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Serena's Tirade: What Would Her Church Think?

Jehovah's Witnesses no fans of cursing—but she won't face big trouble

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 16, 2009 4:14 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Serena Williams is a Jehovah’s Witness, which causes Slate to wonder: What does her religion think about her foul-mouthed outburst at the US Open? Jehovah’s Witnesses “discourage members from any sort of foul language on the grounds that it's expressly forbidden in the Bible,” writes Juliet Lapidos. But Williams shouldn’t face any official finger-wagging from the church, as bad language is considered a “nonjudicial” sin.

Thus, it doesn’t call for “formal censure” from church elders, and it won’t lead to her being kicked out of the church. Williams is guilty, however, on two counts. First, she took “the name of the Lord thy God in vain” when she swore “to God” she’d stick a ball down the ref’s throat. With her expletives, she also violated an instruction by the apostle Paul cited by Witnesses: “Let a rotten saying not proceed out of your mouth.”

Serena Williams, left, talks to officials after arguing with a line judge over a foot fault during her match against Kim Clijsters of Belgium at the US Open Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009.
Serena Williams, left, talks to officials after arguing with a line judge over a foot fault during her match against Kim Clijsters of Belgium at the US Open Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Serena Williams, of the United States, speaks to reporters after losing her semifinals match to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009.
Serena Williams, of the United States, speaks to reporters after losing her semifinals match to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Serena Williams speaks to reporters after losing her semifinals match to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009.
Serena Williams speaks to reporters after losing her semifinals match to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Serena Williams hits a ball at the net while warming up for the women's doubles championship at the US Open Monday, Sept. 14, 2009.
Serena Williams hits a ball at the net while warming up for the women's doubles championship at the US Open Monday, Sept. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Cat-Lover
Sep 17, 2009 7:22 AM CDT
I always care what the church thinks, and the Republican party, too. How else will I know what I'm agin'
MarkFL
Sep 17, 2009 5:02 AM CDT
Her church thinks... Our favorite sports are proofreading and stone wheel rolling.
cfbailey
Sep 17, 2009 1:36 AM CDT
I would like to shove the ball down Matt Cantor's throat

 
religion • tennis • Serena Williams • referee • profanity • cursing • Jehovah's Witness

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