Board Thread:Site Discussions/@comment-3416945-20150112204618

'''TL;DR VERSION: We are a professional site. Let's be mature and not use these words. There are other ways of expressing ourselves without offending other users. Is it really necessary?'''

I would like to begin this discussion with a disclaimer. I am not some holy and reverent person who preaches goodness and condemns all those who use profanity to hell. In fact, I probably use vulgar language more than the average user here on the Sonic News Network. However, as an administrator and long-time editor of this website, the use of swearing offends me, and probably our readers as well.

What I am suggesting here is that we disallow swearing in its entirety, even when censored (s*** for example should be made unacceptable as well as ****, why censor at all? There are other ways to express yourself).

Now, don't get me wrong, I believe we should tolerate and ONLY tolerate (not allow) the use of damn, piss and hell. Those words are particularly harmless and aren't as offensive as other words. Moving on.

The use of "goddamn" in particular NEEDS to stop. Use of this word is NOT PG-13, and is INCREDIBLY offensive to some people who practice the Christian faith (similar to how the word n***** is offensive to people of black origins). The word "goddamn" LITERALLY means condemning God to hell. This is offensive to (some) Christians on so many different levels. Let's respect their faith and be mature by not using this word. It may not offend ALL Christians of course, but its offensive nonetheless, similar to how n***** may not offend all people of black ethnicity.

As I said, I also want to remove swearing in its entirety, even when censored. There's a reason why swearing is offensive, even when censored. Read this article for more information. We really don't need to swear. The argument has been made that the wiki is "full of thirteen year olds who swear in their real lives", but why does that matter? This is a professional wiki. You people need to stop thinking what is best for your personal social preferences, and think about the wiki and world as a whole. There's a reason why swearing is censored in movies, music, etc. It's offensive and this is a wiki about a child's game. Grow up. If there were a job that required you to talk online to other people (customer service) via typing, you wouldn't curse, not even for emphasis. 