Wednesday, April 07, 2021

Cancelling Christianity

 As this report from the Christian Post notes, censorship, which is the first step toward cancelation, is well underway through the likes of Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and others.

A new report from the Napa Legal Institute (requires a subscription) has revealed the full extent of big-tech censorship of Christians. It details the growing attitude of hostility towards faith-based views and organizations in large tech companies, and urges “decisive” actions by faith leaders to confront this new culture.

While many of these actions have gone relatively unnoticed, some have risen to the status of national news. Among them was Amazon’s removal of Ryan T. Anderson’s book When Harry Became Sally, which challenged progressive orthodoxy on transgender issues. Amazon deleted the book from their catalogue and refused to reverse the decision, despite widespread backlash by conservatives and Christians. They later doubled down on the ban, saying they have “chosen not to sell books that frame LGBTQ+ identity as a mental illness.”

...As the report shows, the censorship culture extends far beyond Amazon. In February, Twitter suspended the account of Catholic bishop Kevin Doran after he attacked the practice of “assisted suicide,” which is officially condemned by the Roman Catholic Church. The tweet that led to Bishop Doran’s suspension read, in part, “Assisted suicide, where it is practiced, is not an expression of freedom or dignity, but of the failure of a society to accompany people on their ‘way of the cross.’“

His account was eventually restored after a month, but others have suffered permanent consequences. LifeSiteNews, a pro-life news outlet, had their YouTube account permanently banned, removing their catalogue of over 2,000 videos. They had amassed over 300,000 subscribers over the course of a decade, before being abruptly banned.

Other pro-life groups have also been targeted. The Susan B. Anthony List was deplatformed by Facebook during the run-up to the presidential election, preventing ads revealing Democratic candidate’s positions on abortion from reaching voters. Facebook alleged that, according to a 3rd party “fact-checker,” they were spreading “debunked” information on late-term abortions. After receiving public backlash, Facebook apologized and allowed some of the ads to run again.

In early March, Instagram permanently suspended the Catholic Connect account, alleging “copyright infringement.” Instagram has neither reversed the suspension nor explained their reasoning, despite coverage in Catholic media and an appeal by Catholic Connect.

 Freedom of speech for Christians is being whittled away by the master manipulators of information. 

How long before they reach this lowly and obscure blog? 



6 comments:

  1. "How long before they reach this lowly and obscure blog?" Hopefully never. I am concerned about the Bible being cancelled.

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    1. But don't worry about the Quran being cancelled.

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  2. Katherine7:31 AM

    It's a serious situation. Justice Thomas had suggestions for reining in Big Tech in a recent concurring opinion.

    On another note, I do not recall your precise location, and got a jolt this morning when the area news reported a doctor and his family shot dead in York County, SC. A click on the link showed not Mr. and Mrs. Pewster, I thank God.

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    1. Very shocking and sad news about Robert, his wife and grandchildren. I knew him well.

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    2. Katherine8:32 AM

      I thought you might know him. How very sad.

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    3. Katherine9:35 AM

      Just reading news reports, it appears there will be considerable concern in the area about what happened here.

      May your friend and his family rest in peace, and the unfortunate man working outside, as well.

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