I posted the following on my Facebook page...
I feel like I just need to post a really super long rant just to get it out of my system....
I hardly ever rant or rave on Facebook (or really in general). I usually just post goofy stuff or verses or just something about me hanging out with friends or maybe something very quick about my knee (which is usually the most boring thing ever- still torn- blah blah blah). Nothing too deep.
But I felt that since this is just one of many mediums used to communicate with others. It's only fair that I say something about what I believe, so there is no confusion or misunderstanding.
Oh and if I say something about what I believe it should be substantial. It can't be easily said with ten words or a hashtag. So I'm going to finish this off on my blog so I don't annoy anyone to deeply by the sheer length. I hopefully won't offend anyone by my tone. I'm not angry and I'm certainly not bitter. I'm not feeling particularly moody or hateful. I just want to be firm.
Oh, and this wasn't brought on by any one thing in particular- it's been slowly building.
In other words, I'm not reacting in anger towards a picture or poster I may have just seen or an article I just read. It's MANY pictures, posters, and articles.
Rant:
I have started to see an alarming rate of what some might call normal aspects of an evolving society that are starting to flood my Facebook feed here, besides just the normal bothers, "I don't agree with that choice" or "That person is clearly trying to get attention," there have been quite a lot of posts regarding gun control, abortion, gay marriage, the legalization of marajauna, Obama, race, North Korea...the list goes on and on.
[This is where the status ended]
And this isn't surprising.
I mean. We tend to want to talk about the things that make us feel most passionately. And I think it's absolutely great that there is a sort of polite discussion that can occur over social media. That CAN occur. Politeness can occur.
But usually doesn't. Well. We're a bunch of unloving sinners hidden behind a computer screen, it's not right but, well, it's the truth.
But that's neither here nor there. The main point is that social media can be used to post rants (like mine:)) and hopefully spark some meaningful discussion.
What I'm particularly alarmed about is the trivialization of these deeply, deeply passionate subjects. It happens on both sides of the political/ belief spectrum:
Example: (conservative) "I will post this picture showing Obama next to very evil men who also opposed gun control. Or I will just refuse to obey the government that God has put over me. That will show those Liberal Stalin-lovers."
(liberal) "I will change my picture to an equal sign because nothing says activism like changing your profile picture. Oh and an equal sign is a totally appropriate way to describe allowing two people of the same gender to marry."
I guess what I want to oppose, or stand against, is the idea of trivializing or dumbing down or using illogical arguments to talk about serious, serious issues.
For example, I see a ton of pictures with captions that say something to the effect of.... "We save trees but we don't save babies"
Ok, yes. That is very true. And how very evil of us to do so. In fact, God is so merciful to us that we aren't burning in hell for the murder of these precious ones. However, how does this sort of picture spark anything but a superficial debate?
Maybe post a picture like that every once in a while but not every day please. Post something meaningful that we can dwell our hearts and minds on. Such as, "How does Psalm 139 contradict the rights of a woman?"
Omgsh! God's word applied to social issue???
What I really love is when someone posts an article from a reputable blog or news source. to be honest, if the article is well-written and well-sourced, it doesn't really matter to me if they are the most liberal piece of liberalness...I can enjoy the fact that I'm being forced to think about a social issue critically.
Beyond just the moral question: "Is it right or wrong?" I also have to ask myself, "Why? Why do I believe that this is right or wrong? Why should I care for the people in one camp or another camp? Why? Why? Why?"
These questions lead me to become more and more informed, more and more defined in my own beliefs.
Look guys, posting a picture with a single phrase isn't wrong. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying I'm seeing a lot more of these and not a whole lot of actual argumentation, if that makes sense.
So basically, what I am left to assume is that this is the totality of that particular person's viewpoint can be summed up by the logic of that picture. Is that true? Is that the real argument you want to take on?
How about some basic guidelines. There's a common phrase that goes like, "if it's too good to be true...it probably is..."
I would amend that to say, "If the phrase sounds to wacky or unbelievable to be true, don't believe it until you have proof of it."
It's not as catchy but I think you know what I mean, hopefully.
Just make sure the things you post on Facebook are meaningful if they're going to be about something worthwhile. For example, yesterday I saw a huge mound of links to a blog where several articles were being published in an effort to uncover a horrific crime against humanity, the Gosnell case.
That was so helpful and I appreciate those who brought these articles to my Facebook. I also appreciate those who's statuses prove to be well- thought and polite.
At the end of the day, the picture or status you post isn't just a reflection of what you believe, but who you are. So make it worth the time, if it's going to be something you take seriously. If it's something you don't really give a hoot about, don't worry about it.
But if you do care, your posts should reflect that.
