Does the Catholic Church or any particular Catholic dioceses forbid the reading of [J. K. Rowling's](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._K._Rowling) series of books known as [Harry Potter](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter) ? This same question could be applied to the movie series based on these same books. If so what are it’s theological and moral reasons for doing so. We know that there are some Catholic schools that have forbidden these books in the libraries of some Catholic Independent Schools. However I am interested if this is the case at any diocesan level or higher? Or does the Church leave such decisions about reading these books and/or watching the movies at the discretion of the individual or even the local pastor? [Harry Potter books removed from school library because they contain 'real' curses and spells](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/harry-potter-banned-school-library-nashville-tennessee-exorcist-a9087676.html)

Many Christians (I think especially in Reformed and Fundamentalist circles though I might be mistaken) do not use the expression, "Oh my God!" to express shock or surprise due to it being perceived as a violation of the 2nd commandment. In Chinese, people sometimes use the phrase 我的天哪 or 我的天 in the same context. This phrase actually comes to Chinese by translating the English phrase, but instead of "God" the Chinese word 天 (tian) means "heaven". So 我的天哪 could literally be translated "my heaven ah!" Thus, it is not literally using the title "God" unlike the English phrase. However, I can think of two potential reasons Chinese Christians might still object to 我的天哪: 1. It is translated from a taboo English phrase. 2. Traditionally, 天 in Chinese is often used in the sense of an impersonal divine Providence, such as in the phrase "mandate of heaven" (天命) for the legitimate right of a ruler to rule. In this sense, even though 天 typically means heaven it could also be understood as a title for God. **I'm wondering if any Christians from those traditions who object to "oh my God" on grounds of the 2nd commandment have commented on the permissibility or lack thereof of 我的天哪.** To be clear, I am asking about this phrase's evaluation with regards to the 2nd commandment specifically. For a parallel example, I don't use "oh my God" personally, but not due to the 2nd commandment specifically; rather I avoid it because I see it as irreverent.

So here are the reasons I've come up with why we are commanded not to curse or swear. 1. Some curse words have vulgar and awful meanings. 2. Culturally it is seen as unprofessional, unintelligent and impolite. On the issue that some curse words have vulgar and awful meanings. I fully understand why these shouldn't be used. But most swear words do not have awful meanings. As for it being a cultural issue, I agree, you do seem less professional and intelligent. But that all depends on who you are around and how serious of a word it is. For example, using the word Heck as an adult rather than Hell in some settings can be seen a childish, unprofessional and unintelligent. Also, most adults don't find it impolite to swear when something serious has just happened. Also, why is it not ok to say a swear word, but is ok to say a replacement word that means the same exact thing and is used in the same exact situations. Just like the word crap and the the "s" word. I've been researching what swear words actually are and why society even created them and I found that the reason society has swear words is a way to convey lots of emotion. For example, the seldom times I hear my dad swear, I know he means business and what he is swearing about is serious. Also, when I was younger and in school, whenever the class was rowdy and the teacher couldn't get our attention, they would swear and the whole class would immediately be quiet. I understand that overuse of a swear word is wrong because then it defeats the purpose of being used to convey emotions. But when the alternative to swearing is raising your voice, I see swearing as useful. I'm not referring to taking the Lords name in vain or to words that have dirty meanings. I'm talking about why is it bad to occasionally use a swear word that has a perfectly appropriate definition, and to use it at times when trying to convey emotion with a group of people where they don't perceive what you said as impolite. Society created the idea of certain words being curse words. Nothing is inherently wrong with the words themselves. So when your either by yourself or your around a group of people where it is socially acceptable to use a certain curse word in a certain situation, why should you still not use it?

I know the Bible says not to let "unwholesome talk" come out of our mouths ([Ephesians 4:29](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:29&version=NIV)) , but to my knowledge it doesn't speak specifically about "bad words." In fact, to my knowledge, the English language (and especially American English) is somewhat unique in that it has words that are _always_ considered bad, in any context. In my (limited) study of other languages (which is mostly Spanish), most "bad words" are perfectly good words, used in a specifically "bad" context. Is it possible to use a "bad" word in a context that is not "unwholesome?" I have a very close (Christian) friend, and he and I occasionally use "bad" words in our conversation, but always in a joking sense. Never out of anger or malice toward the other person. Is this okay, or should we change our behavior?

Why does Paul wish for a curse on people who don't accept his teachings when we are not supposed to curse or swear? I Corinthians 16:22 "If anyone has no love for the Lord Let him be accursed." Revised Standard Version.

Why does writing words such as "hell" and "damn" trigger internet filters that insert asterisks into my writing? What is it about these words that makes them offensive to the point that people use substitutes like "heck" and "darn", sometimes in situations that sound very childish? (Double hockey sticks, anyone?) * They're used in the bible as standard words. * They're not vulgar, sexual, or disgusting like other swear words. * They're not "using the Lord's name in vain". I agree they're strong words when wielded and not nice when directed at someone ("damn you"; "go to hell"), but on what basis do Christians consider them "cussing" in casual speech ("I had a hell of a time", "my damned car won't start") when used passively? For people who are sensitive to these words, are other forms like "hellish" or "damnable" acceptable, or is it just the four-letter format? Is it less acceptable in speech than in writing? Maybe I just need to be educated about what is the actual Christian definition of cursing. **Edit:** There are 3 votes to close this and a suggestion to move it to a language site. I don't want to presume but I'm guessing it's because some are offended: Even the title has been sanitized! This is exactly what I want to understand... And I'm not asking about "certain common words": I'm specifically asking about "HELL" and "DAMN" which are Christian terms, and I thought I was clear that I'm asking about it in the sense of regular usage, not when used as curses. Is there cause for offense in these words because they *can* be used as curses or is it something inherent in them? Please believe me, I'm not trying to be confrontational, I genuinely want to understand the nature of these words in our common culture.

> **Possible Duplicate:** > [What does the Bible say about "bad" words?](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/774/what-does-the-bible-say-about-bad-words) I know that swearing and using obscenity is wrong, but I'm curious what exactly are the Scriptures that support this. Is there any Scripture that clearly states that using obscenity is wrong? or is swearing/blaspheming/obscenity wrong because it violates key values and doctrines of Christianity?