In today’s society the term is really a pejorative expression. It has lost its punch because no one can say they are the orthodox or supreme authority in reference to what is unilaterally offensive. In today's highly politically-charged atmosphere it is sometimes hard to tell the good guys from the bad ones.
Since America is, literally, a melting pot of nearly every nationality and cultural blend of people on the planet, where would any sort of gauge find its moral compass when it comes to offending the majority of the people? In some cultures cannibalism is right!
In order to narrow this down we could use phrases such as “common decency” or “trying not to intentionally and knowingly offend others,” but that puts us back into trying to walk on eggshells because of not knowing where people keep their “offense button” hidden. You know… it’s a thin line between love and hate.
Since I have become somewhat unofficially a journalist, I understand the need to allow freedom of expression at least up to a point, because the only way to make changes in things that are institutionalized pejoratives is to allow those who are penalized to speak out in order to bring attention to whatever injustices have been made by their oppressors and thereby endeavor to correct that offense.
What seems to be of more concern to the general public is the fact that the compass once used to calculate correctness is all over the scale, therefore it is truly difficult to determine where social consciousness rests.
Things that were formerly politically correct, or as the case may be, incorrect, are no longer the same. Things that were morally offensive are no longer the same. Things that were thought to be common decency are no longer pinging the moral thermometer at the same mark.
In essence it appears that we have stirred up an ocean of sediment and it will take some time before all that “stuff” settles back down to its own bottom level again.
As each generation comes into dominance they usually usher in their own moral compass. Things that are common for me were not common for my parents. Things that are common for my children are not acceptable for me.
With this much constant fluctuation it is most difficult to set a deep enough anchor from which the masses can brace themselves. It is like riding on a small boat through very rough waters. One can only hold on to whatever in order to keep what small amount of balance possible.
What are the anchors that we still recognize as solid foundational bases? What are the pillars that have stood the test of time that the majority still respects? In truth many of those longstanding markers have faded into the past like the memory of a great sunset. Seemingly, they are no longer present. We only hope to keep some of their memories close enough that perhaps memories of them might make at least a slight difference.
One of the main issues here is that those who do not have or respect moral boundaries are learning how to set the slate. What’s popular or fashionable is becoming the new marker. The lines people draw in the sand are quickly disappearing.
Comedians poke fun at those who take a stand for righteousness sake. Our leaders and stars who bend or break the rules are raised to even higher stardom than they were before they committed their offenses.
Even being politically correct is a joke, because being politically incorrect is more fashionable. Why would our children want to be “good” when being “bad” gets them much more attention?
So where does this leave us? Are we willing to drop nearly all of our morality bars and go to a society where nearly anything goes? Do we really want to see a society of lawlessness? Is it even possible to put the cat back in the box now that we have let it out?
I’m not being cynical here! I’m only making observations of the pictures that have been so clearly painted. I have lost my desire to be politically correct because that bar has been set so low in the dungeons.
I’m no longer afraid to offend those who are being offensive. I will personally stand for what is right and decent regardless of popularity. I will not become a man that stands for nothing and thereby falls for anything.
For me, and my household, we still believe in godliness. And yes, that may be politically incorrect. My faith is not anchored upon being popular or being accepted by those who would gladly curse and spit on the very God that I believe in.
If being politically correct means that I should forego and forget about the God that I serve, or forego and forget about common sense principles of decency, then so be it. I can both live and die knowing that for me…I would have followed my heart to a place that is deeply hidden, where the spirit of God lives in me. Trust not in things that are seen, but instead those that are unseen. Selah!
No comments:
Post a Comment