and that was for conscious effect, not the mere carelessness you seem to be describing.

in an address to a college audience, some years ago, said something like, "...thousands of children and families out there going hungry and unnoticed, and nobody gives a shit! And, more people here today will remember that I said 'shit' then the fact of the suffering that is out there."

I was there.

My former pastor (ELCA Lutheran) started by saying that he'd recieved word from the synod that the ministers shouldn't dwell on the death of the pope, and his response was essentially "fuck that shit." He then embarked on a lengthy, rambling, profanity laced tirade about the evils of Catholicism in general and JP II in particular (mostly related to AIDS, abortion, birth control, pedophilia, etc) that was shocking, offensive and 100% true. While I appreciate political activism from a church group, there is a point where it crosses an unspoken boundary and his preaching that day, while spot on, crossed the line. One of the most uncomfortable services I've ever sat through. Our church had a large homeless membership and his language was a bit saltier because of them, but his preaching on Pope John Paul II was beyond the pale.

Most Protestant churches and pastors were pretty respectful after John Paul died, but the ex-Catholics can be pretty vicious. I know since I'm one myself and was quite vicious in the past.

If you can imagine a liberal version of a hellfire and brimstone preacher, that was him. Not preaching damnation or salvation, but preaching social justice with a fire that was almost scary. The problem was he had a heart attack (which he survived) and he got kind of strangely driven, egotistical and domineering after that. My mom was assistant pastor and it just about drove her to a breakdown - my wife and I ended up leaving for a nearby Episcopalian congregation.

which includes the line:

Life's a piece of shit, when you look at it......

The sermon I wrote was on trickster gods and holy irreverence in religious traditions around the world.

I have heard both pastors swear outside of church.

but a couple of years ago, yes, it was more of a "slip of the tongue".

The main reason I don't cuss a lot is that I'm afraid I'd let loose in the pulpit, if it were a regular habit. I really do think there's a time and place for everything...and not.

who had just returned from the field. He was also a military chaplain, so it's understandable that he'd been exposed to a bit more salty language at that time.

The one other time was when I heard a pastor read a direct quote. They left out the person's name but the point being that they wanted us to realize what the thoughts of some were in our community-and they weren't pretty.

Which is why I really should preach from a manuscript.