Usually when someone uses the term “politically correct” it is followed by eye-rolling, head-shaking, snorts, laughs, and other sounds of derision.
So, I looked up the definition of politically correct. According to Merriam-Webster it is “agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.”
So, my question is, what’s wrong with that? What is so bad about being politically correct? Do we want to go around offending people? Do we think that we should have the right to do that? Or should we be sensitive to others? Should we try to walk in their shoes? Should we try to see things as others might see them?
Didn’t Paul say, “I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some”? (1 Cor. 9:22) That sounds like being “politically correct” to me.
Didn’t Jesus say, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”? (Matt. 22:39) That sounds to me like we should be careful of the type of language we use, making sure that it is loving, which I think includes being sensitive to others’ feelings.
To me, it seems that Christians should be leading the way in wanting to use language that is inclusive and kind and generous toward others. We should be laying our lives down for others, letting go of ourselves in order to reach out to others, and loving in a way that attracts others to Jesus.
I think I’ll join the “politically correct” crowd.
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