By Janice Six

We used to call it the “F word” and it was a no-no in polite society. A few years ago, I started hearing people refer to it as the “F bomb” and it was being said aloud in public—and not just by rebellious teens. Now, I  turn off podcasts when my grandchild gets in the car because of the common use of this word that was once considered the worst-of-the worst “bad words.” Please note, the podcasts I’m listening to are either political, religious, or educational in nature, yet this word often peppers the conversation. If you’re thinking, “What a fuddy-duddy,”—a pejorative term that’s probably now considered quaint—this judgement of me might be further evidence of just how low the bar has slipped when it comes to what we expect from one another as a society.   

Another sign of the slippage is our willingness to ignore and excuse crude remarks by public figures in positions once revered. Why are we no longer outraged by derogatory and demeaning language? Why are we now willing to disregard illegal activity when it comes to the candidates we consider for positions of authority? Since when have we accepted that the end justifies the means? “Whatever it takes,” and “just this once,” are reasonable rationale used by supporters of those who break laws and norms in pursuit of their goals.

I also wonder if our dismissive attitude of what was once considered obscene or at least “poor taste,” is now feeding some people’s insatiable appetite for power and popularity. The proverbial line in the sand has been crossed and redrawn so many times that there doesn’t seem to be any boundary too sacred or respected to not be broken. I wonder if the permissiveness surrounding the use of foul language and questionable behavior is one more tell-tale sign of the erosion of our societal integrity. What will it take for “enough is enough” to become the outcry of our society?

Janice Six is a retired minister at First Central Presbyterian Church and the author of two books.