I am increasingly convinced that the way Christians handle themselves online – whether well or poorly – communicates something important to our watching world. The temptation in our hyper-individualized culture is to think that our online personas are separate from the real world, so we can type whatever we feel like. Couple that with a culture that claims to value “being authentic,” and the result can all too often be outrage, anger, frustration, and thinking the worst of others. Yet, our online lives are really just extensions of our real lives. How you interact with others online – both those you agree with and those you disagree with – should exhibit the same care, grace, and love that you’d apply to speaking with somebody in person. To that end, here are three articles that I’ve found helpful about the news, misinformation, and our attitudes:
- Seth Lewis reminds us of the very real danger of becoming news junkies: “If I’m not careful, I could become an expert on the intricate details of global developments while simultaneously losing touch with the realities of what is going on in the lives of the people who live right in front of me. I could be praying about the needs of communities across the world (which is good), and at the same time forgetting or ignoring the needs of the community I physically live in. I could give towards the relief of strangers in real need (which I have) and never even notice the real (though less dramatic) needs of my own friends and neighbours. I could keep my head in the headlines and not even see the people beside me.” The whole article is well worth reading…
- Patrick Miller offers some well thought out reflections on misinformation online and how internet and social media tend to amplify things that aren’t true – or are at least unverified. As Christians, we are called to be discerning and to value what’s true, not just what’s popular or shocking. There is much wisdom to be found here…
- How can Christians speak with both truth and love? And how can we do that in-person and online? Tim Challies offers a few good thoughts…
