The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-07-12
FIGHT AGAINST PROFANITY


paign is being waged by the Holy
irrespective of whether or not pro-
family and vulgar language. The
churches can and should be the
leadera but the movement should
enroll all thinking men and women,
irrespective whether or not pro-
family offends as a violation of the
things they hold sacred. There is
more than religious and moral
question involved; there is matter
Of ordinary common sense. Bias
phsmy is seldom deliberately uttered
IS such; it is merely a habit, and
g vulgar one. much like that of
splitting on sidewalks The man who
spts does not intend to menace
health: neither has he in his mind
any intention to nauseate those about
him. He has allowed himself to be-
eome possessed of a disgusting and
senseless habit, and so it is in most
cases with the man who swears.
The very origin of profanity. which
properly speaking. Is the use of sa-
syed names for unholy purposes. and
sometimes apart from the vulgar and
exou.Abie. shows that its use today
h the result of habit. and that there
is nothing approaching com m N
sense in persistence in the habit. In
ssyly times men took great VOWS, us
ing sacred names to prove their sin
certify Promises were made to the
Deity, aud the use of His name was
bond that the VOWS made would
be fulflled. The thoughtleSs imita-
ted, without realizing what the words
they were using really mean.
Today the average man who ~ % re
psss the forbidden words simply as
calculations and without any intent
at blasphemy Any other words
would have served his purpose as
well, only that, through long usage,
he has come to regard certain pro-
fame words as the most forceful and
appropriate in his vocabulary. The
man who says help generally means
nothing more than the girl who says
heck" but the one remains profan-
ity, while the other is merely a silly
and useless expression.
1t is the favorte argument OF men
who swear that profanity acts as a
safety valve. Any other exclamation
would serve the same purpose. A
stamp of the foot or shrug r the
shoulder is the physical expression
of that which the voice represents
by these calculations. The continual
use of profane words shows a psucity
Of expression and a vacuity of mind,
The person who can think Of nothing
to say but some word he has pick ID
up by hearing it said over and over
again under similar circumstances
can hardly command respect for his
mental faculties. aside from the ques-
ton OF the moral or religious Of
Tense of the exclamation used
Indecent language, as distinguish
Ell from profanity, can show but
one or two things: Either degen-
crate mind, or degenerate surround
iugs. Doubtless there are those
who use words unrt to be spat into
slime because of the influences OF
their environment and without think
ing M the vleness behind their ey-
pressions. These as well as the man
who uses religious names through
habit and without thought as to why
they are profane. can be reached by
such cam ign as that insugursted
ny the Holy Name society, and ii
should not he barren of results
If the folly and senselessness Of
profanity, as we'll as its offensive
characte could be brought home ia
many Of those addicted TO it. re-
spect for their own common sense