I found myself asking this question last week while listening to a commercial on Spotify. The company advertising claimed it was committed to being “socially responsible” and I thought, “Uh oh.”
Despite what some are saying, conservatives are not making up their concern over woke corporations adopting a Chinese-esque social credit system. Here is a fascinating article to understand how businesses are using ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance ratings: https://europeanconservative.com/articles/commentary/the-hubris-of-esg-ratings/.
As I was considering the meaning of “social responsibility,” it occurred to me just how differently the left and right interpret what it means to be socially responsible.
These differences are rooted in contrasting worldviews. You can learn more here: http://redstateramblings.com/conflicting-visions-thomas-sowell-saw-it-coming/.
What Does it Look Like to Be Socially Responsible in Red States?
In red states, to be socially responsible means…well, it means being socially responsible… you know, like actually showing social responsibility. Things like knowing and helping your neighbor, (which interestingly, is correlated with conservative voting patterns http://redstateramblings.com/my-first-political-conference-in-tennessee-the-freedom-summit/), owning a gun (because citizens of red states tend to be mistrusting of big government), devotion to the nuclear family, protecting children’s innocence, working hard, attending church, understanding history, showing patriotism, maintaining personal property, and abstaining from immorality.
Simply put, social responsibility in red states means action. (Note all of the verbs in the above statements.)
What Is Social Responsibility in the Eyes of Blue State Elites?
In blue states controlled by just a few out of touch with reality, ridiculously wealthy elitists, social responsibility means something very different. To be considered socially responsible in these circles, individuals must agree with with a certain set of ideals. They are not expected to actually perform any responsibilities. They simply must say they agree to the following: science is the only truth, there is no truth, gender is fluid, Trump is Hitler, masks save lives, men have babies, calling grooming “grooming” is bad, climate change is our biggest threat, guns kill people, capitalism is evil, and black lives matter.
We’ve created a society wherein so long as a citizen repeats the left’s talking points, they are deemed “socially responsible.” No consideration is given to the actual performance of taking on responsibility. The faithfulness of the individual is seen as entirely irrelevant. His or her character is not even considered. So long as there is one hundred percent unadulterated allegiance to a set of values determined by a few “special people,” lefties condone that company or that candidate as “socially responsible.”
You know, it reminds me of that controversial word the left keeps trying to pit against us, even though it actually applies to them: “Facism: a political system headed by a dictator in which the government controls business and labor and opposition is not permitted” Mirriam -Webster.
Ok, I think I’m beginning to understand. In blue states, social responsibility is facism. Got it.
Call Me Irresponsible
Christians should not pretend that to ignore being called the dregs of society, the deplorables, the irresponsible ones will somehow hold evil at bay. Refusing to acknowledge the persecution we are currently experiencing will only perpetuate more. A strong push back is necessary. (This principle applies in the home as well. Check out my op-ed in The Tennessee Conservative here: https://tennesseeconservativenews.com/making-peace-with-evil-how-california-went-crazy-op-ed/.)
While I understand the sentiment of some Christians feeling we need to “get ready for persecution,” I think we are misguided if we do not consider a few important truths.
- God’s Word does not tell us to pray for sin, to be content with sin or to desire sin.
- God decides what is best for His Church, not us. We may think, as I heard DA Carson mention at a conference years back, that persecution would be the best thing for the American Church, but ultimately God decides what is best! He is able to do anything. We should ask Him to send repentance and revival throughout our nation.
- We have a duty to our posterity. To live as though there are no real consequences of the passivity over what is happening in our nation is to hurt our children, our grandchildren and our great grandchildren. Teaching our kids the gospel Deuteronomy 6 style is indeed our ultimate calling. It’s also important to recognize the time and place God has chosen to plant our families. Using our brains to soberly assess the cultural and political climate and respond in ways we believe will promote the flourishing of mankind is good and right. Statements like, “Well, Jesus is coming back so it doesn’t matter anyway” are just a cop out for showing true social responsibility.
Christians Need to Do Better
Rather than handing in the freedom towel and using our pacifistic witness to “talk left and lean right,” wouldn’t it be better if we showed the world true social responsibility?
Today, there’s a weird pull in Christendom to do two extremely dangerous things. First, to neglect to understand the particular time in history in which God has placed us and second, to acquiesce to government authority, knowing it has become corrupt, with the assumption that by so doing we will win others over to the gospel. Neither of these are supported biblically or historically as features of the Christian life.
On the contrary, we have example after example of Christians speaking truth, even when it cost them their lives.
Our Founders Were Socially Responsible
How thankful we are that our founding fathers chose neither to acquiesce nor to miss the opportunity God handed them. They showed social responsibility by refusing to submit to tyrants.
“If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have so long been contending. If we mean, not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight. I repeat it sir, we must fight. An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left for us. They tell us sir that we are weak, unable to cope with such a formidable adversary. But, when shall we be stronger? Will it be next week or next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed or when a British guard be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supplinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope until our enemies have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak. If we make proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.”
Patrick Henry, March 23 1775
Wouldn’t it be beautiful if we, the Church, came together making “proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power?” Wouldn’t that be true social responsibility?
Who Will Call Us Responsible?
Sadly, many professing Christians are content being socially irresponsible in the eyes of God because they desire the promised safety and acceptance facism offers. But remember Christian, you are not living in the year 2022 by accident. There is truth for you to tell and work for you to do. And, if anyone is promising you safety and acceptance outside of Christ, they are lying.
Major worldviews are at war in our nation and the one that is winning is trickling down into every realm of our society. ESG scores are not on the horizon. They are here.
May the confidence we have in the God who ordains all of human history spur us on to love and action.
May We the People strive for social responsibility in the eyes of God alone.
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