What is meant by being woke?
I presume that the term “woke” arose from the view that a person has awoken to the plight of others. That’s a great sentiment and is consistent with the Christian view of the world.
Philippians 2:4 – Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
The term ‘woke’ originally described a person who was socially aware of, and active, in regard to addressing racial injustice and inequality. Its meaning has in recent years expanded to refer to the awareness of injustice affecting minorities in our society. In particular it now actively targets prejudice and discrimination in the areas of race, sexual preference and gender. There is also a link to the political correctness movement.
I believe that people who are woke have their heart in the right place. The terms ‘woke’ and ‘political correctness’ are, however, often viewed negatively.
What’s wrong with being woke?
Proverbs 31:8-9 – Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
There is nothing wrong with being aware of and seeking to address injustice and discrimination. Problems have arisen, however, where ‘woke’ individuals have made unreasonable demands in regard to language use or made derogatory comment about those who have contrary views.
It’s not my intention to vilify or criticise people who happen to be woke. Instead I feel that I should point out that there have become polarised views on the topic. Much of what occurs is, I believe, due to misunderstanding of each other’s view.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
How human nature gets in the way
In an effort to present an argument in favour of a particular point of view it seems to be a human characteristic to denigrate those with opposing views. But putting others down is never a good way to elevate your own position. That approach shows the weakness of your argument. It demonstrates that it will not stand on its own merit. Putting others down is an attempt to make you appear better than others. It is driven by ego and self-interest, not on love for others.
Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
So, in summary, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with being woke or being anti-woke. What’s important is to show that both sides care about the well-being of others in their communities. The problems arise due to the way in which we as human beings react to issues of significance.
Romans 2:11 – For God shows no partiality.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
I don’t have much to say on the matter of diversity, equity and inclusion. They are desirable aims and supported in principle. How could anyone argue that the acceptance of others is undesirable?
However, giving preference to anyone on the basis of their race, sexual orientation or gender identity is doomed to failure. It is an approach that has been used by some companies to achieve greater diversity of the workforce. But it fails to recognise that selection based on merit is the fairest approach.
The key is not to place value on race, sexual orientation or gender, or to denigrate people on such matters, but rather to appoint staff based only on merit.
Is Christianity anti-woke?
I don’t believe that true Christianity is anti-woke. Christ recognised that we all have faults. He identified that we can be saved from eternal damnation if in our hearts we truly believe in and follow him. It is only by the grace of God and through Christ’s mercy that we can move into a higher spiritual realm.
Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Some people will stress that the Bible identifies that God created humans only as man and woman. That is true and all that is saying is that it was the original design. It is how things were meant to be. The Bible also identifies that marriage is between a man and a woman and that when joined together the two become one. It also identifies that same sex practices are wrong. That is, not in keeping with the original design.
Christ’s teaching is also that we should not be judgemental. None of us are able to live up to God’s expectations, as we all have a tendency to sin.
Luke 6:37 – Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven
What drives anti-Christian behaviour?
In commentary on LGBTQIA+ relationships I have seen many people vilify the religious fraternity. That is, by describing them as intolerant, hypocritical, self-righteous and holding onto an outdated and ‘holier than thou’ attitude. People supporting LGBTQIA+ relationships have described them as loving and a normal part of an accepting society.
I have no doubt that LGBTQIA+ individuals do feel that way. Also that they have existed for a very long time in human history. The comment that they are not “normal” would be upsetting to most people. But for people with different backgrounds the term normal has a different meaning.
To me “normal” does not mean real or having existence. It means fitting what is commonplace. To those people with a technical or mathematical background I refer you to the typical bell-shaped normal distribution curve. What is “normal” refers to “the norm”. It does not refer to the less usual positions at either ends of the scale.
Mankind developed the distribution curve. It recognises that there is variability in any human population.
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
What is perfect?
God is simply saying that the way things were originally designed was perfection.
If people are seeking something they perceive as better than this then they demonstrate that they have not accepted God as the supreme being. They are seeking something at the highest level but claiming that they know better than God. Nothing that is created by man is greater than what was created by God.
Psalm 18:30 – This God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
Certainly the parading of an abnormal sexual preference and the promotion of it as normal to vulnerable undeveloped children in schools is not appropriate. The bible identifies that a sexual relationship is private and between an adult married couple.
Is Christianity outdated?
If anyone treats people badly because of their race, sexual orientation or gender identity that is a human failing. It is not a fault of Christianity. True Christianity accepts all people as equal in the eyes of God. It identifies that we all have faults and teaches us to be non-judgemental and accepting of all others despite their failings. It’s all about love and not about hate.
The first great commandment is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
1 John 4:16 – So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Christianity is certainly not outdated. After all it is based on reality, truth and sacrificial love and if you study it rather than study those who have failed to apply it correctly you will find how relevant it is to our everyday life.
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