Covid-19 isn’t the only pandemic threatening society. There are dangerous attitudes spreading like the plague.

While the postmodern era has promoted tolerance (a good thing), many people are now following an intolerant attitude (a bad thing) called “cancel culture.” Wikipedia describes “cancel culture” as “a modern form of ostracism in which someone is thrust out of social or professional circles – either online on social media, in the real world, or both.”

Recently, a popular television journalist declared that a certain group of people with whom she did not agree should be “deprogrammed.” She wasn’t joking. If one didn’t know better, you’d think we were living in the Soviet Union in the 1970s or Nazi Germany in the 1940s. But this happened in the United States in 2021.

People who claim to be the epitome of tolerance, inclusiveness and open-mindedness are guilty of the very offense they supposedly are condemning – namely discrimination. Indeed, cancelling someone is the ultimate form of discrimination. It’s mean; it’s hateful; and it’s cruel. Irony abounds.

This growing “cancel culture” phenomenon not only dismisses opposing views, but “cancels” the person who holds them as though he no longer exists. It doesn’t just say, “Be quiet; your opinion doesn’t matter,” but also “you don’t matter; you deserve banishment.” This attitude goes beyond denying freedom of expression to destructive manipulation by invalidating the worth of an individual who offers a different opinion.

But opinions, whether we like them or not, should never diminish the value of any human being. C.S. Lewis said, “There are no ordinary people…. [God made humans to take] each other seriously – no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.”

Lewis is reminding us of the biblical truth that every one of us bears the mark of “Imago Dei” – we are made in the image of God with infinite worth. As someone once said, “God doesn’t make junk.” Anyone who attempts to “cancel” another person is not only arrogant and deeply offensive, but insults the God who made us.

So, what’s the antidote for the “cancel culture” pandemic spreading across the land? I think the Apostle Paul nailed it: “Do nothing out of … empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” No one is better than anyone else. All of us have significance, regardless of race, religion, sex, education, economic status, political affiliation or opinions. 

If our society is to thrive, we need to personally reject the cancellation trend. Curing the “cancel culture” pandemic begins with each one choosing to love, respect and value people, including those with whom we disagree.

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* An earlier version of this article first appeared in the March 2021 issue of Best Living at Scenic Loop magazine.