Sunday, June 13, 2010

Holy No’s:  Rightly Focussed Protest…Reframes

• Open with a time of prayer and a willingness to be humble and open to how God wants to reshape us and "re-frame" our lives.
• Read the following and discuss:
  • "Language is a tool, just like any of the tools human beings have invented.  Like any tool–a knife, a screwdriver, a computer, a space satellite — language is used to do something, to achieve a goal.  A knife can be used to carve a roast or carve a relative; a computer can be used to keep lists of people who donate money to charity or to keep lists of people marked for summary execution by the government; a satellite can provide information on the weather or navigational directions for nuclear missiles to hit their targets.  Language can be used to write the Constitution of the United States or to write the laws of apartheid; to write King Lear or pornography; to write the lyrics of John Keats or plans for a winnable nuclear war.  The fault lies not in the language but in us, the creators and users of language."  p.xii DoubleSpeak by William Lutz
• Reframing truth "requires a close look at how we use language to mask hard truths."  Marilyn Chandler McEntyre (Weavings p.21 Vol. 25, No.2)  William Lutz has written a book called "Doublespeak" which addresses some of the ways we do this.
  • Definition: "Doublespeak is language that pretends to communicate but really doesn’t.  It is language that makes the bad seem good, the negative appear positive, the unpleasant appear attractive or at least tolerable.  Doublespeak is language that avoids or shifts responsibility, language that is at variance with its real or purported meaning.  It is language that conceals or prevents thought; rather than extending thought, doublespeak limits it."  p.1
  • Now read some of the examples given in Lutz’ book (p.1):
    • In Tucson, AZ there are no "potholes" – just "pavement deficiencies."
    • There are no more poor people – just "fiscal underachievers."
    • There was no robbery of the ATM – just an "unauthorized withdrawal."
  • Now that you get the idea, can you give some examples of doublespeak?
  • What are the advantages and the dangers of doublespeak?
• Often "doublespeak" is used to "reframe" hard truths into more palatable and digestible truth.  We have all told "little white lies." Who determines if they are little?  Why do we call them white?  Do the two adjectives "little white" change the reality of the noun – "lies?"   Below are some other examples from Lutz’ book (try to be open-minded rather than defensive as we ask the question – "Are we really telling the truth?"  Remember that the fruit of the light – last week’s Scripture – includes what is "true."):
  • Business world: the stock market did not fall – just "retreated" or "had a technical adjustment"
  • Military world: not war – just "defense"; not an invasion but a "pre-emptive strike"  (remember what I said about trying not to get defensive!!   )
  • Advertising world: not a check out clerk – but a "part-time career associate scanning professional"
• What are some ways we use doublespeak in the religious world?
• Jesus had a problem with doublespeak and doubleliving. 
  • Read  Matthew 23:13-31
  • Take your time and look at each different scenario and discuss what Jesus is trying to correct.
  • Read Matthew 5:37. How do you think this verse relates to the doublespeak we have been looking at?
• Set aside some time – at least 2 full minutes – of silence to give everyone a chance to do some self-searching for ways that we have been "doublespeaking" and/or ways that we need to "reframe" the truth so that it is fully the truth.
  • Regather and invite people to share as they are willing (notice I didn’t say as they are comfortable – this is not about our comfort – this is about truth).
• What are some ways that we need to "reframe" some truths in the following areas (this may require some thinking!!):
  • Nationally?
  • Culturally?
  • Economically?
• Be on the lookout this week for "doublespeak" and, if appropriate, point it out and invite people to the truth.
• Close in prayer for God’s guidance and courage to stand for truth.

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