http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse
A curse is the effective action of supernatural power, distinguished solely by the quality of adversity that it brings, else it would be considered a "charm" or a "blessing." A curse may also be said to result from a spell or prayer, imprecation or execration, or other imposition by magic or witchcraft, asking that a god, natural force, or spirit bring misfortune to someone.
The forms of curses found in various cultures comprise a significant proportion of the study of both folk religion and folklore.
In a broader sense, 'curse' is a loose synonym for blasphemy or profanity (i.e. a "curse word.")
"The curse" is also a term for the original sin of Adam and Eve in the Christian religion, and a slang term for menstruation.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damnation
Religious
In some forms of Western Christian belief, damnation to hell is the punishment of God for persons with unredeemed sin. Damnation can be a motivator for conversions to Christianity.
One conception is of eternal suffering and denial of entrance to heaven, often symbolized in the Bible as burning and fire.
Another conception, derived from the scripture about Gehenna is simply that people will be discarded (burned), as being unworthy of preservation by God.
In Eastern Christian traditions (Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy), as well as some Western traditions, it is not seen as a legalistic punishment meted out by an angry and vengeful God for a slight against some set of spiritual rules. Instead, it describes a state of separation from God, a state into which all humans are born but against which Christ is the Mediator and "Great Physician".
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Profane language
"Damnation" (or, more commonly, "damn", or "goddamn") is widely used as a moderate profanity. Until around the mid-20th century damn was a more offensive term than it is today, and was frequently represented as "D--n," "D---," or abbreviated to just "D." The use of "damn" in Rhett Butler's parting line to Scarlett O'Hara in the film Gone with the Wind in 1939 captivated moviegoers.
"Damn" is commonly nowadays known as a very mildly profane word and used while cursing or swearing.
In the USA, "damn" is also commonly used as an exclamation when an extremely attractive person or object of approval is located; e.g. "Damn, he/she is fine" or perhaps "Damn, he has a nice car!". "Hot damn" may be used similarly, but it is somewhat distinct; for example, if one says, "Joe just won the lottery," a response of "Damn!" on its own indicates disapproval, but "Hot damn!" indicates approval.
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