Being Right is Not Wrong

Whether it is abortion, euthanasia, sexual preference or a different moral issue, the words “Slippery Slope” will inevitably appear in the debate, often from the side wishing for a more traditional/conservative approach. The homosexual rights that appeared in Canada in the 1990’s came from small changes to the Human Rights Code. The addition of “Sexual Orientation” to the code made way for legal challenges to other laws eventually leading to a clear change in the definition of marriage.

When the initial change was made, the “slippery slope” outcry was fierce. Petitions from religious congegrations and some ethnic groups flew into Ottawa warning about going down the path, wanting to protect against pushing our moral compass down the cliff side. The politicians that were for the changes said that it was fear mongering and that the change was necessary to protect the special interest group from hate crimes, regardless of the fact that laws were already in place for this.

The liberalization of Canada took place over 13 years of Liberal Party control. The Conservative party is back in place but it is pretty clear that the party is not made up of enough socially conservative politicians to ram through changes to the laws to “institute morality” back into Canada.

As a Christian, I am not surprised that Canada is falling apart morally. It is written in the Bible that in the last days, the moral compass would point downhill and that sin would become accepted and even promoted which happens daily in our public schools. It doesn’t mean that Christians should sit back and bemoan the loss of morality. In fact, it is clear that our responsibility is to reverse the slope.

How can Christians do this in Canada? How can a small minority go against the mightier foe that took us down the hill in the first place?

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places….

This verse in Ephesians 6:12 makes it clear that we are to focus on the spiritual battle. If we focus on prayer, fasting and obeying the commands the Bible gives us as Christians, we will be starting the process of reversing the slippery slope. If we were to be more like Jesus, and less like Peter cutting off the soldiers ear, we would see more individuals come into the kingdom.

The homosexual movement began as a very small group of people that made it their goal to impact culture by taking away the stigma associated with the action. When they were able to make it seem like it wasn’t as bad as previously thought, they were then able to make it acceptable and soon after, a legitimate sexual preference. They did this through their use of the media’s ability to transform culture.

From Seinfeld’s “Not there’s anything wrong with that” quote to the sitcom, Will and Grace, the media has changed the way culture looks upon homosexuality.

Touched by an Angel and Seventh Heaven are two examples of Christians trying to impact culture through the media but we have not seen it occur.

Personally, I don’t think strategically using the media to impact culture will work unless Christians do a better job of promoting the qualities that Jesus did. Love and acceptance are two qualities that Jesus portrayed. If you ask the average person on the street if Christians are loving, I highly doubt you will get a “yes” answer.

Begin the reversal of the slippery slope in your own life. Be more like Jesus nations will be transformed.

When I was back at Briercrest College, I took a class called Apologetics. It basically was about how one was to defend their faith when presented with arguments from a different point of view. If Christianity is based on truth, which I believe it is, then I should be able to back it up.

I had to write a paper while I was there, I think it was even in that class, on Principled Pluralism and whether I thought it was right or wrong.

Principled Pluralism is coming from the point of view that in a pluralistic society, where there are many options on what people can believe, it is important to stand up for the right to believe what you want.

Some would use the word tolerance, although that word has taken on a different meaning in the last decade. It used to be that tolerance was allowing someone to have a belief or action and not persecuting them for it. Intolerance was persecuting one for their belief or action.

These days, intolerance also includes those who do not change their beliefs to fit into the current beliefs of society. If I was to believe something that goes against the way society is changing, my view would not be tolerated the same way as others. People may allow me the right to believe it, but I would not be given the right to speak my belief.

If you don’t agree with this, simply wear a “Homosexuality is Wrong” shirt to an NDP convention and let me know how many people tolerated you.

Do I believe in Principled Pluralism?

In a democratic country, the laws and public morality that society is required to live by is set by those who started the country and then changed by “the people” through their representatives that they voted in.

I’m in the country and I have to live by its laws. Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of the Constitution in this country.

Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

1. freedom of conscience and religion;
2. freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
3. freedom of peaceful assembly; and
4. freedom of association.

As you can see, principled pluralism is based on point 2, “Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression.” As long as this remains in the constitution and the laws reflect it, not only do I have to live by it, but I can take advantage of it.

You see, I am a Christian and part of what I believe is the requirement and desire for Christians to share what they believe with others. Principled pluralism allows me to do that without fear of persecution. Of course, as a Christian I know that eventually, persecution will occur. For now, I’ll stick by principled pluralism, even with its drawbacks, which are a subject of another essay.