The use of certain language, specifically phrases related to God and condemnation, drew consternation from the McMinn County Board of Education last month when members voted unanimously to remove Art Spiegelman’s award-winning graphic novel “Maus” from its curriculum.
The board cited the use of profane language and nudity in the Pulitzer Prize-winning book as reasons for its decision.
In most Christian communities, and especially among more conservative Christians, using God’s name in condemnation is considered religious profanity.
Such phrases violate the biblical mandate to not use God’s name in vain, a violation of one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. In the Bible, the directive comes from Exodus 20:7, which reads, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” That can mean using the language of God in instances that are meaningless or trivial.
The idea of damnation also has serious eternal implications in Christianity. Calling upon God to damn someone or something is believed to trivialize the deeply important work of God and moving the decision-making authority of eternal life to the human rather than God.