In the last few years, a number of prominent persons in various leadership roles have, in their reported public speeches or in conversation which found its way into the media, opened their mouths and inserted a foot. Lest some important voter group or financial supporter be alienated, their official spokespersons have hastily apologized, “He didn’t really mean it that way,“ or “What she intended to say was—”
Although by then the term had been around for nearly forty years, we soon became quite accustomed to hearing the catch-phrase, “politically correct.” This term describes language, ideas, policies, or behavior which attempt to minimize offense to groups identified by gender, race, culture, disability, age or other criteria. To the leaders who made those public blunders, it meant expressing themselves next time in language that does not offend those who may prove to be important to the speaker’s cause! Because of that evident self-serving motivation, some Christians treat political correctness as a silly joke or even as a fault to be avoided. It is neither. For all the scorn heaped upon it, it is, for the most part, still correct. It is right not to offend others by trampling on their nationality, their occupation, or their physical characteristics. It is right not to disparage others’ religious beliefs, their part of town, or the car they drive. Why would I ever hear any political incorrectness when I go, of all places, to church?
Even the air at my professional workplace is “sanitized.” I never hear off-color jokes in the staff room, I never hear disparaging remarks about women, I never hear racial slurs or religious taunts. How did I come to be so protected? My employer, concerned about avoiding the hazards of a “hostile work environment,” provides mandatory sessions on diversity awareness and on harassment. How can it be that my workplace is a haven from ethnic jokes, religious put-downs, and gender-biased remarks--and among Church folks is where I have sometimes heard them?
With the very public recognition of what is appropriate language, ignorance is no longer an excuse. Just pay attention to what is expected in secular society. There is little reason to offend by our thoughtless words those to whom we want to minister--even though our expressions may be habitual because “That’s the way I was brought up.” If the world can learn to say what is correct and legal, we too can learn to say what is right and kind.
That is not to say that there will never be offense in presenting the claims of Christ. The Apostle Paul acknowledged this as a reality, because not everyone likes being confronted with the truth of the Gospel. We must heed the Apostle Peter’s admonition, however, to take care that we are not censured for our own faults. “There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.” (I Peter 2:20 The Message) With presenting the reconciling Christ as our goal, why would we risk offending for a lesser cause?
It is my observation that most often these careless verbal offenses occur when an attempt is made to be funny. Paul warned us about this. “There must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:4 NASB) I like a good joke; my family is blessed with several consummate storytellers who regale us with tales that are falling-down funny. And it is not wrong to laugh in church, either. I like the wacky photos that show up on the video screen and the humorous illustrations that the pastor gives. But we have to find something to laugh about besides people of other faiths, soccer moms and balding men, ethnic dialects, and used car dealers. What can we make jokes about? Well, let’s figure it out; to Peter and to Paul it was a serious concern. Politicians realize that their casual remarks are significant, and employers are concerned about the environment in which they place their workers. Are we to let the world be wiser than the children of light? There is no reason why the Church should be a decade or two behind.
MaryMartha
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Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture marked NASB taken from the New American Standard Bible, used with permission of http://www.lockman.org/
Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com
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