TGIF
One of the more damaging and damnable results of social media is the misconception that we “know” each other.
We think we “know” someone through labels that we either take unto ourselves or are given to us by others.
We assume a huge number of things about each other because we assume that all “Republicans”, “Democrats”, “liberals”, “conservatives”, “Christians”,”atheists”, “evangelicals”, etc. all think alike, act alike, and follow tribal regulations to the nth degree.
For those who missed the memo, to assume “makes an ass of u and me”.
Worse, it caricatures whole persons made in the image of God.
Human beings are complex and contradictory creatures…they often don’t “make sense” to themselves, let alone other people.
We may know some things about what a person believes or how they act, but we usually have very little idea about why they believe or act the way they do.
The motives of the heart are difficult to discern unless you spend time in the presence of someone…and even then they may be disguised.
Still, we judge strangers…people who we have never met and may never meet… simply on the grounds of who they voted for or where they worship or another singular characteristic.
That judgment is usually completely affirming or completely condemning based on whether we agree with them or not on the one thing being judged.
This, despite the fact that we know nothing of how much they give to a family or community, how hard they work, what they suffer from, or any of the thousands of other variables that make a person who they are.
Engaging in real relationships with real people requires too much worth and is fraught with myriad risks…so we love and hate caricatures that exist in our minds behind the safety of a keyboard.
We are becoming a nation of judgmental narcissists who only desire to see and hear reflections and echoes of ourselves.
We and those who agree with us are the only good and righteous ones and the rest are wicked incompetents ruled by stupid and evil motives.
I know this because I have my own list of labels I loathe.
I know this because I see the sickness in my own soul and have chosen to remain unwell.
I want them to repent…
God, on the other hand…
In this season of the celebration of the Incarnation let us remember that God came in human flesh and dwelled among us…He didn’t sit behind a heavenly keyboard and light us up on Facebook.
He came to touch and be touched.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—”
He came that we might have real relationship with Him and each other, relationships marked by grace and mercy and love despite our differences.
It may require that you get out from behind the computer and touch someone…and be touched by someone.
It may require investing the time to know and be known by people you disagree with on something.
If, like me, you need to repent of creating caricatures of people rather than loving them as your neighbors,now is a good time to do so.
If not, keep in mind you wear your own labels…
Make your own application…
Amen. Good words. Thank you and blessed Holy Day Season to you.
To you as well, my dear friend…
I just deactivated my major social media account. The plan is to detox and see how life feels. The temptation is to up my presence on for example, Twitter, however one glance tells me that it is far more toxic than others, so that won’t go far.
Grace and Peace to all
Merry Christmas Dread
BD,
I understand why you would do so…but I also will lament that a voice of reason has left the building…
much needed reminders big brother, thanks!
Thank you, Dusty…blessings to you, sis.
In the last ten years I felt like I saw a lot of liver by the internet sword, die by the internet sword. If I incrementally and fitfully learned something about myself and people on the internet it’s that there’s a way to argue that an idea is a terrible, damaging idea, even a stupid and potentially evil idea … without automatically (or even ever) taking the extra step that is often the first step in internet polemic, calling a person stupid, terrible and evil. I had a lot of practice … but I had to notice the pattern in myself before dealing with it in others … a little.
Wenatchee,
We have to have the will to learn…and the discipline to act on it.
It’s harder for me than others…I’m a cynical coot…
I no longer do social media. I don’t think I am superior to anybody, and I do miss connecting with people on Facebook, but I can no longer do the dumpster fire of self-importance and politics. I also had to quit another blog when I realized I was only there to argue, and the last straw was when one person couldn’t admit to another person that they considered the other person a brother in the Lord, despite not having voted for the first person’s choice of candidate.
Yes, for me online interactions were for the most part becoming very toxic. I feel more community here.
Dan,
I’m glad you’re still with us.
It’s a daily effort to preserve that community and not become fashionably toxic…but it’s worth the effort.
Thanks Michael, and I and many others notice your efforts and appreciate the community here!
Michael
Well said.
I’ve tried to figure out what it is about social media anonymity that seems to encourage people to speak with absolute authority on a whole range of subjects. Sometimes open ended questions are a better mode for encouraging real discussion…