Ethics and Religion Talk: Cancel Culture

This Week’s Question: ‘The anger and demands that accompany today's Cancel Culture often leave people feeling like the only way to survive is to go along with everyone else who says that the Emperor's clothes are beautiful and ignore the fact that the Emperor is in fact naked. What do you all think?’

The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds:

I do not believe we have a “cancel culture” but rather an accountability culture, and it is about time! People need to take responsibility for their actions. When someone is called out for speaking hate filled words, I think they should be made accountable. People often forget there can be real consequences to free speech. Recently JK Rowling has made many transphobic statements. She is certainly free to say what she wants, and I am free to strongly disagree and no longer purchase her books. I have cancelled my financial support of her, but she is still free to keep talking. She will probably lose fans and money because of her own actions. This is accountability not cancellation. 

Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds:

Although I have enquired diligently, I am still unsure of the meaning of ‘Cancel Culture.’ As a long-time student of American history, I am aware that our national story has many assorted chapters, and presents a very human mix of noble achievement and gross sin. Those raised on a diet of ‘American Exceptionalism’ don’t want to hear the whole truth of the matter, and persist in a form of ‘willful ignorance,’ the kind that is impervious to appeals to the facts involved. It is bootless to argue with someone who chooses to believe fables, myths, and lies.

The counsel given by the apostle Paul to Timothy is as pertinent today as ever before: ‘Shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness … Foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves’ (II Timothy 2:16, 23-25). Christians should keep their minds and hearts focused on obedience to Christ in all things, and not be drawn into endless, pointless controversies.

Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds:

I see the phrase ‘cancel culture’ as nothing more than a buzz phrase symptomatic of a deeper level of sin. Often, individuals accuse others of a cancel culture mentality while projecting the same on them. Anger on both sides results. The application of these words destroys any possible discussion.

I am concerned that the concept of ‘cancel culture’ is a manifestation of the sin of calumny, a violation of the Ninth Commandment of the Decalogue. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that ‘one is guilty of calumny, who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and give occasion for false judgments concerning them.’

I fear the present culture, especially politics, often falls into sin. We must work to avoid allowing others to pull us down. We must ask if it ‘is right simply because everyone else is doing it.’ People of faith are called to be different and to witness the values we profess.

The Rev. Steven W. Manskar, a retired United Methodist pastor, responds:

‘Cancel culture’ is a consequence of people who have abandoned, or never had, faith in a loving and just God. 

In the baptismal covenant Christians publicly profess their loyalty to the Triune God. They promise to serve as representatives of Jesus Christ in the world through obedience to his commands to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind; and to live out this love for God by loving your neighbor as yourself. 

However, because Christians live in the world their loyalty is often captured by ideologies of the Left and the Right. Those ideologies often claim to represent and defend Christian values. But, in fact, they distort and subvert them. They convince followers to hate their neighbor. They tell followers to regard the neighbor who is not part of their group as an enemy.

“Cancel culture” is an expression of persons who have exchange faith in God for ideology.

Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds:

Some speech, although free to express, is hateful and should be called out.

Some activities, although legal, are oppressive and should be boycotted.

Some icons in government, religion and entertainment lie, cheat, abuse and should be held accountable by the public naming and shaming.

Cancel Culture has replaced respectful conversation and attempt to reconcile differences. 

Christianity values forgiveness, grace, and reconciliation and also holds up justice, love and humility as goals of right living. Cancel Culture is an easy way out of the struggle to hold these polarities in tension. 

This column answers questions of Ethics and Religion by submitting them to a multi-faith panel of spiritual leaders in the Grand Rapids area. We’d love to hear about the ordinary ethical questions that come up in the course of your day as well as any questions of religion that you’ve wondered about. Tell us how you resolved an ethical dilemma and see how members of the Ethics and Religion Talk panel would have handled the same situation. Please send your questions to [email protected].