When the Bible is Hate Speech - Benjamin Watson

When the Bible is Hate Speech - Benjamin Watson

 As America descends into what many researchers describe as a post Christian landscape, expected consequences of this cultural shift have become even more apparent. From the halls of congress to the boisterous halls of the nation’s 130,000 schools, the accepted and legal norms of behavior reflect this documented change in morality, or at least echoing the loudest voices from the most prominent bully pulpits. To be honest, I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing. Light always shines brighter in the darkness, and the American church, unlike most of our predecessors in church history and contemporary believers around the world, has experienced a bubble of protection and prosperity that makes disciple-making foreign and suffering anathema. In NO WAY do I yearn for New Testament-type persecution, but I cannot ignore how persecution not only spread the Gospel but deepened the faith of God’s people under the oppressor’s thumb.

“Hate” is the word of the last decade. Eliminating it has been the genesis of a crusade of acceptance and inclusivity of people from all ethnicities, classes, convictions, and lifestyles. Inherent human dignity demands that every man, woman, and child be respected and treated justly, especially in a republic built on the professed, if not practiced, ideals of equality under God. Much of this necessary, overdue work is to be genuinely applauded. And hate speech, the overflow of a hateful heart has no place in the public discourse, the workplace, the schoolhouse, and the church house.

Recently a pastor who also works as a realtor was accused of violating a hate speech ethics rule when he withdrew his church from a food-assistance program that distributed fliers promoting PRIDE week and LGBTQ rights, saying it was contrary to the church’s biblical doctrine.

Clinton Community Church

The Clinton, Montana church proceeded to distribute 680 free lunches on their own and released a statement affirming their love for the community they have been commissioned to serve. This is not the first example of a church, pastor, or business that has fallen into the crosshairs of hate speech lawsuit, and it most certainly will not be the last. Increasingly, scripture has been scrutinized, and adherence to it has been labeled as hate. There is palpable concern among pastors and congregations that soon, the state will monitor sermons, and church leaders may be fined or incarcerated for delivering the Word of God in truth and not kowtowing to trend.

In a pluralistic nation, there are three concerns we must face. First, the intentional misapplication and weaponization of scripture to exploit people in this country is a primary factor in the present attempt to label the Bible as a book of bigotry. Though the 66 books of the Bible do not teach hate for humankind, professed believers, who are the earthly ambassadors of Christ, have done so. If we use scripture to justify discrimination and favoritism, why would a visceral rejection of all things Bible be a surprise? Christians must confront and condemn this legacy, or they lack credibility in today’s culture.

Secondly, understand that repeated accusations do not make them valid. Desensitization, jamming, and coercion are all tactics to evolve public opinion to achieve a desired outcome. The most effective method to combat this is an objective posture toward the facts, especially when expounding religious beliefs. Contrary to what culture may claim, it is possible to hate behavior and not people. Jesus demonstrated it, and scripture commands it. Sometimes we just fail miserably at following those directives. If hatred fills your heart, repent from it and seek peace. But never allow false accusations to speak with definitive authority.

Finally, the framers did not get everything right, but they did have the foresight to establish religious liberty as the bedrock of this new civilization. Contrary to popular belief, freedom OF religious exercise is not the same thing as freedom FROM it. Pastors have as much right to express their religious views from the pulpit as others have to reject it. Everyday citizens are afforded the autonomy to choose their convictions and live accordingly. Americans across the spectrum should fervently protect this principle. Let compassion for the plight of people and a desire for peace accompany courage to stand firm in preparation as the battle intensifies. And if at some point in America, the Bible is deemed to be hate speech and those who believe and live by the text are branded as criminals, it won’t be the first time. Be not dismayed.