​Is YouTube Systematically Shutting Down Christian Channels?

After hearing people talking about it, I was curious. I started thinking. And, friends, those of you who grew up with me, already know my way of thinking can be a little unorthodoxed. So, when you read something I wrote, you are already prepared to read something that many may consider, "out there!"

Anyway, after hearing what people were saying about YouTube and how they were systematically shutting down Christian channels, I just had to do some research to find out what in the world was going on, and I must forewarn you that my conclusion might not be popular among Christians. So, after looking into it, here is where I stand.

We live in a society where we are required to be politically correct or else be ridiculed or silenced. That is what happens on all social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

On being politically correct, we now have to recognize a list of people considered a “protected class.” Often, these people self-identify themselves and they expect society to recognize them as whomever and whatever they identify themselves with.

In being politically correct, we must conform to the knowledge that people with limited learning abilities are no longer called mentally retarded; they are to be called mentally challenged. People in wheelchairs are not handicapped; they are physically challenged. Never mind that the blue placard and blue signs for parking spaces reserved for physically challenged people are marked “Handicapped Parking.” The list is long, and we, as a society, had best keep up with the list lest we be banned by one of the social media authorities. And, be even more mindful that Christian people are watched more closely than others. Christian people need to keep up with social media guidelines and standards just the same as others.

Granted, Christian people use the Bible as their guide and the Bible is very clear about behavior standards. For example, the Bible is very clear about the sexual behavior of males and females. A Christian keen on adhering to Biblical standards had best keep their beliefs in check when catering to public social media sites because speaking out loud about such issues can quickly get a Christian banned from just about anywhere.

When a popular Christian-based YouTube channel was banned, there was a severe uproar among Christians. I understand their initial reaction. However, when people look more closely at why this channel was banned, people will see that it was not banned because of its Christian content. This channel was banned because the publishers started posting misleading political statements and spreading misinformation about Covid-19.  Other lesser-known Christian platforms were being banned for the same reasons as well. Regular people are being banned just as big establishments; however, ordinary people do not get noticed. When banning happens to a trendy Christian channel, people start to make noise, bringing much attention to it. When banning happens to the little guy, you rarely hear anything at all about it.

​As a side note, take me, for example. Facebook threatened to shut down my Facebook page because in one of my replies to a friend, I said, “Praise Jesus!” Facebook said my comment did not fit the community guidelines. Facebook went further to say it was considered bullying. I suppose if I scrutinize the community guidelines, I might find a ruling regarding such phrases referred to as "outbursts" of a bulllying nature. Maybe the Facebook algorithms see the words Praise Jesus as a command, or something like that. I don't know. What I do know is that when I was warned about my comment, there was no uproar. There was no gathering of people to protest. There was no major newscast about it. But, if I were a popular Christian channel, the whole world would have known about it, and people would have begun chanting and protesting that Facebook was banning Christians! Alas, I am just a little old me, and Facebook’s threat went upheld quietly.

After much research, I concluded that YouTube is not systematically banning Christian channels. Like many other channels being shut down, Christian media are becoming bolder in their broadcasts and not sticking to the guidelines that have been set in place. If we want to be on public sites, we have to abide by the rules laid out for us on these public sites, regardless of whether or not we like the rules. And, yes, it is a challenge to be a Christian in today’s society. For the most part, Christians who adhere to fundamental Christian standards tend to be accepted across the board.

My research concluded that any establishment that dishes out unverified information, whether Christian-based or not, is liable to be banned from any social media platform. It is just that plain and simple. Nothing more.

Copyright Marlene Bertrand 2021, All rights reserved.