Articles
Inclusiveness
Inclusiveness is a term frequently heard in the culture war. This benign-sounding word taps into the specter of ethnic discrimination. To be exclusive is to discriminate, and the emotional climate in our society is that no one should be excluded for anything – oh, unless your 6-year-old points his finger and says “Bang!” at school or tries to hold the hand of his cute little classmate. The truth is that many who decry exclusion exclude what doesn’t fit their ideology. But I digress.
We must be inclusive, the protocol police tell us. Which means that the clergyman who was originally scheduled to say a prayer at the inauguration was disinvited when it was learned that he had years ago spoken about the militant advancement of homosexuality. He was not “inclusive,” so he was … excluded. Hmmm.
The forces at work – in this case the pro-homosexual advocates – are powerful, aggressive, unyielding and relentless. Some march, scream, expose themselves in public, intimidate, name-call, lie about data. They promote their cause without scruple or common decency. Another strain of advocacy takes a different tack. The entertainment industry portrays homosexuality as normal, even attractive, using the subtle power of sympathy, beauty and humor to market it. This spectrum of forces – comedians, singers, actors, judges, politicians and even our president – are winning the cultural battle.
It is popular to be inclusive – or at least give the impression that one is. My sense is that many don’t speak their true feelings but rather toe the party line to protect their careers or reputations or voting constituencies. But this in itself is dangerous, for such influence shapes public policy. Paul not only condemned the active sinner but says that some “not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Rom. 1:32). The advocates of evil are strong.
