By Hannah Schaefer | Contributor
Here at Taylor, when we hear accusations of sexism or racism or homophobia, we are quick to bristle. "It was a joke," we might say. "I wasn't being serious." "Our generation is so easily offended." "Political correctness is holding us back from speaking truth in our society."
It's true that choosing language out of fear or shame can be frustrating and unhealthy. However, the solution is not to abandon politically correct language entirely-Proverbs 12:18 says, "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." If we genuinely desire to love and heal those around us rather than tear at others' weaknesses, why would we not go out of our way to use language that shows respect and provides dignity?
Donald Trump is the perfect example of anti-political correctness going too far. His entire platform is built on the opposition of political correctness, and his language is insulting towards women, racial minorities and even the physically disabled. This is completely against Jesus' teaching and ministry, and yet Christians fill Trump's rallies and echo the anger of the "politically correct" society.
During Jesus' ministry on earth, he did not condemn those who were already condemned by his community. His challenges and scathing comments were reserved for the insiders: the Jewish leaders and Pharisees.
Christians in America are well on our way to being Pharisees. We only speak of the speck in the eye of our non-Christian friends and refuse to acknowledge the plank in our own. Jesus spent his time laughing with sinners, enjoying himself so much that the Jews thought he was one of them.
I don't think Jesus paused in the middle of dinner to call out the sins of each person at the table. He knew that these people were so aware of their inadequacies, their outsider status, that he didn't need to add to the cacophony of judgment. They needed a hand to reach for them, a voice of compassion, a friend who knew what their hearts were hungry for and never wanted them to hunger again.
If we cannot challenge the sins of pride, apathy, self-righteousness and ignorance in our churches, then we certainly have no right to start with the world.
We must be willing to humanize those we consider "other" in our world, whether that be the LGBTQ community, racial minorities or non-Christians at large. We must be willing to put ourselves in their shoes, to ask questions and to better understand their struggles instead of speaking like we know all we need to. Until we can do that, we are the ones who must be held accountable to Biblical truth.
