Jonathan Haidt is Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University.
In March, under the aegis of the Veritas Forum, he debated with Tim Keller on how we can have a properly pluralistic society in which all points of view are respected. It is online to watch. Haidt is an atheist who recognises the benefits which faith has brought about in the evolution of civilised society (click here for a review of his landmark book The Righteous Mind ). During the debate however, he confessed that there are a number of subjects that he cannot discuss openly, for fear of losing his job.
We certainly don’t have a society at present where people are allowed to express opinions which contradict currently politically correct dogma. Threats, cyber bullying and even police action are likely to result if we step out of line. And biblically faithful Christians are way out of line on all kinds of issues, from abortion to gender roles and so much more. Christians have lost the culture wars.
The re-emergence of heavy shepherds
What would you think if you received a letter from your church leaders that read like this? ‘Are church members …