Cancel Culture

What comes to mind when you read the words “Cancel Culture”?  Is this a more positive or negative concept in your mind?

Decades ago, the cancel culture movement was about undoing social injustice with an aim for progress and change. The idea is now often used to shame, silence and negate someone’s beliefs or conduct. The new cancel culture often results in people being ostracized, their reputations smeared, and careers ruined. It makes no difference that that no laws have been broken or any malicious behavior occurred if their beliefs are counter to the most popular cultural opinions that rule the day.

The current environment was produced by postmodernism that has made truth subjective. It has been additionally fueled by political correctness that polices speech and traditional ideas.  A quick check of social media on any given day provides plenty of evidence that this new cancel culture is prevalent and part of the culture wars that competing worldviews hold.

We live in a time where social media has offered everyone a megaphone without any requirement for truth or well-informed opinions.  This dynamic has been part of the shift away from accountability to more of mob rule based on instant judgment, personal perceptions and the number of followers someone has online.

Evangelism has not been exempt from this phenomenon. Because cancel culture is often judgmental, rash, unforgiving and spiteful we see many Christians being intimidated from sharing their beliefs publicly. Traditional biblical values and faith are increasingly viewed as narrow minded or uninformed as culture tries to redefine the meaning of truth, gender, identity and even life.

Christian ministries certainly see more than their fair share of those that want to cancel us. We strongly believe anonymity can foster open, honest and transparent conversation with those seeking to find hope. However, the flip side of that is people can come online and be hateful using words they would never use face-to-face.

We never pretend sharing the Gospel is easy. We encourage you to pray for future conversations knowing some will be with those filled with misinformation and even hate. Seek God’s protection so you can continue to share Jesus with grace and love while maintaining the truth of His Word. Do not let those that desire to cancel dissuade you from the call to make disciples. We pray that you would never allow the fear of increased hostility or even persecution change the Gospel message.