Here's a novel idea...

Get rid of the "word filter" completely, and
demand rely on the forum rules actually being obeyed ??
Folks taking responsibility for what they post ??
If they post foul language the post is simply deleted .. not edited .. deleted. If they continue to do so they get progressively lengthy bans ??
Same applies to deliberate misspelling of foul language, use of disguises etc etc
This is a free forum .. with freedom comes responsibility .. so make folks act responsibly.
I belong to quite a few forums on several subjects, and the so called "banter" on here would not last seconds on any other forum.
And swearing is never "banter" ... it just means you are too thick/lazy/rushed to respond properly.
There are maybe 1/2 a dozen folks on here who seem to spend half their lives trying to find ways around the "word filter" .... and IMHO it is spoiling the friendly nature of the forum.... as well as leading to the stupidity referred to by the OP