Offensive Language in Novels
 

So what's your opinion? Is it okay for a christian author to use explicit or offensive language in their novels to illustrate a point? Are there certain situations where even a saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost saint should use profanity in novels?

If you're writing a novel or play that takes place in a setting that would in real life have characters who curse or sware a lot is it appropriate to use swearing, or should we find another way to get the point across?

Is it a sin even though you may just be trying to portray real events as realistically as possible? Has there been a thread on this before? All questions I would like anybody who can and will to answer as honestly and straightforward as they can.

Re: Offensive Language in Novels
 

One should never speak or type any of the words God has told you never to speak or type. ;)

Re: Offensive Language in Novels
 

I would think there would be a way of getting the point accross without spelling it out. It could simply be narrated. "He cursed, and proclaimed, 'Why have I become your target?' "

Re: Offensive Language in Novels
 

Best answer that could have been given!:highfive

But we'll see if someone can hit a close second...lol

Re: Offensive Language in Novels
 

I can mildly understand an artist or writer when they say "but I need to use this language or description to make it authentic!". Having said that when i watch a movie which contains little or no foul language, I have NEVER thought "it could have used some to make it more real!". In fact, it is almost always better for not having it. They still make movies like this from time to time. We just watched SALT (with Angelina Jolie) and outside of one or two bombs toward the end, there was nothing besides that needed to be bleeped out. In fact, I only noticed the bombs because they stood out so bad compared to the rest of the dialogue.

Re: Offensive Language in Novels
 

I'd avoid using it.

"As Michael sat in his vehicle waiting for the police to arive, the owner of the black Dodge pickup truck he hit was still raging. As his rage flowed like lava from the summit of an angry volcano, he spewed profanity into the air that would make a sailor blush."

Or something silly like that. lol

Re: Offensive Language in Novels
 

i am back in school studing historical preservation.I have to write papers that are authentic. Even thou my work has not gone in that direction yet.
should I write a paper on Nazi germany I would be required to write it as they wrote it. I would leave certain words out that are too offensive. There are some words that are quoted for such papers.I would soften the wording up a little.
I will deal with it when I have too.

Re: Offensive Language in Novels
 

I'm thieving that line from you.

Re: Offensive Language in Novels
 

That's different. It's a classroom assignment. If you took an art class as part of your training to be an artist you might have to paint a nude model. That's far different from going to a gentleman's club.

Re: Offensive Language in Novels
 

:D