Facebook Users, You're Doing It Wrong.

I’m talking to you. In real life, you might be a bit of an antagonist. It might have started with an iffy post that created some stir and bad feelings in the comment section of your status. But, now it’s getting out of hand: you’re a Chronic Facebook Ranter.

Please stop.

I plead with you to stop. I know you have the best intentions about the new Supreme Court decision or Planned Parenthood or any other controversial topic. I understand where you are coming from; I even agree with some of your values. The plea is not for you to stop educating yourself and forming opinions. The plea is to stop creating unnecessary drama by posting not your opinions, but judgment on those with opposing opinions.

Hey, you - the one condemning those with views unlike your own, I have a question for you. When you post about said topics on social media, what is your goal? If it is to get some venting done, I would challenge you instead to call up a friend with the same political agenda and moral values to discuss how you can contribute to a positive change. If you are doing it to somehow “convert” your fellow Facebook friends, I would love to give you a word of advice about telling someone they are wrong. Chances are, they know you disagree - it's not news. The reaction nine times out of ten is not going to be positive, and it will certainly not change their perspective.

Frankly, if you are a Christian, I would go out on a limb and say that Christ is not glorified in such posts. Granted, Christ would certainly not agree with all of your Facebook friends' perspectives. However, He may not agree with every choice and value in your own life, either. Matthew 7:3 says,"And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?" I am not saying that some of these topics are “specks”, but look at yourself before you start a rant about someone else's wrongdoings. Some of your posts hurt people that I care deeply about. People I care deeply for, and have lived side by side with, have done things they may not be proud of. However, your posts about how awful some actions are actually makes them feel worse. As new creations in Christ, we were forgiven by God. We should practice that same action towards others.

On the same token, as Christians, it is not our duty to convert people to do biblical things if they are not Christians. This society is considered “worldly,” meaning it’s absolutely normal for it to be full of things that go against what we as followers of Christ believe is right. We are not called to judge and condemn those without the Love of Christ in their life for acting sinful. We are called to love them. We are not supposed to force people into church, rather bring the church to the people. Now, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t tell our brothers and sisters in Christ when their actions are not biblical. Certainly, we should stand up for what is right and promote productive conversation about these topics, but the key word being productive.I am saying that the audience that you direct your posts at have no reason to follow your rules. Shaming isn’t going to change a thing.

Rather than posting on social media, you should disciple people and become acquainted with some of those people that you believe are doing wrong. You will never gain anyone for the Kingdom by making people defensive, offended, and left to feel under attack. In the end, we are all made in the image of God. We’re all lost. I’m certainly not going to cast the first stone (John 8:7). No one has ever overturned Supreme Court cases by complaining and arguing over Facebook. Certainly, no one has ever saved a baby's life by telling a mother considering abortion that she’s a failure. Instead of pointing fingers behind a screen, we need to help others. If you put half the effort into helping single moms, people in poverty, and other roots of abortion as you do posting about how awful of a person she is for getting one, we might be able to change someone's life. We are not called to accuse; we are called to love. I love you enough to tell you that. You're not helping the causes we might be both fighting for. Instead, you’re making it harder for those who have found productive ways to help the cause.