Christians, do you correct bad behavior in public? (Christians only!)?

Question

Like, for example, if you're at school and you hear someone cursing next to you, wouldn't you ask that person to watch thier language? What would you say? I had to do that just a minute ago, and this girl said "ma, don't talk to me." I didn't want it to get confrontational, so I left it alone. I didn't say it rude or anything, but I simply said, "Can you please watch your language."

Answer 1

No, I mind my own business.  If people want to seem ignorant and uneducated by spewing profanity that's their business, it just tells everyone around them the kind of person they are.  Consider it a free warning.

Answer 2

I have, but you are dealing with animals.

A guy just got beat up in a gas station and sent to the hospital because he told three punks not to use bad language in front of his young kids.

In Michigan the cops can ticket punks (and have) for bad words.

Have lots of pepper spray on you!

God love you!

Answer 3

God gave everyone free will. All any one has to do to be a Christian is to show gentleness, kindness, long suffering, brotherly love and patience towards all.

Answer 4

If I'm in a room full of cussers I don't say anything. This is THEIR country not mine. I'm a visitor here. I'm a citizen of Heaven.

BUT, if there are only a few I will tell them to watch it. (Not really on h***s and damns but definiely on the baddies)

Answer 5

I usually lack the courage that you had, I am ashamed to admit. But you did right.

Jesus said... "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." (Luke 17:3)

"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matt 13:13)

Answer 6

Proverbs 26:5   Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Proverbs 26:4   Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Wisdow is the answer here, some people are always going to be foolish (do not answer them), but some are for the most part respectful and slip with there tongue (those you could remind,) people judge us by the way we talk, surely we do not want people thinking we are illiterate and only can use curse words to get our point across.

Answer 7

Sometimes it works, sometimes not. If you don't know the person it's probably best to just walk away. Maybe say a silent little prayer for them.

Answer 8

If I am interacting with someone on a regular basis and they behave in a way that makes me uncomfortable I do say something. If I am just passing someone on the street that I probably wont see again I don't correct them because I most likely wont see them again. If I were to correct everyone for everything I think that would be judgmental because what others do doesn't always affect me.

Answer 9

You are going to get that kind of response occasionally.

Answer 10

just with my kids and husband....but here some teenagers need correction cuz their moms are failing them..

Answer 11

No.  There's bigger things to worry about than language.  We shouldn't be language police.

I'll speak up if someone's being abusive to their child, though.  Far as I'm concerned, that's everyone's business.

Answer 12

In a public forum, it is free speech.  (The only time this might not apply is if your young children are around or you are clearly in a child friendly place.  Then I would have said something also.)

In my home however, rules apply.  My husbands friends come over to visit and their potty mouths stop at the door and they know it.  I go out of my way to cook supper, have cookies, let them enjoy my home and they are welcome any time they want.  But in exchange (and this applys for any visitor) they know to abide by our rules.  I have a young child and I don't want him repeating them until he is at least 10, (haha, just kidding.)

Sometimes they sit out on the porch so they can use their potty mouths... (its like a manly thing to do or something.)  But thats fine as long as they follow the rules inside.

Answer 13

Not a good idea to correct people in public I just saw a guy get his *** kicked for it last saturday night and he went to jail.You do have the right to tell someone to stop cursing in front of your children it is up to you the best thing to do is to move out the way because you never know who you are talking to

Answer 14

Hmmm, I'd say it depends on the situation but when Jesus says to rebuke your brothers it means just that, brothers, other Christians. if someone claims to be a Christian or is a Christian you bet I will!

Answer 15

I think anyone, Christian or not, has the right to ask people not to be loud or rude in public.

I've known people who aren't really religious but still feel offended by crude language. Too many people get out in public and think that the whole world has a "right" to hear them speak. Not everyone wants to.  

Answer 16

I've never corrected bad behavior in public. I just walk along to another area and get away from it.  

I can understand how you feel though hearing those things. Some people mouths are so foul!

Oh, I heard on the news where a lady in Walmart got a ticket from a Firemen (didn't know firemen could give tickets but evidently they can). She kept saying the F word to her child in Walmart and the Fireman asked her to stop and she started saying it to the Fireman so he ticketed her. Then she started in on him even more so he eventually had to have her handcuffed and taken outside of the store because she caused such a scene. So by that time she ended up with a court date to answer to the judge about what she did just because she wouldn't stop saying the F word when asked not to in front of her child and then to the firemen.

Answer 17

I am so all over that! Like white on rice! I will not tolerate such behavior from anyone in public.

I was standing in line, one day, at a conveniences store, when this young man standing behind me was talking on his cell phone and he was cussing up a storm. I turned to him and said "would you mind watching your language in public, there are women and children here, and such language is not appropriate." and he said "what are you, the language police? or something?" I said, "worse! so watch your mouth!" He did, and others around us thanked me for standing up for common courtesy. It takes a certain moral strength, but we can all have it if we practice what we believe. Just because you are on your cell phone, if it is in a public place, then public rules apply.

I applaud you on your strength. Keep it up!

Answer 18

You responded in the correct manner. Choose your battles wisely.  Go into your private place and pray for the well being of not only this person, but also everyone, including yourself.  God Bless!