LEADER TIMES WEEKEND RELIGION COLUMN FOR
December 28, 2013 by William H. Scarle, Jr.
“Political correctness” is one of those weasel phrases that are often used to disguise the fact that a person or organization is making a moral choice. Politics, at least in our country, is still a matter of democracy. It has to do with what the people want. Morality, on the other hand, is not a matter of public opinion but of moral law, at least for those who still believe in a Creator. The God who created the law of gravity and the second law of thermal dynamics also structured the universe morally. Increasingly this is becoming an embarrassment to the liberal establishment.
On the one hand those who want to change the laws of morality which have been the bedrock of Western civilization for some 3500 years from Moses, through the Prophets and Apostles, the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, the Talmud and the history of the Church, do not want to say directly that there is no God, or that morality is simply a matter of cultural consensus. They would rather try to change the category of the discussion. If the subject under consideration is classified as a political matter, a matter of “political correctness,” we can avoid the accusation that we are pushing immorality.
A classic example of these ethical gymnastics came up last week in the firing of Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty for quoting from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Church (6:9 & 10) in answer to a specific question by his interviewer for Gentlemen’s Quarterly. He was asked by Drew Magry, “What, in your mind, is sinful?” The list of sins given by Rabbi Shaul (The Apostle Paul for most of us) includes a clear reference to homosexuality. That was a “politically correct no no.” The statement by Arts and Entertainment explaining why they fired Phil includes the following. “We have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.” Just what do the words “strong supporters” mean in this context? No one questioned anyone’s right to vote or anyone’s right to free speech or even anyone’s right to choose a life style that deviates from the majority. In the printed interview in GQ Phil makes clear, “We never ever judge anyone…That’s the Almighty’s job. We just love ‘em and give ‘em the good news about Jesus.” This, however, was not enough for the LGBT community who put pressure on A&E to fire Phil.
Let it be clearly understood that A&E is a private company and has every right to hire and fire whomever they please. The problem here is not a matter of free speech or political rights. The issue is that a moral decision is being disguised as a political decision. Phil Robertson quoted the Bible which clearly states that homosexuality is a sin, is behavior contrary to the will of God. If he is fired by his employer for agreeing with that statement then his employer is saying that homosexual behavior is not a sin and is perfectly acceptable. A&E is taking a moral position, which they have a right to do under our constitution. But, let it be clear, that in doing so they separate themselves from the moral teaching of both Judaism and Christianity and most of the religions of the world.
What the outcome of such a decision will be depends in large measure on the viewing audience. A&E might want to consider Phil Robertson’s remarks on repentance.
(Bill Scarle can be contacted at ravscarle@verizon.net). END-whs