Scripture and the Church

ACCC 2022 Resolution on Profane and Blasphemous Euphemisms

"Let's Go Brandon" is just one example of a widespread problem, even among Christians.

From the TeachingtheWord Bible Knowledgebase

Editor's Note: The 81st Annual Convention of the American Council of Christian Churches met in Carlisle, Pennsylvania from October 25-27, 2022. The convention approved several resolutions on critical issues confronting Christians and the church in our time, including the one below. We present it for the edification and encouragement of God's people. - Dr. Paul Elliott [3]

American Council of Christian Churches
81st Convention, October 25-27, 2022
Faith Chapel, Carlisle, PA
Resolution on Profane and Blasphemous Euphemisms

The phrase "Let's Go Brandon" was birthed on October 2, 2021, at Talladega Motor Speedway when driver Brandon Brown won the Sparks 300. Although the crowd was yelling a vulgar chant against President Joe Biden, NBC reporter Kelli Stavast told viewers that Brown's fans were cheering, "Let's go Brandon."[1] From that day on, Biden's critics began repeating this slogan in the place of the crude words. Bumper stickers, tee shirts, flags, and other paraphernalia appeared with these words emblazoned on them. Even students emolled at the evangelical Liberty University began chanting the expression at a home football game the following week.[2]

"Let's Go Brandon" is a euphemism. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a euphemism is "the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant."[3] Professing Christians who are uncomfortable uttering inappropriate words or phrases are increasingly comfortable with using substitutes for them. These words are expressed more frequently among those who associate themselves with Christ.[4]

Many who claim to follow Christ also use euphemisms in their sincere desire to keep from violating the Third Commandment: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain." Instead of flagrantly taking God's name in vain, they utilize milder words.[5] A good dictionary will reveal that each of these words, and many others, are slang references to deity.

Ephesians 4:29 instructs, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Corrupt refers to something that is putrid or rotten. It smells or tastes disgusting like rotting meat or produce. Edifying, on the other hand, means to build up or improve. As Christians speak and write, God calls on them to inspire others toward godliness rather than to set a bad example.

Ephesians 5:4 encourages "neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." Colossians 3:8-10 likewise commands us to "put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." Furthermore, Colossians 4:6 exhorts, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Therefore, the American Council of Christian Churches at its 81st annual convention, October 25-27, 2022, at Faith Chapel, Carlisle, PA, resolves that the use of "sanitized" words or phrases to communicate vulgar or blasphemous concepts is sinful. We exhort Christians to avoid using such euphemisms and to actively encourage other believers to do the same.

 

References:

1. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nascar/news/lets-go-brandon-nascar-interview-anti-joe-biden/rqxuo9rdmr1091zoimp2jevo

2. https://dailycaller.com/2021/10/11/liberty-students-lets-go-brandon-chant-video/

3. www.merriam-webster.com

4. Such as "darn," "heck," and "freakin".

5. Such as "gosh," "golly," "gee," "geez," "doggone," "dadgum," "lordy," "lawd," or "lawdy."

6. Dr. Elliott is a member of the ACCC's Executive Committee.

 

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