Laura70 wrote:I personally think that swearing is only bad by its connotation, but by the words itself, I don't think so. Our society only labeled it as "bad".
I think you've hit the nail on the head, so to speak.
The 'badness' of a word or phrase is meant to shock, insult, infuriate, or to express pain and frustration. Such useage is implicitly social.
For example, in England 'knocked up' means that someone is beating on your front door. In America, it's a physical term for pregnancy. Although not really a swear word, the useage is entirely cultural and a good example of your post.
Swear words do not necessarily extrapolate to blaspheme, especially when so few understand the meaning of this ancient Hebrew term. When used in the context of involking the response of a diety it is limited to the Judeo-Christian culture. The "F" word is not blaspheme, while G**D**n is.
Does blaspheme have any power or meaning other than it's cultural impact? That's a subject for real debate. Does one ever hear blaspheme of a mythical diety? Does one ever hear, for example, the phrase "JupiterDamn" or "Ares"(*) when one smashes one's finger with a hammer?
The idea that blaspheme can involk metaphysical reaction in the physical world is purely cultural as is the words and phrases that are just plain "dirty".
(*) Greek god of war or violence.
