The expression “cancel culture” has become a weapon. Some use it for those who they claim do it, while others use it disparage those who think cancel culture is some kind of political movement. Cancel culture is real. Photo by Resource Database™ on Unsplash
Interesting points. There is definitely a vindictiveness to much of “cancel culture.” I also think it can be quiet and backhanded. I believe it often does know what it wants: to “get rid” of the opposition, to shut it down, to dominate.
Very interesting. We, religious folk ought to be discussing things like “cancel culture.”
My mother was cancelled by many in her Greek-American extended family, after, at the age of 12, she left the Greek Orthodox Church to become Roman Catholic. Her aunts wouldn’t talk to her at all. BUT, as a kid, when I would go stay at my Greek grandmother’s, part of my stay was visiting all of my mother’s aunts, so they could find out how my parents and my five siblings were doing.
When my nearly 16 year old girlfriend became pregnant, things were tenuous for about a month, then we married and we’re closer to everybody forever. Nobody cancelled us, not even my Greek great and great-great aunts in St. Louis!
When we decided to have our first child “Dedicated”, rather than “Baptized into The Roman Catholic Church”, my dad, who was also my boss, “cancelled me for about 12 hours by firing me and not facing me until I left work, went to my parents home and my mom and I gave him no choice but to work it out.
About six years later, our family business was, in essence, cancelled when, due to a number of factor, our viable business lost suppliers and financial backing for reasons that mirror cancel culture “reasons” for cancelling.
As a pastor, I’ve been “cancelled” many times. In each moment of being “cancelled” as a pastor, many of my previous life experiences taught me to evaluate the seriousness of the situation, always attempt to discuss the issues toward seeking a solution, and when it ultimately resulted in a “cancelling”, let it go because there’s, almost, always the next pitch, at bat, or game, or any metaphor we want to use. The Hebrew National Hot Dog motto never fails - we serve a higher power. I like the stories of Jesus’ miracles as a problem solving model: unity and Gaithersburg in a higher purpose, with a willingness, and follow-through to bless and ask God to bless the situation.
Thanks for this very insightful and thought provoking post!
I heard an excellent interview with a lady who’s “job” was to call out people. She talked about how she got close to destroying many on social media, until one day she was challenged and discovered that in this situation at least, she was wrong. She was so shook by the experience that she changed her organization and purpose in life and now heads up a “call in” organization. When she or her organization hears about something “wrong” or questionable, they call up the person, invite them to a one-on-one conversation to get to know them, correctly understand them, and if appropriate, work to change their view. Either way, the commitment is to no longer destroy people, but ti get to know them. A much better approach.
This post was thoughtful and thought provoking. For me, social media isn't the place to have difficult or challenging conversations. Of course, in person confrontation has its challenges as well. as Greg shared. I sometimes read the comments from posts online and the different tones are fascinating There are some online spaces (people) that are respectful and able to maintain good boundaries as people with differing perspectives comment, while others do not seem open to disagreement at all or have boundaries that attempt to maintain respect.
I think this is a three read. Thanks.... alot to consider in our time if we are to live and communicate in ways that reflect the Jesus we follow.
Interesting points. There is definitely a vindictiveness to much of “cancel culture.” I also think it can be quiet and backhanded. I believe it often does know what it wants: to “get rid” of the opposition, to shut it down, to dominate.
Very interesting. We, religious folk ought to be discussing things like “cancel culture.”
My mother was cancelled by many in her Greek-American extended family, after, at the age of 12, she left the Greek Orthodox Church to become Roman Catholic. Her aunts wouldn’t talk to her at all. BUT, as a kid, when I would go stay at my Greek grandmother’s, part of my stay was visiting all of my mother’s aunts, so they could find out how my parents and my five siblings were doing.
When my nearly 16 year old girlfriend became pregnant, things were tenuous for about a month, then we married and we’re closer to everybody forever. Nobody cancelled us, not even my Greek great and great-great aunts in St. Louis!
When we decided to have our first child “Dedicated”, rather than “Baptized into The Roman Catholic Church”, my dad, who was also my boss, “cancelled me for about 12 hours by firing me and not facing me until I left work, went to my parents home and my mom and I gave him no choice but to work it out.
About six years later, our family business was, in essence, cancelled when, due to a number of factor, our viable business lost suppliers and financial backing for reasons that mirror cancel culture “reasons” for cancelling.
As a pastor, I’ve been “cancelled” many times. In each moment of being “cancelled” as a pastor, many of my previous life experiences taught me to evaluate the seriousness of the situation, always attempt to discuss the issues toward seeking a solution, and when it ultimately resulted in a “cancelling”, let it go because there’s, almost, always the next pitch, at bat, or game, or any metaphor we want to use. The Hebrew National Hot Dog motto never fails - we serve a higher power. I like the stories of Jesus’ miracles as a problem solving model: unity and Gaithersburg in a higher purpose, with a willingness, and follow-through to bless and ask God to bless the situation.
Thanks for this very insightful and thought provoking post!
I heard an excellent interview with a lady who’s “job” was to call out people. She talked about how she got close to destroying many on social media, until one day she was challenged and discovered that in this situation at least, she was wrong. She was so shook by the experience that she changed her organization and purpose in life and now heads up a “call in” organization. When she or her organization hears about something “wrong” or questionable, they call up the person, invite them to a one-on-one conversation to get to know them, correctly understand them, and if appropriate, work to change their view. Either way, the commitment is to no longer destroy people, but ti get to know them. A much better approach.
This post was thoughtful and thought provoking. For me, social media isn't the place to have difficult or challenging conversations. Of course, in person confrontation has its challenges as well. as Greg shared. I sometimes read the comments from posts online and the different tones are fascinating There are some online spaces (people) that are respectful and able to maintain good boundaries as people with differing perspectives comment, while others do not seem open to disagreement at all or have boundaries that attempt to maintain respect.
Thanks for this. Great points.