Political Correctness

Bigot! Judgmental! Offensive! Chauvinistic! Intolerant! Hateful!

The mere mention of words like these can cause some of the fastest, strongest, and angriest reactions in our world. That is, as long as this reaction supports our culture’s agenda. There is perhaps nothing more ugly, more despised, and more ostracized than the egregious “sin” of political incorrectness.

Ironically, there are also few things more inconsistent. Those claiming someone as judgmental have actually made themselves as the judge. Those claiming another as intolerant are merely displaying a lack of tolerance for that person’s views. Those labeling someone’s words, thoughts, or views as offensive do not care at all about what may offend that person. “Free speech” seems only to be free when filtered through political correctness.

Consider the following examples:

• Five students at a California High School were told to take off or hide their American flag shirts and bandanas on Cinco de Mayo. They were told they would be suspended if they went back to class without complying. They decided to go home to avoid suspension (NBC).
• Ball State University professor Eric Hedin was banned from ever mentioning the idea of “intelligent design” in his science classroom (Ball State Daily).
• In 2012, a federal judge deemed “choose life” license plates to be unconstitutional in North Carolina unless similar plates supporting abortion were also made available (Fox News). 22 additional states do not carry this license plate (choose-life.org).
• Singer Donnie McClurkin was asked not to attend his own concert in Washington D.C. after he said that God delivered him from the curse of homosexuality (Washington Post).
• A 6-year-old girl was told to remove the word “God” from a poem she wrote about her two grandfathers who served in the Vietnam War. The poem was to be read at a Veteran’s Day ceremony (Fox News).

Most may not realize it’s happening, but political correctness has become a religion. It has become the law. It has become the judge. It determines who and what are right and wrong. It has become supreme. It has become a god.

While the issues may be different, political correctness is as old as time. In fact, many of the problems people had with Jesus were simply because He didn’t fit the mold of the Jewish culture (Matthew 9:14; 15:1-3). While balance, patience, and common sense are needed, we must be careful not to neglect the commandment of God in order to hold to the traditions of men (Mark 7:8).

However, we must not be people who stir the pot just because we can. Yes, we should be overflowing with an attitude of love, but still teach the truth in this love (Ephesians 4:15; Romans 12:9). Yes, we should not judge without the facts (Matthew 7:1-5), but it’s not judgmental to point out where God has already judged something as wrong (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Yes, we should do everything we can to “be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18), but not at the neglect and disobedience of all of God’s other commands (Matthew 7:21-23).

Standing on the truth has rarely been popular. Even Peter and the apostles were persecuted for speaking out and standing on things the culture didn’t want to hear (Acts 5:27-28). However, at the end of the day, no matter how “politically incorrect” or “intolerant” we are labeled, let’s echo Peter’s bold words: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).