Using “Too political” to silence people

I’ve seen it and heard it many times — often indirectly seeing and hearing arguments, and occasionally the argument is made directly to me because of something I’ve said or written.

It’s usually a complaint by someone who argues that a pastor or a church is being “too political” in what they are saying or proclaiming. It could be on any number of things — that’s the beauty of such an argument. It can be whipped out for any reason. Apparently there are those who think that a religious figure being labeled “too political” is a bad thing.

Here’s what I’ve come to understand about such an argument. Throwing the “Too political” label around at a religious figure or institution is really just an attempt to shut down conversation about an issue that the person doesn’t want to talk about. The person doesn’t want to face the reality that either what they are defending doesn’t match up with what their faith is about, or they are afraid of conflict and will do whatever it takes to shut down conversation rather than engage in talk in the pursuit of the truth.

I’ve never once heard someone who agrees with the stand of the church come up and criticize the church for taking a stand on something controversial by saying that the church was being “too political.” It’s only used to shut down any further conversation. It’s only used when someone disagrees with the stance.

But shutting down conversation over a controversial issue is not healthy. It doesn’t build or support unity. It…