Prior to his death in 2018, Charles Krauthammer was a columnist for the Washington Post. In a 2014 article he described a growing authoritarianism:
Opponents of leftist ideology were being marginalized and shunned, destroyed personally and professionally. The left is entering a new phase of ideological agitation – no longer trying to win the debate but stopping debate altogether, banishing from public discourse any and all opposition. The proper word for that attitude is totalitarian. It declares certain controversies over and visits serious consequences – from social ostracism to vocational defenestration – upon those who refuse to be silenced.[1]
Currently cake designers and wedding photographers are repetitively sued with the intent of destroying them financially. People lose their jobs, careers and vocations for any association with ideological ideas that leftist disapprove of. Holding unapproved positions on abortion, borders, Covid, education, government, guns, marriage, religion or sexuality can be costly.
Recently Ivan Provorov, a Russian Orthodox man, playing for the Philadelphia Flyers came into the crosshairs of the LGBTQ+ community. As a Christian he believes homosexuality is sinful. Therefore, he could not support the team’s LGBTQ+ Pride Night by wearing an LGBTQ+ Jersey or rainbow wrapped hockey stick. He stated that he respects everyone but in order to stay true to himself and his religion he declined to take part in the warm up portion of the event. Provorov is opposed to compelled actions. While he grants others the right to be who they are, he desires the right to be who he is. This is the same logic that caused Jordan Peterson to oppose compelled speech. This reasonable position is supported by the NHL.
“You Can Play,” NHL’s longtime LGBTQ+ social activism partner was displeased by Provorov’s failure to participate in the warm up. “You Can Play” COO Kurt Weaver claimed to be disappointed in the manner that the coach and team handled the situation. Weaver believed Provorov’s actions damaged the concept of a team. He asks what team cohesion means to the coaches. Clearly, he feels Provorov should not have a choice in the matter. He also inferred that Provorov’s not appearing in the warm up was a failure to do his job. Weaver offered the support of his organization in retraining Provorov. Clearly, Weaver does not support the right of individuals to make their own moral choices. He would compel Provorov to conform or be removed.
In one especially interesting sentence Weaver stated, “Players who do this sort of thing have a very short perspective on what it means. For me, religion is about charity and inclusion,” Weaver either misrepresents the teaching of Christianity or is unaware. Christianity is far more than an interest in charity and inclusion. Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Christians strive to know and become like Jesus. A large portion of determining how to live is becoming familiar with the teachings of Scripture and conforming our lives to them.
We are seeing a clash between the freedom of religion and rights. Will our right to practice our faith be compromised? Will Christians have to conform to LGBTQ+ demands? Democrats and classic liberals no longer support freedom. Instead, they have given way to a totalitarian impulse. Those supporting leftist ideology initially requested tolerance. Later they insisted on some level of acceptance. Now, they demand active support. While claiming to seek full diversity, they accept only those who are aligned with them.
Christians are compelled to follow Christ. For us compromise is not an option. Krauthammer’s suggestion still seems pertinent. Resist intrusions into freedom and support those who are being targeted. Remember the reward of passivity is tyranny.
[1] https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/2014/04/10/krauthammer-totalitarian-impulse-spreading/7567351/ accessed 1/25/2023
Leave a comment