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As we continue to consider Christians involvement in politics, I'd like to take a little bit of a sideways turn. Rather than discussing politics directly, I'd like to consider the idea of being politically correct.

Very few ideas get people as animated as this idea of political correctness. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines politically correct as "conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated." Many people are passionate about removing any language that could be construed as offensive. Many others are passionately opposed to the principal of being forced to change their language for the sake of others.

Those who are pro-PC want to avoid anything that could offend another. Those who are anti-PC feel as though current PC trends actually work violate freedom of expression - where if the majority disagrees with an opinion, the minority voice is silenced in the name of being "offensive" and not politically correct. (http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/fcc-commissioner-u.s.-tradition-of-free-expression-slipping-away/article/2583354)

As followers of Jesus, how should we think about this debate? Often we are the minority voice, but still expect freedom, within our democracies, to have a voice. So should we be anti-PC? Alternatively, we are to love others and can we claim to be loving them when knowingly causing offence? Maybe we should be pro-PC. How is a Christian to be guided in our speech?

Let me begin with a general societal observation. In my opinion people today are far too easily offended. This is not merely true among one demographic of people (age, race, gender). When we hear something that rubs us the wrong way or we disagree with, we far too quickly play the "I'm offended" card. There seems to be little room for constructive dialogue around differences of opinion or belief. When someone expresses disagreement with my ideas, convictions, or lifestyle I find it very easy to equate that with an attack on me - the person. And I take offense. And when we respond out of that place of offense, we tend to try to shut down the voice of the other rather than engaging them in constructive ways.

For this reason, my heart resonates with an anti-PC person who's concern is the elimination of genuinely civil and healthy dialogue between people with divert ideas or convictions.

However, in my opinion, many people are anti-PC simply because they don't want to bother being sensitive to other people. They want freedom to be cruel. Sometimes we just don't want to be told what we can and can't say. Other times being PC would hurt financially. (e.g. If sports teams that draw on negative First Nations' stereotypes were to change their names and/or logos.) In these situations, it seems to me that Christians must be willing to check our language.

But our motivation is not political correctness. Our motivation is much bigger and deeper than merely being PC. Consider these verses about how we speak:

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:5-6)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God's example, therefore as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 4:29; 32-5:2)

As followers of Jesus we are to have our conversation be full of grace. Our talk is to always be helpful for building up others according to their needs (not our habits or convenience). Kindness and compassion and love are to be what mark us.

This doesn't Christians should be pro-PC. Political correctness is concerned merely with not offending. The way of Jesus is concerned with offering grace, love, and building others up. This doesn't mean we never disagree. This doesn't mean we always affirm another's conviction. This doesn't mean we never say things others might take offense by. This does mean that we always seek to be motivated by love and that we always seek to show that love. (It's easy to feel we're motivated by love, but love doesn't get expressed because we're acting like jerks.)

The next time you find yourself considering if something is politically correct or not, let me encourage you ask some bigger, better questions.

  • Am I offer grace with what and how I'm speaking?
  • I am saying this in order to build another up? Am I saying it in a way that builds another up
  • Does this exude kindness, compassion, and love?

These guidelines help shape, not only our public discourse, but all of our conversation. How can I engage a difficult conversation in a way that communicates what needs to be said while offering grace, building up, and exuding kindness compassion, and love? How can I speak with my children and family in ways that offer grace, build up, and exude kindness, compassion, and love? Does this joke offer grace, build up, and exude kindness, compassion, and love?

[Jokes are often terrible for this! A little sarcastic comment that we think is innocent can cause hurt or even significant damage. On Sunday I jokingly suggested that part of why I struggle to celebrate may be that I was raised by a mathemetician. It was an unfair mischaracterization of people who have different passions and gifts than I do. It was unnecessary and negative. It wasn't helpful. It didn't build others up. I'm sorry for any hurt/offense I caused. I'm sorry for my bad example. And I'm thankful for those of you who, with love and grace and kindness, pointed out my wrong and called me to do better.]

As followers of Jesus, let's move past PC. Let's not go through life looking for offense just because someone disagrees with us and our ideas. And let speak in ways that are guided by bigger, more significant questions than simply what is politically correct.

  • Am I offer grace with what and how I'm speaking?
  • I am saying this in order to build another up? Am I saying it in a way that builds another up?
  • Does this exude kindness, compassion, and love?