Upside Down... ~ The Effects Of Political Correctness On The Church ~ Part Two

   The PC movement has been a huge factor in turning our culture upside down.  Political correctness has become an ideology.  Judgment against those who violate the ideology can be swift and harsh.  Everyone must be made to bow to the idol of political correctness.  Churches have been severely affected.  Doctrine is being watered down, in some cases changed completely, to reflect a politically correct position.  Instead of shaping the moral character of our culture by boldly teaching the truth of God’s word, many churches have allowed our culture to reshape their teachings.  As a result, those churches are in moral decline themselves.

   It would probably be difficult to find a straightforward sermon on sin in many churches today.  How ironic!  The church is supposed to be the guardian of truth (1 Tim. 3:15) and a mentor on righteous living.  But many churches have abandoned those responsibilities and are contributing to the collapse of our nation’s culture.  Sin separates a person from God (Isa. 59:1-2).
   It is almost impossible to misunderstand what God’s word says pertaining to an active homosexual lifestyle.  It is clearly, emphatically called “shameful” (Rom. 1:27) and an “abomination” before God (Lev. 18:22; 20:13).  Gay marriage naturally falls under the same condemnation.  But to speak out against homosexuality is to invite the vigorous wrath of the PC crowd and to be labeled a hateful homophobe.  So, many churches have set aside the clear teaching of scripture and condoned this form of sexual immorality.  Solomon warned, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” (Prov. 14:34).
   The sanctity of marriage has been deemphasized by our culture.  Couples living together outside of marriage is accepted as normal, maybe even healthy.  But God’s word labels it “fornication” or “sexual immorality” and condemns it repeatedly, stating that such a lifestyle will keep a person out of Heaven (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-6; Col. 3:4-5; Rev. 21:8).  It also contributes to the breakdown of the home within society, a major factor in the ultimate collapse of our culture. 
   It weakens the moral integrity of the church.  People are led to believe they can live a godly life while, at the same time, living in outright sin before God.  But calling such a relationship sinful is seen as old-fashioned, narrow-minded, judgmental.  Where’s the clear teaching from churches?  Ignoring the problem, giving it a wink and a nod, gives the appearance of tacit approval.
   Abortion is another moral issue that has been clouded by political correctness.  A number of Bible characters are referenced as God having a purpose for them from the time of their mother’s womb (Gen. 25:23; Jgs. 13:5, 7; 16:17; Ps. 22:10; Isa. 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; Lk. 1:15, 41; Gal. 1:15).  But to declare abortion to be immoral is to be accused of hating women.  Abortion is being used, largely, as a means of birth control.  That there is life in the womb, a life in addition to that of the mother’s own body, is medically undeniable.  But the PC position is that a mother should be able to “choose” to end that life at any point up to giving birth.  It is more politically correct to oppose abuse of animals than to protect the life of a baby in the womb!
   It’s time for churches to stand up against the ideology of political correctness and tear down that idol.  A voluntary prayer cannot be said on a High School football field, a child cannot read a Bible in his classroom during free time, an employee cannot have a Bible laying on his desk at work, or talk to a co-worker about the Bible on break, because somebody else might be offended.  This is the insane level that political correctness has reached in our nation!
   The next article will consider ways in which political correctness has specifically affected the Lord’s church…