Critical race theory is the latest worldview counterfeit. It plays the language game and relies heavily not on facts and evidence but linguistic arm-twisting. Let me show you what I mean:
Someone says, “If you say you’re not a racist, that just proves you are a racist.”
How would you answer?
I suspect you already see the verbal sleight of hand—the ham-handed attempt at rhetorical manipulation. If you admit you’re a racist, you’re a racist. If you deny you’re a racist, you’re a racist. Racist if you do; racist if you don’t.
The “You’re a racist either way” charge (called a “Kafka trap”) is just one current example of the kind of nonsense used by our own culture’s thought police to cloud our minds and confuse us. Racism exists, of course, but claiming all whites are racist because they’re white simply trivializes genuine racial bigotry.
The nonsense is obvious, but the charge still catches good people off guard. What now?
First, do not attempt to banter with such a person. Since it’s patently ridiculous that thinking you’re not a racist proves that you are, it’s obvious to me that no one who seriously offers this confused challenge can be reasoned with.
Saying so would be impolitic, though, so instead, try to slip in under the radar and catch him by surprise using the “Taking the Roof Off” tactic. Simply accept his approach, then turn the Kafka trap back on him. Here’s an example:
“I knew you’d say that, and I’m glad you did.” “What! Why?” “Because it proves you’re wrong.” “Huh?” “No one says that unless they’re mistaken. Don’t you see it?” “No.” “That’s even more proof you’re wrong. Sorry.”
Or…
“Do you know what ‘social justice’ means?” “Of course I do.” “That proves you don’t. No one who really understands social justice thinks he understands it.”
Like I said, nonsense. If your friend doesn’t get it when you use this tactic, don’t waste time trying to enlighten him. Just let it go. He’s confused, not you.
Here’s my point. Be alert for the linguistic baloney, and don’t be taken in by it. If it sounds silly, it probably is.
Someone says, “If you say you’re not a racist, that just proves you are a racist.”
How would you answer?
I suspect you already see the verbal sleight of hand—the ham-handed attempt at rhetorical manipulation. If you admit you’re a racist, you’re a racist. If you deny you’re a racist, you’re a racist. Racist if you do; racist if you don’t.
The “You’re a racist either way” charge (called a “Kafka trap”) is just one current example of the kind of nonsense used by our own culture’s thought police to cloud our minds and confuse us. Racism exists, of course, but claiming all whites are racist because they’re white simply trivializes genuine racial bigotry.
The nonsense is obvious, but the charge still catches good people off guard. What now?
First, do not attempt to banter with such a person. Since it’s patently ridiculous that thinking you’re not a racist proves that you are, it’s obvious to me that no one who seriously offers this confused challenge can be reasoned with.
Saying so would be impolitic, though, so instead, try to slip in under the radar and catch him by surprise using the “Taking the Roof Off” tactic. Simply accept his approach, then turn the Kafka trap back on him. Here’s an example:
“I knew you’d say that, and I’m glad you did.” “What! Why?” “Because it proves you’re wrong.” “Huh?” “No one says that unless they’re mistaken. Don’t you see it?” “No.” “That’s even more proof you’re wrong. Sorry.”
Or…
“Do you know what ‘social justice’ means?” “Of course I do.” “That proves you don’t. No one who really understands social justice thinks he understands it.”
Like I said, nonsense. If your friend doesn’t get it when you use this tactic, don’t waste time trying to enlighten him. Just let it go. He’s confused, not you.
Here’s my point. Be alert for the linguistic baloney, and don’t be taken in by it. If it sounds silly, it probably is.
~ Greg Koukl
Truth is truth, whether I experience it or not. The Lord does not need my experience to validate His Word. Woke epistemology begins by saying something realistic - that everybody has their own perspective. But it loses sight of the fact that God's truth is true for everyone, regardless of their background or past experience. God's truth is truth at all times and in all places. God defines truth, not us - not our race, our experiences, or our own views.
It is the strangest thing today. Personal experience matters and is validated [only] when you come to progressive conclusions, but not when you arrive at conservative convictions. Your voice must be heard when it speaks leftism, but not when it declares conservatism. You are true to your "heritage" when you embrace "social justice" but not when you hold to retributive biblical justice.
Wokeness purports to have all the explanatory power for our political chaos. As I am at pains to say, it does not. In actuality, it biases us and leaves us with overly simple answers to complex questions.
~Owen Strachan
No comments:
Post a Comment