"If all printers were determined not to print anything until they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed." Benjamin Franklin
"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Thumper, in the movie, Bambi, (and millions of moms all over the world.)
Examples of political correctness:
Vehicle appearance specialist - car washer
Horizontally challenged - fat
Vertically challenged - Short
Chronologically gifted - old
In transition between careers - out of work
We have all heard the term politcal correctness used in our language today. The Wikipedia describes it as "A linguistic concept aimed at removing words or terms that would be perceived as offensive to certain groups, especially racial or cultural groups." Some people find it helpful or tolerant, while others find it repulsive to speaking the truth. Some can be humorous, like the examples above, but the use of language has always been one of the most powerful means of either lifting someone up or tearing them down. The old children's rhyme that ends with "...but words can never hurt me..." missed out on the reality of being at the wrong end of brutal language. Still it often seems that many have taken political correctness to an extreme. Here are a few questions for you to consider: Is there a place for politically correct language in the Christian life? What makes the difference for determining when politically correct language is a mask for a lack of conviction and when it is truly sensitive to the feelings of others?
Here are a few Scriptures to help get the conversation rolling. Enjoy!
Colossians 4:6
Titus 2:6-8
Proverbs 16:21
James 5:12
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I think you need to be politically correct when you are talking about Christians. It irks me when someone refers to Christmas as X-mas. That is basically taking Christ out of Christmas and the whole meaning for the season. You do however have to be careful especially at work about political correctness. You don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or tell them that what they believe is wrong. I do think that you should be allowed to say "Merry Christmas" and not Happy Holidays. These are just a few of my feelings.
ReplyDeleteWe live in a broken, sinful world. As Peter says, we are "aliens and strangers" living in this world. We are surrounded by people who don't know God or honor God by giving Him His rightful place. We are surrounded by people who don't accept that there is an absolute Truth, but feel that everything is relative and subjective. We are surrounded by people who are blind, deaf, and ignorant that Satan is constantly "on the prowl ready to devour us like a hungry lion."
ReplyDeleteThere are three things that we must accept:
1. It is crucial that we live and speak differently...with boldness of spirit, courage of our word, and actions of love. We must look, act, and appear distinctively different than the world if we are to try in follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
2. The Great Commission says we are to "go and make disciples of all nations". We are to spread the Gospel. Not only are we to be disciples (followers and learners), but we are to be apostles (messengers) as well.
3. We live in the broken world.
Somehow, we have to reconcile those three things. How do we go forth and spread the Gospel when we are aliens in a strange world? This is where some allow political correctness to comes in.
Pastor Damon's last question above separates the two ways we use political correctness...one way is to avoid hurt feelings, being sensitive to others. The other way is a "cop out"...a way for us to mask our true convictions...a way to avoid a confrontation.
If we are to live in this world differently, we must do so with sensitivity to others, with respect to others. If we do not, we will never be in a position to give the Gospel message of Jesus. This does not mean we are to "sugar coat" sin. But, we can approach people and be more approachable ourselves when we take care to use avoid cliches or language that might be considered offensive.
That being said, we should never go so far in "politeness" that we don't acknowledge sin as sin...that we don't tell a lost soul that there is hope in this man we call Jesus. We should never use politically correct words if it means wer are watering down our convictions or the message that Jesus is the messiah and has come to save ALL men.
Once again I appreciate the comments that were left on this subject. I think the Scriptures show us that the difference in political correctness and politeness has to do a great deal with intention. If our intention is to carefully phrase our language so as not to cause injury or harm, then I think God would approve. But if the same actions are taken for our own personal gain without any real deference for the feelings of others, then we are simply living a lie. The Lord tell us that sometimes we do need to bring attention to sin, but even in those situations, Christians are to rebuke one another in love, not in self-righteousness.
ReplyDeleteSo watch your language, not for yourself but for the love of others. Blessings, Pastor Damon