The Newsweek article mentioned below is perhaps old hat. We've seen this sort of thing before. Since the advent of Form Criticism, theological orthodoxy has been out of fashion in many intellectual circles. Yet it is troubling for other reasons. One senses a growing hostility, not toward religion, but toward Christianity in general, and specifically Christianity that is theologically and morally conservative. When coupled with the militancy of groups which have a stake in opposing conservative faith and values, this cloud of hostility gets increasingly ominous.
The Washington Times today published a piece on the mistreating of religion in Network TV. Neither new nor surprising, except for some of the quotes, such as this one
"Several incidents were cited, such as a Dec. 17 episode of Fox's "That '70s Show" that referred to a couple having sex next to a manger scene; an Aug. 5 episode of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" that referred to Catholicism as a religion that awards a "get-out-of-hell-free card" to anyone but pedophile priests; and a dialogue in a Feb. 10 episode of NBC's "Will and Grace" in which sidekick Karen tells lead character Grace, "Let's go buy that historic church and turn it into a gay bar."
One can only imagine the outcry if an episode of "Seventh Heaven" suggested shutting down a gay bar and turning it into a church. What strikes me recently is the tone of the opposition to both Catholic and Evangelical Christianity. One doesn't have to listen long to Bill Maher to sense a seething disdain that perhaps crosses the border into the realm of irrational hatred. The quotes above reveal a growing lack of civility in general, but a particular boldness in the disrespect for things once sacred.
Add to this the increasing strategic boldness of groups in using "hate speech" as a barricade against all critical discussion of their teachings. CNS News cites a case in which two pastors in Australia were found guilty of vilifying Islam in large part for simply quoting portions of the Koran. The article correctly notes that the ruling could have the effect of making all discussion of differences in religious beliefs potential hate speech.
But note the difference in tones. On the one hand, conservative Christians are asking for balance from creative programming on Network television, specifically stating they do not believe that the misteps of the faithful should be off limits and do not believe that only positive statements be discussed. They simply want a balance, the same balance that exists in the culture at large where 90% of the population believes in God and significant percentage have beliefs that are at least loosely "Christian".
On the other hand, direct quotations from the Koran cannot be discussed critically as it may be legally in violation of "hate speech" legislation and may carry penalties enforced by the state. Other groups, particulary gay rights advocacy organizations, will use "hate speech" legislation in similar ways, often to silence Christians.
WorldNetDaily reports today of parents being ejected from their children's school school for attempting to report on the goings on of a gay awareness event.
I have always been drawn to Christianity because of its self-critical nature. C.S. Lewis once said that pride is the one sin he had seen no one but Christians admit to. It is in the nature of true Christian faith to recognize fallibility, falleness, sin, and the darkness in ourselves and our institutions. It is also in the nature of Christianity to see goodness and beauty in humanity, the image of God even in those with whom we disagree. There is a balance. We have hope and aspirations, tempered with humility.
Utopianism, in its many manifestations, which seeks a perfect society, always fails to find this balance. I tend to think the many of the initiatives behind politically correct ideologies are a result of this lack of balance. It leads to the tendency to on the one hand ignore the sins of a particular group or movement and to seek to silence all dissent on the other. And yes, even Christians can be guilty of this tendency. Where Christianity deserves a bit of honest critical evaluation, societies should not only allow but welcome it, as long as it is intelligent, truthful and, yes, balanced. But can we not apply such sensible self-examination fairly and critically dissect the weaknesses and blind spots of others? In other words, why has free speech in recent years been increasingly understood to not include the religious speech of conservative Christians?
I find it amazing to watch whole societies embracing the notion that only Christianity is fair game for criticism, ridicule and eventually persecution. Hopefully this is not a trend that will reach its ultimate conclusion in this country.
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