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Keeping Your Content Neutral
Warning: If you’re a person who believes religion should not only be a part of your life but everyone else’s as well, please change the channel and find something else to read.
What would you do if you were in a situation where the views expressed in a document will be associated with your name or that of your business – but those views go against your own?
I very rarely rant. I have a slow-burning fuse and I’m usually the one talking James down from the ledge of the bell tower when he has a sniper rifle in his hands. He doesn’t get upset easily either, but he has his trigger points, like we all do.
Growing up in the
James and I faced a situation this week where we had to take a look at how we felt about our association with a project. The project had been going along smoothly, until the client requested a religiously sensitive addition. James recommended an edit to make the addition more neutral and wide-reaching.
The client refused the suggestion and included heavy-handed opinions and patronizing comments in his reply. James blew.
Luckily, he knows how to avoid a knee-jerk reaction. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t react, though. He ranted and typed out at least 20 different replies, deleting each one after pouring out his anger. He wanted to drop the project rather than have our names associated with the content, but I asked James to hold off on a decision while I took a closer look at the situation.
I have some advice: When it comes to your business, unless your target market involves politics or religion, keep sensitive matter under wraps. Remember who you’re writing for.
Some people believe that church-going right-wingers are the majority of people shaping large and small business today. They write their content accordingly, including quotes from the bible or other references to their religious following.
Don’t do it. Don’t risk offending or excluding readers who have different sets of religious, political, and moral values than your own.
I find it a huge turn-off when the author of an informational piece of literature I’m reading and enjoying suddenly spouts scripture, chapter and verse. I have big issues with people who take on the holier-than-thou attitude. Even if the author has the best intentions at heart, the matter still rubs me – and many others – the wrong way.
Americans are pushy when it comes to their views. I try to be aware of that trait in myself and be the exception to the rule. I’ve seen how Americans appear through the eyes of other cultures. I understand James’ frustration when he rants over someone else’s carelessness and lack of tolerance or respect.
While there might be a current trend in the
I have no problem with any belief or religious group. To each his own, and to each the freedom of choice. I do have a problem with people who try to shove my nose in their religion, though.
Want to know my religious associations? Want to know who I’m going to vote for in the next election? Send me an email and ask me. You won’t find out by reading any of the web content or ebooks we produce.
An article on Buzzle.com says, “There are also the zealots who are responsible for a dramatic rise in legal-based action. Since 1992, The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports a 29% spike in the number of religious-based discrimination charges, making those the third-fastest-growing claim, after sexual harassment and disability.” Luckily, I’ve never personally experienced extreme religious discrimination, but I know many friends who have gone through that situation.
Do yourself and your business a favor: Separate religion and business. Remember your target audience and keep your content neutral.
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I have been contemplating this same issue in reverse. I’m getting ready to re-launch one of my blogs, and it will reflect my personal thoughts — much like a journal. I have wondered though, whether it would be safe to write about about political or spiritual beliefs, or my own personal philosophies, since my name will be tied to the site, and could be easily linked to my own freelance writing business.
On the one hand, I feel it’s best to keep my opinions to myself. I don’t want to lose a client or prospective client because they don’t agree with views I’ve shared in a public forum. On the other hand, as a writer, part of what I do involves using my writing skills to share my views and knowledge. I would hope that my professionalism would be judged by the content on my business site, but I’m just not sure if it’s a risk I should take.
You’ve pointed out an important and complex issue. I’m sure I would turn down or walk away from a project if it required me to write or act in ways that are contrary to my own ethics. And, I wholeheartedly agree with your position on the matter.
I’m curious as to how this situation turned out — did you walk?
-Melissa Donovan
Writing Forward
@ Melissa – I must’ve written at least 30 replies and deleted every one of them. While I was doing that, Harry was carefully reading through every word of the content again and taking a very objective view of the situation.
We didn’t walk. We weren’t happy, but we both agreed that the references were somewhat relevant. They could have been worded far more neutrally and still had the same impact – but in the end, it wasn’t worth the fight.
We took a deep breath, grit our teeth for a few days, and we let it go.
What we realized was that we were far more upset about the email with its strong opinions and intolerance to other cultures. We weren’t happy about the additions, no, but we could live with them.
I’m probably far more trigger-sensitive than Harry is on this matter. He’s American and used to that culture’s ways. I’m not, and I’ve had a very hard time adjusting. While I realize that the U.S. is the biggest online market in the world, I’m very aware as a Canadian that it is not the only market.
As advice for your own blog, Melissa, I can only give you my personal views (and please note that I’m even uncomfortable writing them):
There is one freelance writer I know that has a blog. Her work is good, her writing is solid and she’s a professional. However, I tend to comment very little on her blog and have passed up the thought of hiring her because she clearly states her beliefs on her blog, even promoting them.
I have no issues reading a small sentence that mentions personal views and beliefs, and I’ve stated my own (quietly) at times. But I can’t help but wonder: Will that writer be objective? Will that writer start sending me “get into God” emails or signing off with “may God bless your soul”? Can that writer write neutrally on topics like “the choices you have when you are pregnant” or “finding your perfect partner to love” or “planning your wedding celebration”?
It’s a very complex issue, as you say. I think it’s okay for people to be themselves, but in a quiet, mutually tolerant and respectful manner.
One more thought: Note that all the big blogs out there very rarely include any sentence that isn’t neutral.
@Melissa: Sorry, would have answered sooner but the power got knocked out here. James said it all. We didn’t walk. It took a large effort on my part to step back (several times) and view the situation from an outside perspective. I’m glad I did, though. I’m proud of the fact we could realize what the real problem was.
For your personal blog, have you considered writing it under a pen name instead?
James and Harry,
I agree that a blog which represents a writer’s professionalism should remain neutral. Since I generally avoid flaunting my opinions (online) about controversial topics, I think I’ll be safe. The best course, I think, is to use sound judgment with each post. I’m a pretty conscientious writer, so I don’t think that will a problem.
Yes, a pen name is a great idea, and something I have considered. Should I ever launch really opinionated blog, I will definitely do so anonymously.
Thanks for the great feedback!
-Melissa Donovan
Writing Forward
I totally hear you on the religion issue; there are a couple of business blogs I read that sometimes make references to religious beliefs I don’t share. Not that there’s anything wrong with someone not sharing my beliefs, but when I’m reading a blog about freelance writing I don’t really want to hear about religion. For the most part I haven’t been bothered enough to stop reading, but I probably would if it got too frequent. I think in blogging there’s a fine line between showing your readers who you are (which keeps them interested and helps them identify with you) and making some feel excluded by voicing personal opinions they don’t share.
@ Jennifer: I’ve read a few blogs like that, where every so often something the writer says gives me the slightest hint of a feeling I’m getting preached at. Like you, I’ll ignore it. My philosophy is if I don’t like what I’m reading/viewing/hearing, I’ll change the page/DVD/station.
Sometimes it’s a lot more subtle. Take the movie Narnia, for example. I grew up on those books and not once when I was a kid did I think there were any underlying religious implications going on. It wasn’t until the movie came out and a bunch of people started raising a stink about it that I noticed. Did that make me like the books or the movie less? No. The same with Harry Potter and all the people complaining about the occult themes going on. Just let your kids enjoy the literature for what they see in it, let them figure out the subliminal political and religious issues later when they’re old enough to understand it – if, indeed, there are any in there to begin with.
I’m glad there are others who feel the same way. I was recently bothered by the numerous debates that sprouted about holiday greetings. It seemed the majority frowned on the unbiased, “Happy Holidays” alternative and were insulted that some of us would choose an unbiased greeting rather than wishing them a “Merry Christmas”. When it comes to the holiday greetings I’m sticking to “Happy Holidays” and “Seasons Greetings”. For those who don’t celebrate a “Merry Christmas” the wish is pointless.
Like you, I feel we each have the right to believe what we choose to believe. I don’t like sermons in my every day reading and I would rather have others respect my own right to believe my beliefs. While I’m not easily offended a heavy dose of religion is an instant bounce from me.
I feel it shows a great deal of respect and openmindedness to be aware of the religious and cultural differences of our readers. The internet provides access for users around the world and we have to become aware of the multinational connections we make. That’s not to say you can’t hold your own beliefs or write about them; simply be aware of your tone and your target.
@ Rebecca – You should’ve seen us each time we had to write something new and sign it off. Merry Christmas? No. Uh, season’s greetings? No, I didn’t like that one… Best wishes? Okay that wasn’t bad… Happy holidays? Hm. Is everyone on holidays? Huh… dunno…
*researches religion to figure out who is on holidays and who is not* Oh, no, wait, see, this group isn’t… neither is that one… *sigh*
It was a real zoo. Toss in Harry’s beliefs and my own (we have differing ones) and it was a riot to figure out what salutation to write.
@Rebecca: I wouldn’t say the wish is totally pointless. Personally, when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I just smile and wish them the same. Now, if someone were to wish me Happy Hanukkah, I’d probably bust out laughing. Of course, that would never happen. My friends and family know I’m not Jewish and Hanukkah hasn’t been commercially hammered into our heads like Christmas has.
Overall, I really don’t make a big deal out of it. There’s a difference between someone who means well and someone who’s trying to push something on you.