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[bibleguy]

Sorry Bibleguy but I was taught the same thing but we were taught WRONG! Words do hurt and it has nothing to do with backbone etc. To say words do not hurt is to say it is never wrong to verbally offend someone.

I will have to disagree with you here. Surely, sometimes words are intended to hurt, but Eleanor Roosevelt put the "names will never hurt me" line into better clarity. She said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Being hurt is not about what is said to or about you. Being hurt is about how you react. If you're selling girl scout cookies door-to-door and someone says "no thank you," you could potentially be hurt by that, thinking that all should like the cookies, or at least desire to support the scouts. Or you could just move on to the next house, and not give it a second thought.

When kids used to make fun of me is school, I laughed "with them." They were disarmed and confused. When they called my mother names, I knew that they didn't even know my mother.

I took a lot of heat for sharing the Bible in almost every conversation, and was once asked, "Can't you give an answer that doesn't come from the Bible?" I replied, "But the Bible has all the answers." So I was persona-non-grata, most of the time, but my "I'm rubber you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you" attitude ended up earning their respect.

Instead of walking around offended all the time, and hurt (although there were a couple of times early on, before I grew my duck's back), I was always happy. I earned the nickname "smiley," and was eventually elected junior class president.

Today, we (any "minority" group: be it religious, ethnic, disabled, etc.) want to get Congress to defend us with legislation against activity that we might find offensive. As though the Constitution somehow guaranteed us the right to not be offended. I didn't read it there.

When we succomb to the idea the "words hurt," then we can outlaw speech, something that is most certainly protected by the Constitution.

The best way keep from being offended? Don't take offense. And if we want to raise a society addicted to therapy, we'll reject the wisdom of our forefathers, and never teach our kids that "words can never hurt them" "without their consent."

[TW]

bibleguy,

From the general tone of your post it would seem that you feel that is perfectly fine to make derogatory remarks about people because "words can never hurt you." According to your logic it is therefore acceptable to call any dark skinned person a "nigger," to call a person with a spastic neurological disorder a "spaz," a person with a low IQ a "tard," a person with a physical defect a "gimp." The truth is that words can be very hurtful. Yes, I have been blunt with my response, but only because your flippant post demanded it. While it is true that there is no Constitutional guarantee against being offended, one must remember that compassion cannot be legislated. Compassion comes from a moral grounding, such as should be seen in Christians. Your post would indicate a lack of this on your part. God calls us to love our fellow man, a great part of that love is to have compassion on those that are in born into situations over which they have no control. That compassion would not only prevent you from making offensive remarks, but also raise up a desire to defend those about whom such remarks are made. President Obama's remark was offensive, there is no way to dance around it, particularly coming from the most visible man in the country. The President, because of his position, should be held to the highest standard. His remark was offensive, and that you fail to show even the slightest degree of indignation makes me question your claim to be a follower of Christ. Your repertoire of trite childish sayings are of little use in the adult world.


TW

[bibleguy]

Is it more compassionate to further the victim mentality in people, or to instill in them a sense of inherent value that cannot be diminished by the rhetoric of the ignorant.

I was not belittled by foolish "peers" because I was taught that I was precious in the sight of God.

I appreciate your frankness, TW, but compassion is not defined by political correctness. You may feel I lack compassion because I will not turn to someone who is verbally slandered and say, "You're right. You're a victim. No one should talk to you like that because you are not able to bear it." I see it differently. No, their words cannot take away what you are, and how you are valued. Ignore the moron... You are precious in God's eyes and in mine.

[Full Quiver]

Tell your kid they are a worthless piece of crap and see if it doesn't hurt them for years to come.

[bibleguy]

Tell your kid they are a worthless piece of crap and see if it doesn't hurt them for years to come.

Dude, what I am saying is to teach your kids to ignore idiots who call them worthless pieces of crap!!!

“Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear? But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.” (Psalm 59:5-9)

[Full Quiver]

God does laugh at them but words do hurt.

I understand what you are saying but if you told your kid what I suggested then it would crush them and therefore my point is proven.

[RamboPreacher]

Dude, what I am saying is to teach your kids to ignore idiots who call them worthless pieces of crap!!!...

good sentiment, but isn't this about our president that was making fun of people that may not be able to grasp what you are saying? There are some very functional people in the Special Olympics. even some friends and family. They are special. I may have to tell the little boy that won the silver in Iowa basketball skills to come over and talk to me every time I see him, so he doesn't yell across the church. And you know what - for those hours or a day at church he remembers. but the next week, have to tell him again.

Sorry, but your paradigm on this topic has a specific set of people that can use it, and because of the context and topic of what this thread has turned into, you seemed to have forgotten or missed that.

Am I personally offended at what he said - let me rephrase so that it is a bit clearer. no, I am personally not offended - I do not take it personally. But I am offended at it for my friends and family who do take it personally and are offended at a very deep, and personal level, some will never forget it, others have already forgotten. but it matters not. Our presidents heart has been shown/exposed. it is what it is.

[bibleguy]

God does laugh at them but words do hurt.

I understand what you are saying but if you told your kid what I suggested then it would crush them and therefore my point is proven.

And thus we witness the kind of rhetoric that will silence the masses. If we ban certain speech because someone gets offended, or because we assume someone will get offended (Obama called and apologized for his words before anyone even voiced their offence), then all speech will be stifled because someone will perceive an offense in anything.

You didn't like "Sticks & Stones..." You didn't like "I'm rubber you're glue..." You didn't like "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." You probably don't like "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Jews were offended when the Southern Baptist Convention promoted praying for their redemption. Homosexuals are offended by the idea that their lifestyle is perverted, sinful and able to changed by the power of the blood of Jesus.

If we allow ourselves to succomb to the political correctness mentality today, we will be the targets of it tomorrow, for "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity."

[Full Quiver]

I'm talking about words and comments that are meant to hurt.

[bibleguy]

Obviously, but what you intend for one purpose sets a precedent for others to use it as well. You cannot define it well enough to prevent others from using the same argument against those for whom you never would have imagined. That's the problem.

[Dr. Ron]

BG,

TW has tried to help you understand how your premise is flawed.

I was called every thing under the sun by my peers and the people I dedicated my life to.

I have been called more names than you can count. I agree that as a mature Christian, I cannot let that define who I am. I am not a victim of anything but their utter stupidity.

I am talking about the abuse of those who can not defend themselves. My grand-daughter is not a victim.....she is a beautiful child who loves life and enjoys activity. She does not deserve to be in any way vilified by a so called "intelligent " person....especially the President.

I am offended for her....but certainly disappointed( or my position on him is validated) in the President of the Us.

[rjjunior]

I can understand how offense can be taken. It was...well...offensive. I find Obama's positions/comments offensive in many ways, which is why it was probably more offensive to some of us, which is, in part, my point. Anyhow...