The Pope’s life is in danger. Universities must change mascots. People do not know how to address minorities.

And all because of political correctness.

Being politically correct has become one of the most important parts of our lives in just a short time. Only a few decades ago, the Pope could comment on anything in whatever manner he wanted to, and no one questioned the college mascot.

Today, the Pope’s life is threatened because of a short statement he made several weeks ago when addressing college students at University of Regensburg in Germany. Pope Benedict XVI, indirectly insulted Muslim’s faith by referring to Mohammed and using the terms ‘jihad’ and ‘holy war.’ The need to be politically correct not only forced people to consider what people think about a person, but to think about how their words affect their lives.

Colleges are forced to change their mascot now if it is named after a Native American, and the NCAA is forcing schools to change the name of their mascots if they have nicknames like “Indians.” McMurry University is currently dealing with this issue, and last year Midwestern State University, ACU’s rival in the Lone Star Conference changed its name from “Indians” to “Mustangs.”

To address a minority, people do not know how to begin to classify someone in a minority group.

For example, just to address Hispanic origin is difficult. There is Hispanic, Spanish, Mexican, Latino and many others based on the country of origin.

Problems with being too politically correct are forcing us to be sensitive and timid to the point of not being able to have honest conversation. If we can’t speak our minds then we will start taking steps backward with the offended, not forward.

As Christians, we need truth and honesty in discussion, but not without a healthy sense of respect and understanding of the person with whom we are talking.

The same goes for an offended party. Respect and understanding should replace fears of being too politically correct and making offensive remarks.