Wokeism is far more dangerous than secularism
Wokeism, which some call the "new" religion of our day, is entirely incompatible with Christian values and, left unchecked, will undermine the foundation of American society. If that sounds hyperbolic, we fail to acknowledge that its very purpose is to do just that.
Originating from Critical Theory, wokeism challenges existing power structures and seeks to dismantle what we see as universal truths[1]. The U.S. is a nation shaped by the principle that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"[2]. Since the founding fathers were Christians, "the inalienable rights from the Creator" can be further expanded to include God's vision for man and society as told in the Bible:
I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality and to do nothing out of favoritism. 1 Timothy 5:21
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If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2:8-9
Throughout our history, Americans struggled with achieving these ideals. Still, through fierce debate, social turmoil, and even war, the outcome has been a continuous push towards racial and gender equality, preserving individual liberty and opportunities for economic prosperity. Together, our political leaders, civic activists, and the community have fought to dismantle institutional and legal systems that perpetuated racial or gender disparity. Today, the U.S. is one of the least prejudicial nations on earth.[3]
In contrast, wokeism sees our nation as fraught with oppression from racial injustice and gender norms that subjugate portions of our society and, therefore, must be destroyed. Through social media messaging, celebrities, and even our politicians, their followers chant slogans demanding power for who they claim are powerless, based on a racial or ethnic class rather than their standing with God. They require all of society to abolish traditional gender norms of males and females and assert that gender is a spectrum that the individual can self-determine. Their religion relies on control and power to impose their ideas, from which violence would be a natural consequence if people do not conform. Major corporations, politicians, and mainstream media are capitulating to these demands, so they remain relevant and avoid the persecution that comes from resistance.
Wokeism is far more effective than secularism ever could be because it fills the "God-shaped hole" in our culture. It claims its own interpretation of justice, righteousness, sin, and judgment. Followers find meaning in the ultimate goal of dismantling oppressive power structures to create their utopian society.[4]
The ideas put forward by wokeism are the exact opposite of what God has spoken over over us as children of God. We were created male and female, made in His image with authority over the earth.
Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:26-27
Repeatedly, God instructs us to do what is right and to behave with justice, kindness, and love towards all, without favoritism or regard for race.[5] The avowed enemy of man is Satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy. If he can rob our society of faith in our systems of justice and freedom, he can replace it with whatever ideals he wants. Understood this way, wokeism at its core wants a war against God and everything He stands for. It leaves Christians, holding unto God's law, the most formidable threat of all.
Our responsibility as followers of Christ is to uphold the standards set forth by God as the ultimate path to peace and justice in society. We should not capitulate the Divine order of the universe to be popular or liked, even with our family or friends. We are tolerant of people who don't accept the truth, but we cannot accept there is no ultimate Truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life[6]. There is no difference between us based on race – "the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him."[7]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory
[2] https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
[3] https://www.christianpost.com/news/social-media-and-the-internet-sowing-racial-discontent.html?clickType=link-topbar-news
[4] https://www.convergemedia.org/wokeism-the-new-religion-of-the-west/
[5] 1 Corinthians 12:13, Acts 10:34-35
[6] John 14:6
[7] Romans 10:12
Hedieh Mirahmadi was a devout Muslim for two decades working in the field of national security before she experienced the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and has a new passion for sharing the Gospel. She dedicates herself full-time to Resurrect Ministry, an online resource that harnesses the power of the Internet to make salvation through Christ available to people of all nations, and her daily podcast LivingFearlessDevotional.com.
