I broach the subject because I just read a Christian blog containing the "f-word" and I'm not talking about fundamentalism.
I admit to be shocked, and just a tad offended.
Now, I'm never -- ever -- offended if someone who I know to be a non-believer chooses to use vulgarities (which I differentiate from profanities, GD, JC, OMG, etc. -- which offend me regardless of who says them [but particularly when Christians say them]).
Being the big giant dork that I am when it comes to language, I understand that language is arbitrary and symbolic and value only exists when a community establishes a value in a given word. I think this is why vulgarities (words considered vulgar in our community) don't tend to offend me unless someone who I suppose to share that perception of vulgarity surprises me by casually using it. The profanity (root::profane) tends to be more offensive because of its increased likelihood of universal value.
My life B.C. was filled with both vulgarities and profanities. Kelli never once griped at me for the vulgarities, but made it clear she had no tolerance for the profanities (although she didn't use these terms since she, unlike myself, is not a big giant dork about language). When the Lord saved me, He radically took control of my tongue. Now, I believe the use of vulgarities (and to a much greater degree, profanities) is an indication of two issues:
1. an inability to creatively express onesself, using the full complement of the beautiful language God has given us. The "rhymes with kerplunk" word is banal, insipid, mundane, gutteral and unoriginal. And if you'd give me more time to consult my thesaurus, I'd provide additional descriptors.
2. a deeper spiritual problem. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matt. 12:34)
I'm nobody's Holy Spirit. Who am I to tell someone else what to say or how to say it? as for me....Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (psalm 19:14)