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Political correctness - can you legislate tolerance?

by Mal Fletcher, Next Wave International
Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 14:24 (BST)
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Pluralism says that all notions of truth are equally true; all lifestyles and belief systems are equally valid; all roads lead to the same destination. Secularism removes the sacred from society; it insists that religious principles should play no part in shaping public policy.

It's the marriage of pluralism and secularism that's given birth to political correctness. Some social commentators are saying that this marriage is also weakening our ability to think critically, to apply reason in problem situations. Critical thinking involves being able to see the principles behind an argument and to decipher whether it is consistent or not.

Pluralism, when it is divorced from boundaries or spiritual values, leads to a form of cultural schizophrenia.

If we're not careful, we end up saying, with great conviction, that we believe two totally contradictory things at the same time. It's as if we're trying to map society's future with a compass that says north is in two completely different directions. This can tear a society apart.

Political correctness is in part, I think, an attempt to give secularised Western society the values of tolerance, courtesy and respect that were traditionally provided by its Judeo-Christian heritage.

But political correctness tries to legislate tolerance, ignoring the fact that compassion and respect for others begin in the heart - they often come out of deeply held spiritual values.

Before societies can change for the better, we must change. The biggest problems of our time are problems of the human heart. We won't bring lasting change to global warming without a fundamental change to human greed. We can't end racism without a change to human distrust and fear. We'll never make poverty history unless there's a fundamental change to human selfishness.

None of these problems can be solved by passing laws alone.

About Mal Fletcher:

Mal Fletcher (www.malfletcher.net) is a Christian author, business and media consultant, global speaker and broadcaster currently based in London. He was formerly National Director of the faith-based organisation Youth Alive Australia before going on to found the forward-looking communications company Next Wave International (www.nextwaveonline.com) and the annual European summit for community and church leaders, the Strategic Leadership Consultation.

Copyright: Mal Fletcher, printed with permission



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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.

Added: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 11:54 (BST)

I wonder how common plural-ISM is, or how powerful it is as a driving force. A belief that others' beliefs are as right as yours doesn't sound very motivational or problematical. Migration, bringing groups with strong but different and possibly mutually antagonistic beliefs into close contact with each other in the same community, however presents a major challenge - to find a way in which passionate faith groups with mutually exclusive beliefs can share the same society.

This applies to inter-faith relations and across the religion / secular-scientific divide.

Jethro, Dunblane, Scotland

Added: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 16:18 (BST)

I agree that you can't legislate that change which we know as repentance and rebirth. Only God can do that.

I do not see the need in demonizing pluralism or secularism as if they are the obstacle to the reign of God. Will there be no pluralism in paradise? Will the source of all that is deemed secular not be revealed as sacred to the one who seeks repentance and new life?

revtj, Atlanta USA

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