Who Would Jesus Troll?
“Understand this, my dear people: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” – James 1:19
Access to social media has revolutionized the way we communicate.
Social media leveled the playing field for those who would otherwise have no voice in politics, culture, and commentary. Imagine a world without #BlackLivesMatter calling for racial equality, or a world without #LoveWins celebrating same-gender marriage.
We celebrate, protest, and lament through social networking.
Through posts and tweets, we also have new ways to proclaim the gospel. I am always blessed when people say about the United Church of Christ that they “never knew a church like this existed” or that our inclusion “saved their lives.”
But when I read this passage from James, I wonder if he would have been a fan of Twitter. Or Facebook. Or the infamous “comment section.”
Social media may be an amazing tool, but it often brings out the worst in us.
We’d rather assume being right is more important than being kind. We’d rather dismiss a viewpoint than encourage a conversation. We’d rather be the first to make a statement than the first to start a movement.
God’s commandments to love don’t change just because we’re in front of a computer screen or a smartphone.
When we proclaim we are hurting people on social media in the name of the gospel, we disrespect ourselves, we disrespect our faith, and we disrespect our God.
Before you start a Facebook or Twitter war in the name of our Lord, ask yourself one question.
Who would Jesus troll?
Prayer
Let the words of my tweets and the meditation of my posts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord. Amen.
About the AuthorMarchaé Grair is the Director of Public Relations and Outreach for the Unitarian Universalist Association and a member of South Euclid United Church of Christ, South Euclid, Ohio.