Cancel Culture?!
I learnt a new phrase off the Television the other night. The phrase is ‘Cancel Culture’. Great! This is really good news. There are times in our life when we need a fresh start and to have our past cancelled. A culture of forgiveness and reconciliation. But no.. that is not what ‘Cancel culture’ is at all. In fact it is literally the opposite. This is how Wikipedia (source of all knowledge and fount of all wisdom) defines ‘Cancel Culture’.
Cancel culture (or call-out culture) is a form of ostracism in which someone is thrust out of social or professional circles online on social media, in the real world, or both. Those who are subject to this ostracism are said to be “canceled."
I find this abhorrent and indefensible for several reasons.
- First, it does not allow a person to move on and start afresh. Everyone reading this article has made blunders and a new beginning is one of the precious necessities of living in a community where we ‘bump’ into one another.
- Secondly, we are not defined as a person by the mistakes we make. We are infinitely valuable as human beings. We are immeasurably loved by the Master. The church should be making that visible in the everyday life of the community in which she serves.
- Thirdly, it makes no account for that unseen but heroic process of learning from your mistakes. People often come out better, stronger and wiser having fallen from grace. They learn what not do and how to avoid making the same mistake again. Such folk are the most compassionate and healing souls for others who find themselves bruised and in the dust.
The Cancel Culture is counter to the Christian Culture We must never define others and especially ourselves, by what is past.