A while back I made myself a promise not to engage in fights, nasty comments, or other negative posts about politics on Facebook.
All in all I've been good and happier for it! Though I will not lie, I had a slip up yesterday.
However, as election season draws closer I'm seeing more and more posts that frankly leave me feeling sad...from both sides of the political spectrum.
So much name calling and vilifying of both parties isn't necessary. My mom always taught me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, then I should keep it to myself and she's right.
It's not that I'm advocating for everyone not to post their opinion. But if you have to use terms that involve the level of someone's preposed intelligence, cursing, or negative stereotypes, you're not really sharing facts or a reasoned opinion...
You're sharing hate.
I'm not free of this either. This year I've gotten closer, but I too am not perfect. However, by eliminating name calling and emotional posts I've found that I'm calmer, happier, and I'm able to love more...which Christ commands us to do.
Not just my family,
But those I disagree with.
Not just my God,
But those that hurt me with their rhetoric.
He calls me to love. All the time and in all places...even Facebook.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48
So before posting a picture that likens someone to Hitler or calls them a moron, let's think about Christ's greatest commandment- Love.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7
I think it would allow all of us a little more civility, and we might just find out we have more in common than we think.
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