One of Americas largest Christian broadcasters, Trinity Broadcasting Network has decided to drop one of its shows because it does not want to agitate Muslim Jihadist. Of course they say it is because they dont want to offend Muslims in general and that because they are beginning to broadcast into Arab countries. Nevertheless the dye is cast and with a brand of political correctness of their own making they plan to bounce the long running show created by the late Zola Levitt. The last show is set to air on August 28, 2006. Zola Levitts ministry will be carried on by his son Mark on the internet according to the ministrys newsletter.
Prior to dumping Levitt TBN also planned to dump Hal Lindseys program, The International Intelligence Briefing. Lindsey is a prolific writer who is best known for his all time best seller The Late Great Planet Earth. After some in house wrangling the program was to remain on air but then Lindsey himself pulled the plug because he could not express the true nature of Islamic radicalism without the pressure of an ongoing scrutiny.
These are just two examples of the absurdity of the notion of political correctness. Until political correctness becomes part of the constitution it would seem that we are still covered by the first amendment when it comes to calling a spade a spadeor are we?
Of the hundreds of articles Ive written only a few have ever been declined. Some were said to be placed in the wrong category and a few because I submitted them twice (unwittingly) to the same database. Only one was ever rejected because it was thought to be politically incorrect. I must admit I was shocked but after musing over it for a while I realized that to those who espouse this fantasmical notion I was making waves but I also know I was making inroads in a very important way. I was satisfied with that and I have been glad ever since that there are others out there like Lindsey and Levitt who are also.
Who decides what the parameters are in this business of being politically correct. If Hillary and an army of liberals take the presidency and most of the congressional seats in 2008 will that define my politics until the next election. Must I then become a progressive, anti war, tree hugging, happy little democratic puppy for at least the next four years? The answer is of course understood. I cringe at the ideas and positions of the left in this country but I am completely satisfied that because this is America, they are always within their rights to hold and voice their views in any way they see fit. I am told by the constitution itself that I cannot hinder the free expression of their views. I only wish someone would tell them that they cant hinder mine either. Until the idea of political correctness becomes part of the constitution it should be denied and actively resisted not to mention labeled for exactly what it is, censorship by assent.
The real victim of political correctness is the truth. Common sense is often accosted as well. Can Americans only bark about our own political goofery but must stop short of speaking about something abroad or connected to Religion? Maybe we should posthumously apologize to Jim Jones for the negative remarks that were made after he lead over nine hundred people to their deaths in Guyana. After all it happened in a foreign country and it was a religious thing.
Jesus Christ spoke of loving one another as being the most important of all his commands to his followers. He gave them examples of that kind of love daily by healing the sick, saving the lost and raising the dead. Yet for all that showing of love he never bent to the will of the constabulary. He saw the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. He saw the ever burgeoning traditional encumberments that they laid on the average citizen. He didnt hold back one bit when he addressed them just because they were Jewish like him. He did not let the fact that they were revered leaders of the much touted Levitical priesthood make him cringe in fear. In fact he spoke against them in such a way that by todays standards of political correctness he would be barred, banned, censured and who knows maybe even tarred and feathered.
Here are some of the things he said to the Pharisees in his day. Keep in mind that the Pharisees were not the leaders of some new movement out of nowhere. They were the keepers of the Mosaic laws and traditions. They were also the ones who laid a construct or web of rules, liturgies, interpretations, traditions and opinions over the pure simple word of the prophets and patriarchs until that word was so buried by the construct that it was all but lost. They hated Christs speaking of simple things like love, kindness, life and using analogies with birds, flowers and children. They after all had all the right religious words and phrases and were sure this country bumpkin of a Jew was talking into his hat. Politically correct? Look at this rebuke.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 3: 7-10
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Matthew 23: 13-15
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Matthew 23: 23-24
By the standards of political correctness Jesus might have been resurrected not to save the world from sin and give a promise that death has been conquered but rather to make an apology to the religious leaders that he so furiously lambasted, and in public.
No one should have to apologize for telling the truth. If discretion and respect are employed and we conduct ourselves with any kind of dignity as we address those we speak to, the truth should be all that is needed. When we wash our words with fear, hope of gain, or deference to people in position or power we hold ourselves responsible for those words. If as gentlemen we speak the truth in a respectful and deliberate manner then those words are responsible for themselves. |
