The polite way to tell someone to, “Shut up,” used to be: “Keep your religion private.” For a few decades, Christians faithfully obeyed this societal law and remained silent about stuff like abortion and same sex marriage. We focused on creating a welcoming culture in preparation for the day when bedraggled sinners would stumble through the church door and be swept into the arms of Jesus by our excellent worship experience.
Right now, I’m not going to argue whether or not it was a good decision to retreat from public discourse in order to convert our churches into (mostly) alcohol-free saloons that don’t charge a cover. (But I’m reserving the right to return to this topic.) I’m writing to let you know that it’s not enough to keep your religion to yourself anymore.
Today, the polite way to tell someone to, “Shut up,” is: “Don’t politicize [x].” The ‘x’ will be replaced with whatever issue that you’re not allowed to speak about.
Don’t politicize abortion.
Don’t politicize poverty.
Don’t politicize education.
The command to “not make this political,” is more flexible than a rubber gymnast. It can be used to make any subject off limits. It is especially effective when combined with hysteria. Demanding that we not politicize some emotionally charged issue is an excellent way to yell, “SHUT UP!” at opposing views while maintaining the appearance of thoughtfulness and compassion. You will also gain approval from millions of hysterical people.
Heads-up to my fellow Christians that some influential church-type people are embracing this powerful technique. You can find this version of “SHUT UP!” right alongside admonitions to love your neighbor. To be clear, mentioning that you have been vaxxed is, “politicizing the vaccine.” Skipping the vaccine is not loving your neighbor. So, no matter what you do, you’re wrong.
When you remove “religion” from the conversation, then everything in the conversation becomes “political.” The same people who told you to keep your religion private are telling you that moral issues are too important to be politicized. What are you supposed to do?
You’re supposed to just shut up.
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves…They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!”
– 2 Peter 2:1-
