Posted on 09/20/2022 9:27:41 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Nearly half of Evangelical leaders said in a new survey that they have been disinvited, blacklisted or excluded because of their point of view or “guilt by association,” according to the National Association of Evangelicals.
The NAE's July/August Evangelical Leaders Survey revealed that 48% of Evangelical leaders said they have been “canceled” by others “as a way of expressing their disapproval for the leader or the leader’s point of view.”
The findings are part of a monthly poll of the NAE’s Board of Directors, which includes the CEOs of denominations and representatives of diverse Evangelical organizations, such as missions, universities, publishers and churches.
“Cancel culture is the practice of excluding any person, organization or work as a way of expressing disapproval,” NAE President Walter Kim explained.
“While it is important to be clear about unacceptable behavior and unorthodox positions, this phenomenon makes it difficult to have meaningful, vulnerable and open dialogue about the real challenges that we face,” he said.
Some leaders said the Evangelical leadership should expect to be canceled because it has become commonplace.
However, “the reality of cancel culture can make leaders wary of communicating their positions on complex issues for fear of retribution,” the association fears.
Last month, Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, said Facebook removed a paid ad for his sermon “Woke or Awake.”
“Well, I got canceled this week,” Young said, according to Church Leaders. “Our friends at Facebook just canceled me. Our incredible media team put together these ads, and we showed these ads. And, for some reason, Mark Zuckerberg and his friends didn't dig them.”
Many Evangelical leaders think being open and willing for respectful conversations could be the way to engage.
“I have made it a policy to welcome comments and open the door to discussion. People have disagreed with statements that I have made and contacted me to share their concerns,” Ron Hamilton, conference minister at Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, was quoted as saying.
Those who said they had not been canceled also noted that they might have been unknowingly rejected or not invited due to their beliefs or engagement.
“Not to my knowledge! I have no idea whether my views were the reason I was not invited to speak in the first place,” Rich Nathan, founding pastor of Vineyard Columbus, was quoted as saying.
Some leaders said “guilt by association” was also a basis for cancellation.
“I served as the primary speaker for an annual event (for about nine years) at a major Christian university. Although my ministry remained consistent — and my views had not changed at all — my relationship with people outside their doctrinal distinctives caused me to be disinvited,” Daniel Henderson, president of Strategic Renewal, was quoted as saying.
Kim said while individuals and organizations need to be held accountable for their actions, people should not be punished for holding beliefs that may be different. “We need to encourage conversations across differences. Let us open our doors and ask those with differences to pull up a seat at the table. After all, that was the way of Jesus,” he concluded.
I use a capital letter for "Sodomy" because it is the name of a religion, not just a sexual practice. It is in fact the religion of the ruling class, even those whose personal tastes might not run in that direction.
I have issues. I have to remotivate myself to be interested in reading a post if I find a typo, but more likely an apostrophe used improperly in the first paragraph. I used to be a proof reader. 🙄
What we have is the French Revolution. The beadings have been replaced by canels.
It’s amazing how those who “cancel” others for some reason or another believe themselves so morally superior that they can stand in judgement over all humanity both past and present.
Jesus said “If they reject you, they have rejected me” I guess we are nearing the time where the persecution begins and we must stand up for the Lord no matter what the consequences. If we deny the Lord before man he will deny us. If we are embarrassed by the son of man he will be ashamed of us. There will come a time when someone will put me on the spot “Do you deny Jesus Christ?” and I hope at that time I say “No, I Love the Lord Jesus and he is my savior and he is Lord of all, even you standing here.” Even if that answer brings me to being executed on the spot.
What we have is the French Revolution. The beadings have been replaced by cancels. People tend to forget the FR was driven by the atheists.
Beheadings and murders are to follow. How many of these leaders realise they are being targeted for extermination by the woke communists just as all religious leaders were in post revolutionary Russia.
So you claiming Jim is an atheist?
The is new to me, and I have been around since 1998.
You are so wrong you are stupid.
In my almost 25 years here, I know for a fact there are atheists, but the vast majority have a belief in GOD.
NEWBIE!
It seems to me that “shake the dust off your feet” applies just as well to social media as it does to a village in Asia Minor.
I’m pretty sure by FR he was talking about “French Revolution”, the subject of his post, not “Free Republic”.
French Revolution, not Free Republic.
Ahem….The FR in my post was an abbreviation for The French Revolution. If you not Free Republic, read my post there is a chance you would figure that out. I am far from a newbie I have been on Free Republic for a many years.
My apology, but 2011, does classify as a newbie to me.
I do apologize though.
48% of polled are experiencing the words of Jesus!
Thank you. You’re a tough one if you consider 11 years a newbie.
LOL
Well l an glad you’re still with us. The way world is descending into madness it feels we are surrounded like the 300 Spartans.
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