Something dangerous is happening right in front of us. We feel it but are at a loss for words to describe it.
Words Are Being Stolen—and We’re Letting It Happen
The words that once held our society together—freedom, truth, democracy, among others—are being hollowed out, repurposed, and in too many cases, weaponized. They still sound familiar. They still feel powerful. But they no longer mean what we think they mean.
And when words lose their meaning, people lose their bearings.
That’s the unsettling premise behind At A Loss For Words., by Carol Off—a veteran journalist who has spent decades listening carefully to the world. As co-host of As It Happens, she conducted over 25,000 interviews. That kind of exposure gives a person a rare vantage point. She’s heard how language shifts—and how it’s being bent.
I spent a weekend absorbed in her book and mulling over her insights. The book unsettling, but not as much as our daily reality.
The Strategy: Divide, Distort, Repeat
Off argues that modern political movements—especially on the populist right—don’t just debate ideas. They reshape language itself.
“The radical right… succeeds by identifying an enemy who is displacing the real people.”
This is the playbook:
Create an “us” and a “them.”
Drive wedges between groups.
Convince people they are under threat.
Once that happens, trust erodes. Suspicion replaces understanding. And fear becomes a powerful political tool.
These divisions aren’t accidental. They’re manufactured.
And too many leaders are willing to exploit them.
Off doesn’t mince words:
We need leaders with the courage to reject fearmongering and the integrity to resist easy answers to complex problems.
Six Words That Define the Battle
Rather than writing a traditional political critique, Off organizes her book around six words:
- Freedom
- Democracy
- Truth
- Woke
- Choice
- Taxes
These aren’t just words—they’re battlegrounds.
Each one has been stretched, twisted, or emptied of meaning. Through them, she explores how disinformation spreads, how democracies weaken, and how language itself becomes a tool of control.
We feel the shift in Canada. The chaos in US politics is finding it’s way into the words and ways of some of our maple politicians.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Here’s the real danger:
“If our language doesn’t have a means to express an idea, then the idea itself is gone.”
This isn’t just about believing lies.
It’s worse than that.
It’s about losing the ability to tell what’s true at all.
When people no longer know what to trust:
- Facts feel optional
- Truth becomes negotiable
- Social cohesion begins to collapse
Without shared truth, there is no shared reality. And without that, democracy cannot function.
As Off puts it, the greatest threat isn’t deception—it’s disorientation.
Three Words in Crisis
1. Freedom
Once the rallying cry of the oppressed, “freedom” has been repurposed.
Off points out that in places like United States, freedom was never equally applied—excluding women, enslaved people, and minorities. Today, it’s often invoked to justify actions that undermine collective responsibility.
From convoy protests in Canada to the events of the January 6 United States Capitol attack, the word has been rebranded.
2. Democracy
Not a partisan term—but a commitment to govern for everyone. Off uses the term “liberal democracy,” not as in a political colour but as a value system,
That idea is under pressure from rising authoritarianism, ideological extremism, and movements that reject pluralism in favour of control.
Think Hungary, Slovakia, Florida. And Alberta?
3. Truth
The foundation of every healthy relationship—and every functioning society.
Yet we now live in an age shaped by “truthiness,” a term popularized by Stephen Colbert in 2025 to describe beliefs that feel true to the teller regardless of facts.
The problem isn’t just lying—it’s volume. Relentless, strategic, overwhelming.
The goal isn’t persuasion.
It’s exhaustion.
A world where people throw up their hands and say, “Who even knows what’s true anymore?”
That world looks a lot like 1984, and The Ministry of Truth’s “Freedom is Slavery” and “Ignorance is Strength”.
And uncomfortably, it feels closer than we’d like to admit.
A Seventh Word: Immigrant
In a 2025 interview, Off warned that a new word is being reshaped in real time:
Immigrant.
In a country like Canada—built almost entirely by immigrants—this word has historically carried pride and possibility.
That is changing.
Off warns it’s being reframed into something suspicious, even threatening:
“the other,” “aliens,” “replacement,” “vermin.”
Language like this isn’t accidental. It prepares people to fear. And eventually, to justify actions they might once have rejected.
That’s what makes this moment so critical.
We Don’t Have Forever
I don’t want to live in a world where rage is normal and truth is optional.
Off remains cautiously hopeful. She believes we can still reclaim our words—and with them, our shared future.
But she’s clear about one thing:
Time is running out.
Let’s Talk
What do you think?
Are words like freedom and truth changing in ways that concern you?
Do you see evidence of this shift in Alberta or across Canada?
I’m writing a follow-up piece on immigrants in Canada and Alberta. Watch for it.
I’d value your perspective. Please join the conversation and post a comment below.
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Good Morning Pastor Bob. I loved the topic today. A good read with my coffee. It is so relevant to what is happening every day. I am going to pick up this book…as soon as I finish my other books.. on my own reading list. I always have a book at my bedside table. It helps me to relax …to read before I fall asleep. Thank you for sharing your blog with us. Have a great week. ❤️ Keep on, keeping on. I always enjoy your topics.
“This is the playbook:
Create an “us” and a “them.”
Drive wedges between groups.”
Convince people they are under threat.…
I tried to explain this concept over lunch just yesterday. Don’t think I succeeded. Politicians have hooked us into their agenda but focusing us on one or two areas we are passionate about … and BANG we are hooked. This post says it much better … maybe I should read the book..So now my mind wonders, How does a local pastor and church protect against this? Lets focus of Jesus and unity… Thanks Bob
Thanks Rod for joining the conversation. I’m sure there are other thoughtful Christians who face the same context you do. Keep speaking up. It’s a good book.
We missed you in Calgary at Crescendo. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I will be at Edmonton’s Crescendo performance Pastor Bob…in May. Those 6 hours bus trips are becoming too much for this old gal. Being on our feet for hours at a time…through the sound checks, the rehearsals…then the actual performance is just too much. I’m turning 65 in November, which means that I will be collecting OAS…an official senior. LOL! I’m up at 3:00 am every morning. So, last year…by the time I got home…I was up for 24 hours…with a few winks on the bus ride home. Then still having to drive home from the John Cameron Studios. I decided last year…no more. My feet were like footballs for 1/2 the week afterwards. It’s a voluntary position …as much as I love singing with my choir sisters & brothers….My health is way more important. So, I will only be singing in Edmonton…moving forward. I can still enjoy the experience…only in Edmonton. I hope you will be watching in Edmonton in May. I will be singing my heart out. ❤️
We went to Calgary because we will be in Halifax leading a training seminar on the 9th. The choir was AWESOME! Well mic’ed. The entire performance was moving. John has rallied a lot of quality people to the cause. The stories told were intense and inspiring.
Hi pastor Bob – I don’t consider myself too political , but I see both sides using words that try to sway one – for instance : pro-life has now become anti-abortionists by the left, but as a child of immigrant parents that came to Canada without speaking English – I do agree that words matter and so much has been twisted around to serve agendas . I truly that as Christians we cling to Jesus and His words about loving the lost and helping the widows and orphans – regardless of ethnicity .
I can think of a few words missing from this list: Nazi, fascist, gay, marriage, woman, gender, emergency, border … Talk about disorienting when the word woman can no longer be defined based on scientific facts and millennia of rational understanding. Was that a far right idea? There seems to be an idea that “far right extremism” exists in a vacuum (there was no impetus) and without counterpart. Thing is, far left has become so normalized for media and pundits it’s not even discussed as an extreme. Many centrists normally camped in Democratic politics have left their party because they don’t recognize it anymore including some of those closest to President Trump. Did the right actually move right or did the centre move left and make the right look “far right” in comparison? I’m reminded of a Tony Campolo story where a wife complained to her husband they weren’t as close anymore, using the example that they no longer snuggled in the front seat when they drove. His response was “I didn’t move.” You use the word polarized frequently but are one sided in addressing those themes. I suggest some new inputs are needed to balance your outputs.
Hi Jill. I was hoping you would engage in this conversation. I appreciate your voice.
I remember Campolo’s illustration. You may have heard me tell it. 🙂
As you suggest, maybe a post about those additional words would be helpful.
First of all, my opinion is that the strategy of many, if not most, political leaders in power is to divide groups. That’s dangerous and easy to fall prey to. So I try to be conscious of that when I write and engage in comments. Uncompromised common ground is good ground.
You and I have lived through a notable shift in the last 36 years. It’s a different world in Canada, Alberta, and the US.
I think my focus on the right arises only because the right is my roots. My parents aligned with Conservative values. Or what were Conservative values. (Or maybe I was unaware or blind to what the values were six decades ago.) The quest to align with power, especially in the US, to legislate Christian outcomes is intolerable.
And yes, far right does not exist in a vacuum, but I have a far higher expectation of ethics from people of Christian faith so I tend to focus and be a little harder on my own tribe. Alignment with power and using the power of government to secure kingdom outcomes is the antithesis of the way of Jesus. He clearly disappointed his own people who wanted a Messiah to wield the sword and he offended the Romans because he wasn’t cowed by their earthly power. I see a trend to the evangelical church’s alignment with political power emerging in Canada among the blue party and particularly evangelical Christians who align with blue. (I’m using colour because even the words liberal and conservative have come to mean different things.)
What I also understand about me is that I have blind spots that can only be informed by people without those blind spots. I do work hard at listening and trying to be factual and objective. That’s an interesting endeavour.
I guess it depends what you mean by “legislate Christian outcomes” and “alignment with political power”. In the US they only have two parties, here there’s only one major one (federally) that even welcomes people with a Christian world view to participate. Do you recall what the previous leader of the Liberals said about anyone who didn’t support abortion? Not welcome, period. Where would you suggest we align? I and those likeminded I know don’t identify as Christian Nationalists which I venture to guess is true of the majority of those who vote blue here and red in the US. Is there a group who want to see Christianity imposed like Islam is imposed in other countries? Yes. And I agree that would be intolerable and perhaps those folks are truly far right. But that’s not who the label falls on. It falls on people like me who are sick of watching our country turn into something unrecognizable. A country where: a school trustee is fined $750,000 for stating the truth of 2 genders; the federal government, which is supposed to protect its citizens, is the one to literally trample, harass and terrorize its people, restrict travel, mandate an experimental medical procedure, seize bank accounts, promote abortion and euthanasia unequivocally, use tax dollars to fund all manner of immoral behaviour here and abroad and deem scripture hate speech; where pastors are imprisoned for keeping their churches open and other pastors cheered; a church is fined for having a worship service; public venues cancel Christian events but public rallies supporting terrorists are protected by law enforcement… need I go on? Sadly, I could. Isaiah talks about the inversion of good and evil in societies in decay and that is right where we find ourselves and why we must engage. Francis Schaeffer had many good things to say including this. (Remember the Moral Majority in the US?) “The Moral Majority has drawn a line between the one total view of reality and the other total view of reality and the results this brings forth in government and law. And if you personally do not like some of the details of what they have done, do it better. But you must understand that all Christians have got to do the same kind of thing or you are simply not showing the Lordship of Christ in the totality of life.“ I have no illusions that any politician or political party can or will save us. Only Jesus saves and we desperately need him. But we don’t abdicate our duties as responsible citizens. We engage, we make known and we “fight” for what we know to be true, moral and righteous in the totality of life, including politics.
It looks political, but really it’s spiritual. There’s an underlying current of the demonic happening. Everyone’s allowed to speak except for Christians. Everyone’s allowed to have an opinion, except for Christians. All ideas are acceptable, except for Christians. Bill C9 is limiting the voice of Christians. God‘s will needs to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This has been my prayer since the beginning of all these changes. God is on the throne. This world has forgotten the first Commandment.: have no other gods, or as Jesus said, “ Love the Lord God, with all your heart, soul and mind.” and because we have forgotten this, we have lawlessness because we no longer follow any of the Commandments, nor do we love our neighbour as ourselves. The 10 Commandments were set up for good government. we have lost our first love( Rev 2:4). Without God, nothing can make sense. Even the idea of God has become so twisted. This too is part of the strategy. May eyes open and hearts see the One who can only provide the truth.
Good observation, Adena about the spiritual. I hear your concerns about Christianity. My friend works as a chaplain with all elected officials in all parties at the Federal and provincial level. He prays with them, shares Scripture, and counsel. They trust him. If Christians work to keep and build on trust, like you do in your life, we can experience favourable relationships. Without compromise. My son is a public school teacher. I understand the limits he works with in the public system. However, he does work within them and builds respected relationships across many lines.
Love God first.
The way to love God best is through unconditional love of others. “all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’.” (Galatians 5:14) Keep helping others see the One who loves in grace and truth.
Interesting the perception of political parties. I know of Liberal MPs who are practising Christians. They are in cabinet. They participate in Christian groups in Ottawa. Maybe it’s a new day in the party. Maybe it’s an answer to prayer.
Which party to align with politically? I wonder what is better. A party in the US that does not espouse faith or a party that quotes Scripture in justifying illegal action? The US evangelical church has aligned with a government that has acted ungodly, unethically and illegally and stated they would fight with “no stupid rules of engagement.”
I do remember the Moral Majority. I thought it was a good idea at the time. In hindsight, the MM created a political ideology that prioritizes power and cultural supremacy over the teachings of Jesus.
Wholeheartedly agree with you that we can’t abdicate our duties as responsible citizens. I’ve attended a few all candidate meetings at the provincial and federal level. To describe the behaviour of some professed Christian candidates as rude is an understatement. The behaviour doesn’t represent the Jesus I know. But politicians are people. People like you and I who need a Saviour. That’s why I email with MLAs in both parties, our Prime Minister and senators, to ask questions, get clarity, and state my support for them as an elected official.
I hope you feel heard, Jill, especially about the COVID experience. We do see some of the same experiences in different light. Thank you for being in this conversation.