Political Correctness

I was talking to a good friend last night, and realised how much I hate political correctness, and how much it has crept into the way we think and talk in the church.

Political correctness means we cannot describe persons of other races as being from different races, or even persons of different genders as being of different genders. It means we cannot say something is good without also having to say the alternatives are also good, and nothing is allowed to be the best. It means we cannot say something is wrong, just that "it is not best for me". Political correctness has meant that Christians in this country have bowed down in "multifaith" services 'cos we are so tolerant of other religions that we are scared to say Jesus IS the way and IS different and Christianity is NOT "the same as all the others really".

How it gets into the church is when we find we are not able to celebrate each others differentness.

Here's one example:
God created a man and a woman and intended them to be different. He did not try to make another man, go a bit wrong, and decide to call this new being a woman. Adam was made in the image of God, he reflected the fullness of God, part of Adam was taken to make Eve, so each then contained a part of the image of God. Each reflected God, but each had something the other did not. Neither was inferior. They were equal and different.
Men and Women in the church are equal but different. We don't need to be defensive. We don't need to get into women's rights. We need not be insecure about male leadership. The world has tried to make "equality" and the result (allowing for a bit of exaggeration here) is butch women and weak men.
We are not perfect in the church 'cos obviously we are not in Eden any more, but we should be able to allow the genders to be who they really are in God. To let men be strong and lead and express God the Father to a fatherless generation. To let women express their femininity and the more sensitive side of God's nature.

This is another example:
We make quite an effort in our church to include and motivate young people. But then we end up stereotyping them and assume that all young people want noise and drama and excitement. Maybe they do, but be prepared that maybe they don't
And the older generation. Don't presume that after a certain age people are only fit for the armchair. Some folk are fit and active well into retirement, but also be prepared to accept that old age does bring limitations, and don't be too scared to go a bit slower to care for those who need it.
The thing is, don't be so politically correct that you cannot celebrate the energy of youth without feeling the older folk will feel left out. And don't be so scared of calling some folk "old" that you cannot help people enjoy the blessing of their senior years and share their wisdom from long lives spent with God.

And other hot potato: Marriage versus Celibacy.
Why does it even have to be "versus"? They are different callings. They are both blessed by God. OK, so choosing one excludes the other, but because you have got married does not mean you cannot support and esteem celibacy and being celibate does not mean you look down on people who have got married.
I have chosen celibacy because for me I believe this is the path God wants me on. I believe I will achieve more as a celibate than I would as a wife and mother. That does not make marriage and motherhood inferior.
I know some amazing married people, and some people who really struggle with married life.
I know some amazing celibates, and some people who have given up on celibacy.
I seen celibates who are scared to share the wealth of their gifting because somone will feel inferior and shout them down saying "marriage is just as good you know"
I have also seen married people who felt guilty and spent all their time wondering if their marriage is just a compromise and they should really have been celibate 'cos it is "the higher way".

God is big.
When we say something is "best" we mean it is "better than...".
When God calls someone to "do their best for Him", He does not mean that they are "better than" anybody else. We can all be the best we can for God!