The UK needs to know that Christians honour the name of Jesus Christ

How could anyone imagine that using the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as a swear word would not be offensive to Christians?

The latest Ofcom report on offensive language has been published, and once again, it says people believe it is perfectly fine to be using the name of Jesus profanely before the watershed, and so to be broadcast to our children.

Jesus does not needs us to defend his honour; he came in astounding humility and suffered many abuses to his name during his time on earth.

However, we who have been saved by his blood ought to honour him, anticipating the day when every knee will bow and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord.

Ofcom report

Ofcom’s report explained that the people they polled “did not think that the phrase Jesus Christ would be offensive to Christians”, and that most of the Christians they questioned agreed. They did, however, define Christian as ‘anyone who self-identified with the Christian faith’.

The report did concede that “some Northern Irish participants felt that what they viewed as blasphemous language would be considered offensive in their community, more so than any other form of offensive language” [emphasis added].

No doubt this is connected to the fact that a much larger proportion of the population of Northern Ireland attends church regularly than in the rest of the UK.

Speak up

Followers of Jesus are right not to become inflamed after every insult. We are told by Jesus himself to expect the world to revile us and to follow his response of sacrificial love.

However, it is a shocking sign of religious illiteracy that people in the UK are unaware of how Christians revere the name of Jesus and how gratingly it falls on our ears to hear his name used as a curse.

Ofcom’s report reflects our society’s ignorance on the topic.

Asking the regulator to ban blasphemy before the watershed would no doubt fall on deaf ears. But when we hear Jesus’s name used in this way in the workplace, when watching TV with family, or when we’re out with friends, it is an opportunity to speak up.

Let’s not be afraid to tell people why using the Saviour’s name as a curse is so wrong – that he has brought us from death to life by the power of that name through the Holy Spirit.

And let’s make sure they know that the name of Jesus, which they may use so thoughtlessly in place of a swear word, has the power to save them as well.