Jean told me to start this thread here so I am
Me and my dad would always have this debate with my mother. I've also had it with my mom's sister and my mom's aunt. They all think I'm going to hell (not literally really) for it, but it has always been my opinion that there are no "bad words". Words cannot be bad because people give them their meaning. My aunt works in a school and is amazed at how the kids there just use profanity with each other. She, and many other of my older female family members are extremely offended by "cuss" words. I tried to explain that a word is only profane if it is used in a profane context.
For example: Many girls that I know refer to their girlfriends as "bitch". It is a term of endearment. Calling a girl a bitch that you don't like or are mad at is using the word in a completely different way so it basically isn't the same word anymore. This is the reason that many words in the dictionary have seperate entries.
An example without a "cuss" word: People say man that's hot! Which isn't to say that whatever they're talking about is holding a lot of heat, but to say that they like it.
I won't put all my cards out now, I'd like to hear (read) everyone's thoughts on the subject though.