Shakespeare (sort of)
Why Does Medium Promote Blatant Hate Speech?
*Disclaimer: Before reading the following post, I want to be very clear: In no way am I arguing for censorship in this post. I am a free speech absolutist (as long as it does not explicitly incite physical violence towards another), and will defend the right of others to express views I personally find reprehensible. I repeat, I am not calling on Medium to remove or censor the posts cited below that are blatantly offensive. This post is only meant to highlight a troubling and growing anti-Christian reality.
Who decides what is determined as Hate Speech? As a Canadian, my country has chargeable laws prohibiting hate Speech, which are defined as follows (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-319.html):
Section 319(1): Publicly inciting hatred — makes it an offence to communicate statements in a public place which incite hatred against an identifiable group, where it is likely to lead to a breach of peace.
Section 319(2): Promoting hatred — makes it an offence to wilfully promote hatred against any identifiable group, by making statements (other than in private conversation).
(*Identifiable Group is defined as: ”any section of the public distinguished by colour, race, religion, ethnic origin or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or mental or physical disability.”)
I point this out, because over the last decade or so, I have heard repeated claims about the evils of hate speech; the need to crack down on hate speech; countless reports of alleged hate speech; along with stories of different people being censored, demonetized, and even removed from certain platforms because of their alleged speech violations. It is because of this hypersensitivity being pervasively preached across our western world that I am shocked by the “Medium Daily Digest” of blog recommendations it sends to my inbox every morning:
For example, here was Medium’s top recommendation for me on February 27, and which inspired me to finally write this post:
Christian Equals… Christian = Conservative = Republican = Hate https://medium.com/christian-pollution/christian-equals-4f08f0abc1de
If you think that sounds harsh, this title is about the most charitable thing the author says about Christians in his Blog. The author is Vincent V. Triola, whose Blog handle is, “Christian Pollution” and he gives this descriptor for his blog: “Exposing the Philosophic Disease of Christianity”
Triola’s article includes a picture of an upside down cross, and begins with this lovely sentiment: “People ask why I dislike Christians: I don’t dislike Christians; I loathe them. More than loathing Christians, I consider them casualties of an incurable thought disease. They are a lost cause…”
Here are the other charming things Mr. Triola asserts Christianity equals:
Christian = Problem
Christian = Chump
Christian = Hate
Christian = Enemy
Christian = Violence
What is scary, at the time of me writing this post, Triola’s article has 114 likes/claps, and only five comments; with one commenter, simply and succinctly, adding, “Spot on.”
You might be thinking, “but this only one example.” Because I primarily write, and am interested in religion, and Christianity specifically, it is primarily Christian posts Medium recommends to me. Tragically, every day Medium recommends to me a torrent of Anti-Christian hostility. Here is one example of a single, but highly productive day (February 17) of Medium’s promotion of Christian distain; their recommendations included:
If The Church Wants Credibility, It Should Start By Apologizing And It Should Start Today
Christianity Is Cowardly Living
Why Christianity is the Most Offensive Religion in the World
Why don’t you just mind your own business? One Word: Christians
The Arizona Small Town Survival Guide to Christian Infidelity
5 Ways the Church Bullies You into Believing Its Lies
Sadly, this day was not an anomaly. On any given day, between my inbox and phone notifications, I receive a half dozen or more recommendations, I could never imagine being written of, and especially promoted, if the title “Christian” was replaced with another “identifiable group.” Initially, I wanted to take 10 of the most offensive headlines I have been recommended by Medium, and exchange “Christian” with another identifiable group (Jew, Muslim, Gay, BIPOC, etc.), but was so appalled, I couldn’t bring myself to do that with another identifiable group, even if it was only to make a point (I will let the reader try it with some of the headlines listed above — it is disgusting and discriminating).
Regardless, of how I feel about the proliferation of anti-Christian sentiment, here are two things that I believe are worth stating:
First, before getting offended, introspection is always necessary. Generally, where there are accusations, there are usually elements of truth. Are there problems, historically and currently, with Christians? This is undeniable. Can each of us Christians do better? No Christian would disagree. So where we as Christians have fallen short, we need to own it, and we need to strive, in the words of Saint Paul, “As far as it depends on us, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).
Secondly, and in the words of Saint Taylor, “Haters gonna hate!” There will always be those who will seek to slander, seek to spew malice, and seek to label the whole by solely focussing on the worst moments and the worst members of a very large and diverse group. Kindness, care and compassion, sprinkled with “enemy love” and “prayers for the persecutors” is what Christ commands us to (Matthew 5:44).
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:13–17
