First of all, I’m not racist, sexist, homophobic or classist. I believe all humans should be valued because they have been created uniquely by God. Respect is a basic human right. However, seeing all people as equally deserving of love is not the same as pretending that I don’t have opinions about right and wrong. Political correctness, though beautiful in theory, rarely plays out the way it's supposed to. Whereas, in theory, political correctness is the condemnation of racial slurs or discriminatory language, mainstream political correctness has been taken to an extreme. It doesn’t focus on loving people but on being hyper-sensitive to the point where expressing moral standards is always offensive. It’s impossible to voice your opinion without offending someone, so you should just shut up and keep it to yourself. Right? I don’t think so.

The first amendment promises freedom of expression. In my mind, there is a clear distinction between unconditionally loving someone and unquestioningly accepting all of their lifestyle choices. Political correctness has devalued moral conviction and left us in a state of moral apathy and unconditional tolerance. Tolerance is good except when it’s used to blur the lines between moral black and white, turning everything into a completely grey wilderness. Political correctness has turned into the repression of conviction to the point where too few people have the guts to even voice what they believe. Political correctness has become the socially acceptable form of revoking the first amendment.

I am a Christian. I believe things that millions of people disagree with. I have the right to express that in ways that are loving. However, I see more value in standing up for what I believe than in keeping silent simply because I know other people disagree. If people disagree, let’s have a conversation about it! I think we’ve forgotten that it’s possible to have a respectful argument in which both parties act with love. The more we learn about what someone believes, the more we are able to understand them as a person. I don’t understand how we can claim to value peoples’ opinions while simultaneously making it nearly impossible to express disagreement without being attacked. Why are we only ever “right” when we agree with the most open-minded, tolerant opinion?

I did some research. Most people like political correctness in concept, saying, “It’s basic respect.” I completely agree that we shouldn’t use slurs or make offensive jokes, etc. But for me, that basic human respect stems from my faith and believe that all humans are uniquely created and loved by God. Who am I to judge anyone as being less valuable because they don’t live the way I do? However, I’m not allowed to say that because then I’m asserting my religion. This bothers me. In my mind, love is so much stronger when it stems from a place of personal belief or conviction. If my motivation is “the government told me not to use homosexual slurs, therefore I won’t,” it doesn’t count as love because love comes from within.

I'm frustrated that political correctness asks us to close our eyes to differences. If someone is different from you (either racially, sexually, etc.) we are told to keep our mouths shut and ignore the things that make them unique. In the same way, I think we should be able to talk about different opinions, I think we should be able to talk about the difference between races. Everyone is unique. I think there's something beautiful in many different races or genders living together in harmony. I think that beauty is diminished when the only way we get along is by pretending that everyone is exactly the same. I think it's OK to acknowledge the differences between races and genders. Though political correctness would tell you differently, recognizing and appreciating those differences is not hatred. The problem comes when we judge someone's personhood as being less legitimate or valuable based on those factors.

I have chosen to live the politically incorrect life. This does not mean I go around calling people offensive names or standing on street corners with signs protesting gay marriage. I simply believe in standing up for my beliefs, voicing my opinion when necessary and respecting all people because they are human — beautifully created in the image of the Everlasting God. Social rules cannot change the heart of an issue. Politics will never be able to dictate love. I choose love because of my faith. I choose respect because I believe people are inherently valuable. I believe political correctness undermines love. I have chosen to live the politically incorrect life.