Battle Royale!
Ok, so maybe it’s a little silly. But Honestly…we’ve ALL seen them.
Facebook Feuds.
Whether we have participated or not, there is something interesting about people getting into an “internet cage match” without ever speaking face to face. When posting a seemingly controversial status update, folks who usually are lucky for a like open up a can of worms they may have never expected. It could be about anything too; religion, politics, Nickelback, or even Lady Gaga’s weird meat dress. No matter the issue, people are looking for something to talk about, something to believe in.
I’ll admit it…I’ve found myself, in my younger, more immature years, participating in such banter. :) How could I help myself? I am a passionate person! When someone is dissing someone/something close to my heart, I’m ready to throw some knuckles! Well…at least some digital ones. I have always had to ask myself in the end…was this worth it? Was the comment section of a status update the place to defend what I believe? Or am I leaving this forum of frenzy feeling more embarrassed than anything?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I am embarrassed about what I believe. I’m simply not. However, did I handle myself in a manner of maturity that really, at the end of the day, exemplified a peaceable follower of Jesus? Was Jesus truly excited about how I one-upped someone on Facebook? I know He would want me to represent Him well (even on the interwebs), but maybe not within the confines a useless quarrel.
Here’s my other thought: haven’t we ALL realized that e-mail, text messaging, and the like are HORRIBLE places to have a serious debate/confrontation?? Sheesh. I can’t tell you how many awkward conversations I’ve found myself a part of within some sort of digital arena that I wished I could have totally avoided. No wonder our culture is so afraid to confront each other, or even just totally dysfunctional at it. I’m convinced that face to face/ear to ear (?) conversation is the best way to hash it out, if necessary.
If you have found yourself participating in this kind of discussion online, as I’m sure many of us have, don’t take this as some sort of rebuke. Just consider this; is it worth it? Honestly, maybe it is sometimes! But the more I’ve participated in stuff like this, the more I’ve realized, most of the time, it’s just a waste of time. In other words, “60% of the time, it works every time!”
Now comment away and start a big argument about it! ;)
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” (2 Timothy 2:23)
