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Recent reviews have stirred a discussion about profanity in the lyrics of artists who profess to be Christian. We received many responses from readers, expressing a wide and thoughtful range of opinions on the subject. A sampling:

I'm not offended by most words, but following the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, I try to constrain myself according to the weakness in others. It's more important that I win them to Christ than I display my contemporary linguistic skills.I wonder if it isn't time the church reclaims some of our sensitivity to the lost and loses our self-indulgent practices … I know I need to.
Bob Hensley

Depends on the culture. I am from the U.S., but live in Australia. The words "ass" and "damn" are a regular part of most Aussies' vocabularies, even in Christian circles. As a longtime admirer of Bruce Cockburn, I have live recordings with tunes where he even "cracks the f-whip" so to speak. I am not comfortable with that as far as my vocabulary goes, but I also don't write songs that make political statements. I think the issue is that he takes off his mask and says what's really in his heart, and sometimes he is utterly torn up—and I can forgive him for that. Maybe we all need to take our masks off more often.
Ty Stakes

As someone who has been involved in the professionalmusical community formore than 20 years, I would say Bruce Cockburn is nota committed believer, nor would Iputhim the category of "Christian artist." He's more of a "wounded warrior," asecular folkartist that has dabbled in Christian music with some ofhis tunes. IfBruce were a practicing Christian, he wouldnot be usingprofanity in his songsor in his concerts despite his opinions about the current political climate in the U.S. As a worship leader and committed musician and believer, Iwill not allow any of this "New Age messaging in music" to be in my home or CCM collection.
W. Ian Walker

I've always wondered how the equivalent of Jesus calling the Pharisees "white-washed tombs" and "vipers" would translate into our modern day language. I'm not speaking literally of course, but more in terms of cultural impact. Was Christ committing a huge
faux pas? You would think so, given the reaction of the Pharisees. They missed his message and wanted to kill him. I wonder how many of my fellow Christian readers visiting this website are just as quick to crucify Bruce Cockburn for his rather salty language, all the while missing the important message in his music.
Gary D. Kersey

Thanks for a very thoughtful review of Bruce Cockburn's new CD Life Short Call Now.

I especially appreciate your engagement of Cockburn's work in its total context, and your honesty about the sometimes troubling aspects he brings to the fore. For a Christian listener, he is a challenge—and that's a good thing, I think.
Bill Burns

You've covered Christian artists who've gone through divorce, have been addict to drugs, and lots of stuff that sometimes is known and more often not known. What should be the response to sin in the life of other believers? Should we ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist, perhaps even pretend like it is irrelevant? Should those practicing immorality in their lives be financially rewarded for their behavior? Of course, if we wait to listen only to perfect role models, we may end up waiting a long time.
Larry Virden

Although I believe many of us drop an ugly word now and again, I feel the real issue with profanity in music is how unbelieverswill be affected. My favorite recent song has been "My Jesus" by Todd Agnew, whose use of the word "sluts" speaks to the [raw, transforming power] God has to change any of us who think we [are beyond redemption]. But also, my husband is a partial-believer, constantly looking for something to be "unholy" in Christian artists, so I haven't let him near that song. He heard a member of Third Day use "screwed up" on a DVD and went semi-ballistic! I guess when releasing material labeled as Christian, less is more. Forget "artistic freedom," because we are expected to die to ourselves and glorify the Lord in whatever we do.
Allison Ellis

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