As Christians, we must be very careful about the use of the concepts of diversity and inclusiveness, which form a prominent element of the current zeitgeist, with its roots in postmodernism.

From description to promotion

I first came across the concept of diversity as a student of Geography in the early 1970s. That was in the context of ecology and it applied to natural variety in ecosystems at various scales. The observation of species extinctions gave rise to concern for the preservation of what later became known as biodiversity, a core concept in conservation. Hence ‘diversity’ became self-evidently even more ‘a good thing’ in itself. In practice, however, it was found that some ‘invasive’ species just ‘had to be’ eliminated from certain habitats. Logical consistency was thus far from easy to apply.

Today, hwever, the dominant use of ‘diversity’ occurs in regard to people and is heavily value-laden, as the following quotation illustrates. Notice the illogical shift from simple description to outright promotion: “Diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another. In a nutshell, it’s about empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them different, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, and national origin.”¹

Prime examples

Here’s an example of that zeitgeist from a relatively recent ‘Inclusive’ movement, led by Baptist pastor, Steve Chalke: “Welcome to the Open Church Network. We believe that who we are and how we act grows out of our story and our values, and this website is a place where we explore that, and the theology which underpins it. The Open Church Network is open to all, where everyone is welcome. and this is because that’s what our vision of the church looks like.”² Notice that what ‘we believe’ and ‘our vision’ starts with ‘us’ and not God.

Notice that what ‘we believe’ and ‘our vision’ starts with ‘us’ and not God.

Here’s another example of its expression, this time in Anglican circles: “The Ozanne Foundation believes in a world where all are accepted and equally valued. We therefore work with religious organisations around the world to eliminate discrimination based on sexuality or gender in order to celebrate the equality and diversity of all. … Jayne Ozanne is a well-known gay evangelical who works to ensure full inclusion of all LGBTI people of faith.”³

The title of her book is a dead giveaway: Just Love: A Journey of Self-Acceptance. “We are called to JUST LOVE,” she writes, “JUST LOVE! That’s all.” What is the difference between this and the Beatles’ hit song “All you need is love”? And who has issued the ‘calling’ to ‘just love’?

FIFA and media inconsistency

‘Diversity’ has particularly come to the fore in the past few weeks, in the context of the ongoing FIFA World Cup on Qatar, during which both BBC and ITV channels have devoted grossly disproportionate attention to LGBT issues, whilst devoting little time to the exploitation of migrant workers and totally ignoring Qatar’s disgraceful banning of Jewish prayer in public places and hot kosher food for visitors from Israel,⁴ also ignoring the abandonment the of contracted British coach drivers.⁵

Logically, however much one might disagree with Islamic culture, that must mean that it should be respected! Here again, logical inconsistency is exposed in the media.

FIFA’s own statement in advance of the events clearly stated, “At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world. One of the great strengths of the world is indeed its very diversity, and if inclusion means anything, it means having respect for that diversity,”⁶ Logically, however much one might disagree with Islamic culture, that must mean that it should be respected! Here again, logical inconsistency is exposed in the media.

Biblical principles of equity and inclusion

Equity and inclusion are core principles in Scripture:

1. We are not merely called to love, we are commanded: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev 19:18 and underlined by Jesus in Matt 19:18-19 & 22:37-39) and “love your enemies” (Matt 5:43).
2. Justice at law for all (equity) is also commanded: “You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, not honour the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbour” (Lev 19:15).
3. The inclusivity of God’s judgment: “God … commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day when He will judge the world” (Acts 17:30); “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23; see also Rom 5:12, Heb 9:27).
4. The inclusivity of the call of the Gospel: “Whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them I will liken to a wise man who built his house upon the rock” (Matt 7:24-25); “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom 10:11-13)

Biblical objections

Yet these principles are balanced against other, more exclusive ones:

1. The exclusivity of the Gospel: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (Jn 3:3-5); “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Lk.13:2-5; see also Jn 12:48, Heb 10:26-27). The inclusion or exclusion is based entirely on our choices, whether we accept or reject Jesus and His words.
2. The authority of the Creation account “So God created man in His own image, male and female He created them” (Gen.1:27); “…a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen.2:24). These Scriptures were affirmed by Jesus Himself (Matt.19:4-6) and thus are part of “the word that I have spoken” (Jn.12:48, see point 1 above).
3. The exclusive nature of the ekklesia, the ‘called-out’ people of God: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers … ‘Come out from among them and be separate’ says the Lord’” (2 Cor 6:14; see also Rev 2:12-16).

The right to belong

The expression ‘The right to belong’ appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Tear Fund’s magazine, as the title of an account of an interview with their ‘Diversity and Inclusion Manager’. Her opening comment was that “Everyone has the right to feel that they belong, regardless of their background, beliefs, attitudes, culture, history and past”, as if such were self-evident. Strangely enough, in most of the article there was no evidence at all of the obvious question ‘Belong to what?’, or indeed its answer.

There was no evidence at all of the obvious question ‘Belong to what?’

Though in grace she does not see her position as a barrier in her walk and witness, in fact, this Manager belongs to an exclusive group of people - all those who hold a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Birmingham. She could not have obtained that prestigious qualification “regardless of history and past”, as first qualifying for entry to the course of study and subsequently satisfying the final assessment were both mandatory. There are some contexts in which discrimination is not only legitimate but necessary.

So far as Tear Fund is concerned, as a Christian relief organisation, the disbursement of its charity might be generously offered without discrimination, but even here, there would surely be limits, such as avoiding gifts to profiteers or to a needy group of committed ISIS fighters! ‘Regardless’ is surely irresponsible, even where ‘belonging’ is not the issue.

Unqualified discrimination

Later in the interview we find an example of Tear Fund’s managerial work: “regularly reviewing our policies and procedures so that they don’t discriminate”. Here the final word is also unqualified and troublesome. Any appointment to a post at a Christian charity should surely involve appropriate 'discrimination' in regard to qualifications and experience in order to ‘belong’ there, and a negative CRB check would surely debar from ‘inclusion’.

One fears the effect of political correctness in thought and practice in the Christian sphere. It’s high time to carefully clarify what is meant when using the ‘buzzwords’ of our current culture.

Endnotes

1. Global Diversity Practice
2. About — Open Church Network First accessed Jan 2020, now simplified as “The Open Church Network is a conversation exploring the inclusive and transformative love of God. We invite you to join us as together we learn to walk this radical path of Christ-cantered love.”
3. Ozanne Foundation
4. Daily Mail 9th Dec 2022
5. Daily Express 27 Nov 2022
6. ITV News 4 Nov 2022.