David Woodward is a political science professor at Clemson University—one who has first-hand experience on how dangerous it can be to speak out in favor of traditional values: He almost lost his job over it.
In 1993, Woodward was asked to testify about the political power of homosexual groups in American life. He agreed to serve as an expert witness for the state of Colorado, which was fighting to defend the recently passed Amendment Two, which made it illegal to give protected status based on sexual orientation.
In his new book, Why We Whisper: Restoring Our Right to Say It’s Wrong, co-authored by my friend, the able South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, Woodward writes, “In that one decision, I unexpectedly jeopardized my academic career and entered . . . into the fiercest battle of the emergent culture wars.”
To publicly oppose the campaign for same-sex “marriage” and gay rights was, he writes, “the equivalent to being sent to the university Gulag.” He was denied an administrative position on the grounds that he was “ideologically incompatible” with the values of the university. He often found the word homophobe scribbled on his office door. The press viciously attacked him for his views.
But in private, Woodward was hearing a different message. People would call to whisper encouragement. So did parents and university staffers. Some students came into his office, carefully closed the door, and whispered their support. “The one thing they all had in common is that they were all scared, and they all spoke in whispers,” Woodward writes.
Homosexuality is not the only issue Americans can no longer speak freely about: Speaking up in support of any traditional belief will earn you attacks from secular elites. “Whether individual, parent, church, or business, Americans holding traditional values are trapped in a ‘whisper zone’,” Woodward and DeMint write, “surrounded by invisible electric fences that threaten to ‘shock’ them if they cross unmarked legal lines.”
This can come sometimes in the form of ridicule and intimidation—sometimes with lawsuits, as we at Prison Fellowship know so painfully well after three years of fighting Americans United over our successful prison program in Iowa. All too often, secularist judges and legislators have thrown the power of the law behind their views—making it ever harder to speak out for traditional positions.
But as Woodward and DeMint point out, “historically, freedom of speech is crucial in any democracy.” They note that our founders understood that the ability to express our differences publicly was democracy’s substitute for violence.
Democracy is—by definition—a conversation about what is good and what is right and wrong; what is fair to all. “The demise of good government comes when this conversation is abbreviated, as we believe it has been,” Woodward and DeMint write. The result: We are now suffering from, as John Stuart Mill put it, the “tyranny of prevailing opinion.”
“The continued decline of America’s moral life,” Woodward and DeMint say, “will prove fatal to our society.”
I agree, and that is why you need to become informed about biblical worldview and about the so-called culture wars. And a good place to start is with DeMint and Woodward’s book, Why We Whisper. Learn more about how and why we are losing our right to speak freely. And then—speak up! Loud and clear.
This is part one of a two-part series.
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From BreakPoint®, May 1, 2008, Copyright 2008, Prison Fellowship Ministries. Reprinted with the permission of Prison Fellowship Ministries. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of Prison Fellowship Ministries. “BreakPoint®” and “Prison Fellowship Ministries®” are registered trademarks of Prison Fellowship
Comments
What Chuck says is correct and we understand the problem but lead us out of this “Oh Pied Piper” we know the problem give us the solution, how is it possible that in a country that is supposed to be 8o percent Christian that we can be silenced by a small group???? because "BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DO NOTHING" ---- The drug freaks of the 70's, our parents I’m ashamed to say, are now in charge of the political and educational institutions and it's time that we the young people of America take it back, the old hippy's are to blame.
This article really surprises me. I taught at Clemson for four years and found that - by far - the majority of the students and a good half of the faculty and staff there are extremely conservative and Christian. So to hear they had to shut the door and whisper is absurd. I lived in a town just a few miles from Clemson and did not put an Al Gore sticker on my car for fear the car would be vandalized.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. When the prophets of the Bible spoke out, they were persecuted too. When the reformers spoke out about the evils of the Roman Catholic Church, they were burned, put in prison, etc. But we are not to cower to popular theology and opinions. Do not be afraid of what men can do to you. Shout it out. Warn the people. We ought to obey God rather than man.
Do you have gay friends? or know people well who are of homosexuality?
Why We Whisper: Restoring Our Right to Say It’s Wrong - What a perfect title for the message!
America has become so "politically" correct that it is blinded to what is so politically wrong. Many of the mainstream churches are aslo "whispering", for fear of losing members who wish
to hear a "feel-good" sermon, rather than hear a pastor preach the Truth. Spurgeon's sermons shouted from the rooftop and did not fear offending anyone for the sake of the Gospel. Today, many churches are dying, because those same members they feared losing, are walking away from politically correct churches to seek one that actually does not fear preaching all the Truth.
Yes, these are signs of the times, but for however long we still have time, may we not fear the rebuke of the unsaved and speak His Truth, in love, for His glory.
Amen Chuck!!! Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome this world." Praise the Lord, that this world is not the final answer!
It is sad when people can't respectfully agree to disagree. The real issue here is that "Biblical Prophecy is happening in our lifetime. What is right is now considered wrong; and what is wrong is now considered right.
I for one will continue to "speak the truth in love" as the Lord Jesus Christ gives me the unction to speak!! For many years I have watch the decline of my Nation and it grieves me how low we have sunk as a people. However, the Lord God showed me, this is the world that HE died for; imagine that! "While we were His enemies, Christ died for us; and that blows me away!
That the love of GOD would save a people such as ourselves.
People are blind to their own evilness, I was for so many years. Praise be to GOD that HE opened my eyes to see the state of my own condition and I repented and I repent every day for the sin in my own life and I pray that our nation will pray for the blinders to be removed!
Look at the true state of our nation, the violence, the increased vulgarity and most think, it's nothing! I used to think like that too! Thank You Jesus Christ for opening my mind to the truth!
I am calling on all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the LORD is calling on His children to draw together in UNITY!!!! YES, many days of persecution are here and are coming, we need to draw ever closer to the Lord and one another! The Power of The Holy Spirit will keep us as we cry out to our Father, HE defends us...we do not need to defend ourselves... we do need to pray that all this will be exposed, brought to the LIGHT and that GOD will redeem our nation.
God hears the CRIES OF HIS CHILDREN!!!! If you're actively walkin in sin, your prayers are hidden from God...so repent and draw back to the LORD GOD...AWAKE O SLEEPER...ARISE and prepare ye the way of the LORD!!!