I’m unfollowing you on Facebook, bless your heart. Not unfriending, but I won’t be seeing your posts, at least for now.
And as I’ve mentioned before, “bless your heart” is a pastor’s code word…
…it’s code for “what an idiot”. I know that’s something as a pastor I’m not supposed to say. But I’m afraid it’s the only response that fits the way you’re acting right now.
I’ve loved Facebook since the first time I logged on. It helps me get reconnected with old friends. But most of all, I’ve loved making new friends with people I don’t always completely agree with. I think it’s a magical thing when folks who disagree can still choose to get along.
I always believed that was a possible, even noble goal. But now, not so much.
I’m going to blame that conclusion on two groups. One is my friends of various political affiliations. The other is me.
It seems some of my friends think I should be OK with the most hateful rhetoric imaginable on their pages. Some of those posting are Christians, I’m sad to say. They’re the ones who are always upset about some religious issue or political idea.
I’ve written about them in articles like this one before. I really wish that, until they can calm down, they’d stop telling people they’re Christians. Maybe just say you’re a Pisces or in the Kiwanis Club.
The last place your anger fits is in the fellowship of those who follow Christ!
But others who bother me are people who claim to be my friend but seem to absolutely hate Christians. Truly, many of their posts and memes would rightly be considered hate speech if uttered about any other religion. But for some reason, insulting, misleading and out-right mean statements painting all Christians with a broad brush (“hypocrites”, “bigots”, etc.) are considered acceptable.
My dear, precious friend: you ought to be ashamed.
You insult my faith, lump me in with the worst examples of any jerk who happens to call themselves Christians, and ridicule that which is most precious to me. And then you pretend to be my friend.
Why don’t you just go ahead and insult my mom while you’re at it!
Sure, I can respect the fact you don’t believe. But the truth is, it is you who are intolerant. You truly cannot stand for anyone to have a differing belief with yours.
You post things suggesting Christians actually have no right to vote based on our religious convictions. You call into question any elected official who shows even the slightest sign of faith, stating their beliefs somehow cloud their reason.
You call many of my Christian friends “nazis” just because of some conviction of theirs, yet it is you who are oh so much closer to discriminating against people based on their religion. If you had your way, I truly believe people who trust in Jesus would be completely silenced in the public square and banned from public office.
You can deny it, but your posts are crystal clear for the world to see. And I saw them, and was hurt by them continually.
Speaking of politics, there are my friends who are so passionate about their political views they feel the need to cram them in my face, so much so I feel forced to take sides one way or the other. If I respond, you often don’t like it. If I don’t respond, it appears I agree with you. Either way, I can’t win at just being kind.
I get the fact you do not like the new president. If you disagree with a politician, fine, but Jesus said to “Love your enemies”. But now, you seem to think it’s OK in your posts to wish death upon him and his family. Seriously?
Shame on you, my friend.
I’ve even held my tongue on issues I feel passionate about, for fear they would hurt our friendship. There are times I wanted to post something I found quite timely or true about the issue of human life, and how sacred it is. But I am ashamed to say, I’ve too often backed away because I knew you were not mature enough to stay friends with a vocal “pro-lifer” – even one who had really logical reasons for believing that way.
I often thought about giving it back to you the way you were dishing it out. I see your blatant hatred for people you disagree with and it occasionally makes me want to hate you right back…
Which brings me to the second person I blame in all this: me. Ultimately it’s because of me I’m having to unfollow you. And that’s because of one very sad weakness I’ve discovered in me…
I’m having trouble loving you right now.
The Bible warns us to guard our fellowship and love for each other:
“But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” – Galatians 5:15
When I feel so insulted, so disgusted by what I hear come out of a friend’s mouth (or read on their page) that I’m consumed with anger, that’s the time to walk away so that the love can remain.
You see, in the end I believe relationships are more important than politics…
People > opinions.
And I’m determined no one is going to make me stop loving people. I used to believe we could all learn how to “play nice and get along with others” as they taught us in kindergarten – that we could “agree to disagree agreeably”.
I no longer believe that. At least, not right now.
My hope is that things will calm down in our country and people will learn to cherish each other again, more than they cherish the sound of their own voice.
But for now, I’m not responding to any more of your posts. I won’t engage in any more back and forth with you, at least until it’s safe again.
No lie – I’m gonna miss it. I loved the banter back and forth, and seeing pictures of what’s happening in your life. But it’s turned into something totally different now…
It’s a giant billboard for you to vomit your anger on the rest of the world.
I’m not saying I’ve never done that, I’m just saying I don’t want to be that person. And out of love for you, I’d like to try and stay in my imaginary world and believe you’re not that person either.
See you soon when it’s safe to come out again,
Dave
