; an oath.
irreligious or irreverent behavior.

vulgar |ˈvəlgər|
lacking sophistication or good taste; unrefined : the vulgar trappings of wealth.
• making explicit and offensive reference to sex or bodily functions; coarse and rude : a vulgar joke.
• dated: characteristic of or belonging to the masses.

In essence, profanity is devaluing, or treating irreverently something which is holy. This is forbidden by the third commandment: you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, (literally, ‘lift up the name of the Lord for nothing’ or contemporarily, ‘use the name of the Lord frivolously [or thoughtlessly or flippantly]’). Now this command proscribes the casual use of the name while expressing frustration or surprise. Profanity also includes the thoughtless nigh reflexive damning of things such as the hammer which failed to connect with the nail and quite squarely connected with your thumb. If we believe God has the power to kill and quicken, to save and destroy, then invoking curses on trivial items and situations calling God to damn them reflects a lack of care at best and a desire to manipulate God at worst. (Now this is not to say that there are not situations when curses are appropriate [and is thus not profane]: when Simon attempted simony Peter rebuked him with, ‘May your silver perish with you.’ Likewise Paul states that if anyone preaches another gospel, ‘let him be accursed/anathema.’) Also common is the practice of disparaging one’s fellow man (or woman) especially brothers and sisters in the church. In creation God created man and woman with his own image, and though this was disfigured in the Fall, it was not effaced. To revile a person is too do such to God in effigy. How much more heinous if we profane God by despising our brothers and sisters in whom the image of God is being reformed.

Vulgarity is essentially coarseness. Previously, it was referred to as ‘strong language’. Many of the terms are from Anglo-Saxon roots which express strong feelings when uttered. This, however argues that they should be used sparingly and carefully. To keep the power of vulgar words they should not be used often, but only when the situation requires. (Consider the example of arse/ass; the word is now so common it can no longer be considered vulgar.) However, when the situation requires, express yourself with vulgarity. Luther is quoted as saying, ‘I know that without God’s grace there is nothing good in me, and that I am as much a piece of useless stinking shit as anyone else, if not more,’ which references the Apostle Paul’s ‘Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung [the word here is σκυβαλα or shit], that I may win Christ.’ [Phil 3.8 KJV]