If you've ever been to the islands (any of them), then you've heard of the coconut telegraph (also known as the "grapevine" if you're from a small town). It's the way information, usually gossip, gets passed around to the occupants of a particular place. 20 years ago it only took about 2 days time for info to travel around a small town. Now? It takes less than 20 minutes. Ah, Facebook, the world's most reliable source of information and everyone's favorite place to complain, vent, soapbox, judge, politic or basically just say every thought that comes to mind....ever. The place where young girls can post pictures of themselves in their bikinis at the beach or the pool for all the world to see and for young boys to comment on how sexy those girls are in their 14-year-old bodies. The place to spread the gospel. The place to spread gossip. The place to show countless pictures if your kids, your husband, your dog or your "duck face" to 5 people who might care and 50,000 who couldn't care less but read your status and look at your pictures anyways, then talk about how obsessive you are to their friends. I have wrestled many times about whether or not to delete my facebook account. I am a people person and love being connected to my friends and family who live far away from me. However, lately I have found myself in conversations with people about things we saw or heard about on facebook. And these are usually not uplifting conversations.
It is sooo much easier to type something than it is to say it to someone. As part of my job at an elementary school I research bullying quite a bit and the cyber bullying phenomenon is really something. Kids (and adults) are super brave online, which in my opinion is not a good thing. We say things on facebook or through a text message that we would never have the guts to say in person, but the problem is it hurts people just as bad as if it were in person. God's Word says that the tongue is a double edged sword, used to both bless and curse. It's so true and technology is making it easy for us to bless and curse in the same status update.
There's been a growing number of "controversies" online lately, today's in particular being the Chick-Fil-A ordeal. Unfortunately, most people have decided which "side" they are on before they know any truth about a situation. And everyone keeps telling everyone else that they're being judgmental, and everyone's a bigot (that word is used out of context so much it makes me want to vomit). I am an American citizen. I love the 4th of July and the Olympics when I get to celebrate my country and my freedom. What's going on today is sad in my opinion. I'm not talking about the millions of people who ate or are eating at Chick-Fil-A, I'm talking about all of the talking... allll of the talking. Just because we have the freedom of speech doesn't mean we should use it so much! Yes, I realize I am saying this on a blog...
I have my beliefs. Most people who know me personally know my beliefs. Lots of people (including some of my best friends) don't agree with some of my beliefs. Does this mean that one of us is a bigot because we disagree on a topic? No. I am a big girl. If there was a Chick-Fil-A in Ohio County, KY, I could decide whether or not I wanted to eat there. Today, I decided to eat lunch at Subway. I have no clue what the CEO of Subway's views are on marriage, abortion, Jesus or anything else for that matter. The only thing I do know is that they make buffalo chicken sandwiches which I 100% agree with. If the owner of Subway came out and said he (or she) supported same sex marriage I would still eat Subway. That's his right and his choice to believe what he wants. He did no harm to me by his belief. I may disagree with him but who cares? I disagree with a lot of people. But just because I agree or disagree with you does NOT mean that I hate you. I disagree with abortion in most cases, but that does NOT mean that I hate any woman who has ever had one. People are complex creatures. Everyone is unique in our DNA, our family, our environment and our personality. God designed us that way. How can I claim to know something so intimate about someone I've never met (aka Dan Cathy) such as who he hates based on a belief of his? Barrack Obama also made a statement not too long ago that he believed marriage was between a man and a woman (obviously he changed his mind). Guess what happened to him? He was voted president. Now the CEO of one of America's favorite fast food chains says the exact same thing and political leaders of Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. are threatening to boycott his restaurant. All because they disagree with him. Is that what America is about? If I lived in any of those cities I would be very disappointed in my local government for telling me I can no longer eat at a restaurant because they don't personally agree with the CEO's beliefs on marriage. Just like my Subway example, it wouldn't be right either way.
Let me decide where to spend my money. Quit trying to look like a hero by letting us all know that you think so and so is a bigot because they disagree with you. Think before you act. Think before you speak. I'd love it if facebook went back to being a place where we could post one picture of ourselves, a little blurb about our lives, maybe a quote or two and be done with it. If we wanted to talk to someone we could call them, go see them, or even send them a personal message. But that's not going to happen. People will continue to use social media however they want to. It's your right to use it however you want to, and it's my right to delete my account, which will be happening soon. I can't wait to see what kind of presents God has for me when I'm spending my time actually investing in his children instead of reading about where they ate lunch today and getting frustrated at their silly status updates. I hope to honor God and love people in everything I do. That's it. Facebook is not inherently evil, but it has become bad for me. It may not be for you. I know several people who use their facebook to love those around them, near and far. Keep doing that! God surely has presents to send you no matter how you use social media, as long as it's for His glory.
