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Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve
Yes, I don't like the phrases "God Damn" or "Jesus Christ" yelled in anger on my field. I will warn in adult games and eject in youth games for these two phrases. I know plenty of other umpires who feel exactly the same way, despite what PWL thinks. It's not a double standard, it is my view on what is or is not acceptable on my ballfield. I'm not trying to set any standards for your games, or anyone else's games. Why I need to explain my own personal standards here is a mystery to me. What, are you writing a book. Just spell my name right.
"Damn" by itself is okay with me. Using the Lord's name in vain is not. These words are not faith-based words when used as swear words. If someone calls out for help, "my Lord," that is one thing, but screaming out GD, or JC, in anger is a different thing, and you know it.
Look, I get offended when I hear Tiger Woods say "God Damn" after every bad shot he hits. It is offensive to Christian people, and there are more of us than some people think. The use of the F-word on the field equally offends me. How can words like "damn" or "hell" or "piss" by themselves offend anybody, as they all are words found in the Holy Bible?
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Now that that is clear. Let me offer this - whatever your religious persuasion, convictions, positions, etc., if something is said that violates your sense of propriety as it relates to religion, that is to say that you will react differently because somebody says something that you object to from a religious standpoint then you have an acknowleged double standard - you treat those different who don't agree with your religiuos beliefs. I realize this is way off base, but if you were doing a house type league, and one team was sponsored by a private organization called "Atheists, Inc." would you treat them any differently?
As an official, I assume still sanctioned by your state, how can you possibly justify your discriminatory actions?
I don't seek to judge you - you can do that enough on your own. But - how can you possibly be fair and impartial on "your" field, the first time you hear some rowdy, mouthy individual shout words that are objectionable to you, but only for religious reasons?