In 2003 Emmy-ward winning actress, Patricia Heaton, did something very few would consider doing…then…or now. She walked out of the American Music Awards.
Describing the event as “an onslaught of lewd jokes and off-color remarks” made by presenters, performers, and the hosts for the evening (the Osbournes…’nuff said), which was passing for humor ranged from the stupid to vulgar so offended her, she said, “I’m not going to be part of this,” walked out, and said, “Get my car.”
She was not alone is her disgust. Ozzie bragged about being “bleeped.” He was…often. One of the performers referenced three-way sex. There were other off-color and lewd “jokes,” comments, etc. that I’m going to have the common decency to not share. She was not alone but too bad others didn’t follow her example.
When she walked on the set of Everybody Loves Raymond the next morning, she was applauded by one of the camera men. {Source: patriciaheatononline.com}
We need more Patricia Heatons! (I don’t even want to mention this past year’s AMA and what was celebrated. It is beyond words). In media. In life. It is often an assault on the ears and decency to watch anything today. I mute commercials-except an occasional St. Jude’s or T2T (both of which make my eyes leak)-but I often don’t have the remote (98% of the time). 🙂 Anyway, the other night we were watching something and Jo failed to mute the commercial and suddenly I heard a G**D*** fly out of the mouth of someone in a clip advertising some series. My words were, “Oh my. Now we get it on TV, not just the movies.”
Common decency seems to be gone these days. It is not unusual to hear women-who want respect-using the “F” bomb. The vulgarity of that word assaults my ears anyway, but to hear a “woman” use it? Nah…beyond the pale.Have we become so cold and hardened to words that we simply don’t care or don’t “hear” them any more?
It is time to clean up our language-no matter who we are-but especially if we are a follower of Jesus. I’m no prude but enough is enough!! I once had a paper with a saying on it that I used to have on my file cabinet: “Profanity is the effort of a feeble mind trying to express itself forcibly.”
Abe Lincoln is credited with saying, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” Solomon wrote a lot about the mouth in Proverbs. Here is one: “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (13:3)
As the old child song said, “Be careful little mouth what you say…”
I don’t disagree that what is considered acceptable use of words that were at one time considered offensive by the mainstream has shifted. Not only that but using other words like ladies and gentlemen can get you fired. Society continues to plunge into greater depths of relativism and as a result the moral foundation is eroding quickly. What is sad is this decay will have generational impact and it won’t be to many more generations where the divide between Christian and non Christian will be so large it will become ever increasingly difficult to cross. Christians will have to really go on recovery missions to reach the lost. It will require more than just an invite to Easter Service. People will have to see the joy and experience the love of Christ to be impacted enough to want what we possess. I have a number of friends and relatives that let the F bomb fly like any other word. They try to remember to hold there tongue when around me, but still flys frequently. Why do I hang out with them, because my hope is that one day they will see Jesus and want to be with Him. Then, perhaps He will help with the vocabulary.
I have no disagreement with you analysis Ryan. WOW! So true. And while I too have acquaintances who let words fly, including the “f” bomb, I hold my tongue hoping they will come to see a difference (as you are hoping they see in you). As chaplain for the sheriff’s department I have to take that same stance.
I SO appreciate this post this morning. My dear 80-year old Aunt Linda called me the other day, and I was brought to tears as she told me what went on during the Country Music Awards the other night. A group that I thought would never cave to the woke mob has not only caved but now promotes and even celebrates the profane. God’s Word speaks of them calling the holy profane and the profane holy. We are surely seeing those awful things come to pass, but man, it sure hurts to witness it. It is such a shock to hear the old-time country singers, who had Godly mamas and daddies, were raised in God-fearing atmospheres, grew up going to church, etc., come out in support of such debauchery. What would their parents say now? Oh, dear Lord, please help & comfort our hearts as we watch these awful things come to pass! And Jesus, please, please come back quickly! Thank you, Pastor Bill, for speaking the truth here. I am so grateful for your ministry. Shalom.
Since I’m not a CM fan and no longer watch any award shows, I can’t speak to your anguish, except to say, “I know what you are speaking of” when it comes to former stalwarts of decency and even faith, change their tune. (Pun intended). it is sad the profane is now considered normal. I’m ready for Him to come as well Cheryl. Thanks again for your encouragement.
I agree with you Bill 100%. I do not watch any award shows at all, some of the women on those shows, are having a contest to see who can wear the least. I hear vulgar language, way to much, I have even hear it from some VPs, where I work. I will correct someone if they use the Lord’s name in vain. If someone says pardon my french, after being vulgar, I will say that is not french, and I do not like your attempt at french. It is way out of hand. I try to be careful on what I watch, and what I listen to. It is really sad what is considered acceptable by so many. It really makes one sick, to see such disrespect in the culture.
I admire your boldness Gail to speak up for decency. You are right though. There is way too much disrespect.
My boys told me once that the profanity we hear on movies is nothing compared to what they heard in the public high school they attended. It’s tough for young people today. It’s tough for the rest of us, too. We definitely need to be proactive and diligent about what we allow in, so we can better control what comes out.
I’ve told several people that I don’t envy teenagers today. I had it “easy” compared to what many of them face. If they maintained their faith I admire them even more.