A few years ago I penned a column about the absolute silliness and destructiveness of the world-wide fad of being politically correct. Not having read a real definition of P.C., let me give you mine – a belief completely void of logic but with mob appeal and makes you feel good about yourself.
There are so many examples of P.C. some of which can be humorous and others a matter of life and death. Dealing with the latter consider the not guilty verdict of O.J. Simpson after he viscously murdered two people. Because of political correctness the main issue in that trial was that one member of the prosecution team used the ‘N’ word in recent months. That was more important than the brutal murder itself. Result -freedom for the killer.
Another damaging and emotional belief that you see acted out and dominating everything from not using toilet paper to shutting down coal plants is the concept of “going green”. It makes no difference if it helps or if it is economically feasible if it makes you feel good and you can join the crowd, it must be beneficial. Some of the practices that are being taught in our public schools about going green are disgusting and dangerous.
One of the most far reaching and damaging P.C. moves in recent months was to be so proud of yourself because you voted for a black president. Never mind if you are sending the relevance of a pre-teen to do a man’s job and his close associates are Marxists or worse, you are so tolerant, so forward thinking and so politically correct. The good news is that voting America – Democrats, Republicans and Independents are beginning to awaken - the proof being elections in New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts. More about this in a later column.
In early January Brit Hume, who is an expert news analyst for Fox News, committed a violation of the rule to avoid proclaiming his Christian faith. Quoting Mr. Hume, “My message to Tiger would be – Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.” As reported in “World Magazine” Hume added that Woods’ professed Buddhism doesn’t offer the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith.
Right on cue the politically correct media erupted with a torrent of nasty comments pertaining to Brit Hume’s breaking the cardinal rule of never bringing your Christian beliefs in the public square.
“Comedy’s Central’s” Jon Stewart lampooned Hume in a four minute segment. MSNBC’s David Shuster called Hume’s remarks, “truly embarrassing”. Washington Post critic, Tom Shales asked, “Didn’t he sound like Mary Poppins on the joys of a tidy room?” Another columnist wrote “this disgusting display of self righteousness should always be avoided.”
Shales went on to demand that Hume apologize for offering this lifeline to Woods. Naturally Hume did no such thing, and if you listened to Brit Hume, you could sense his statement was presented in a compassionate and sincere effort to assist someone who has been bombarded from all sides. Despite his fame and fortune Hume knows that Woods must be at a low point in his professional career and in his personal relationships. It is apparent Mr. Hume is reaching out to Tiger Woods and relating this to his own experience. Brit says he “came to Christ” after his son’s suicide in 1998. Who do you believe is on higher ground – Brit Hume or Jon Stewart and Tom Shales?
As noted by Joel Belz in “World Magazine” – who said it’s fine to discuss in public which stock to invest in, which restaurant to dine in, which football team deserves the highest ranking, whether Fords are better than Toyotas, whether radiation is better than surgery for cancer patients or a thousand other controversial subjects - but that to recommend that a friend consider Christianity over Buddhism is obviously a no-no?
We have swung with the pendulum so far to the side that it is not only unpopular but downright nasty to express your Christian beliefs. Thank goodness we live in a part of the Bible belt where the veil is thin and Christianity is usually not degraded. In our own community it is still a plus to be recognized as a practicing Christian. If you take time to study the leaders and shakers in Cleburne County, my guess would be 90 percent not only profess Christianity but practice it regularly.
Is there something unique about issues of faith that says we need to be gentle, deferential and maybe altogether silent about Christianity and play smash-mouth and insult each other on a thousand other fronts? I think not.
(Jerry Jackson of Heber Springs writes his “conservative viewpoint” column each Wednesday)
