Is swearing a moral issue? In the past, we were taught that invoking “the Holy Name” blasphemously was indeed an offence. But there are so many expressions of “Christ!” and “Jesus Christ!” in the public realm these days that it passes almost unnoticed. Christians are told it’s prissy to fuss and that there are bigger issues at stake.
Swearing in all its manifestations has clearly become more widespread – and, it seems, more acceptable. The comedian Jo Brand was criticised last week for using the f-word in connection with the Queen, but it’s water off a duck’s back. Every television drama now has a full complement of effing and blinding – take a look at The Dublin Murders on BBC One, where the cursing is particularly egregious.
