3 Reasons Why I Don’t Discuss Politics on Social Media Anymore
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On October 14, 2020 I posted a complete retraction of this post. You can read it here.
I used to really love to discuss politics.
My parents and I still have enlightening political discussions from time to time. We tend to agree on practically every political topic so in our discussions I’m often the student, learning something about American government and politics that I didn’t know before.
And while I can easily have a political discussion with friends of opposing views and not lose my respect for them, I’ll admit that it’s not as fun as it used to be.
The current political environment is too volatile and the level of corruption is so deep that it grieves me deeply.
I used to bring up politics a lot on social media.
And while I have never spoke in a degrading tone about a president, I would often strongly disagree with them (on both sides of the isle) and their policies.
And do you know what would happen?
People on my friends’ list, with whom I had never once engaged before….ever, would suddenly come out of the woodwork and stir up drama.
The first few times this happened I got really upset with them. “How dare they come on my profile and start drama!”
Then it occurred to me one day that I was the one starting the drama. Because let’s face it, politics is not a benign topic.
It’s not like we were discussing whether or not bananas are yellow when some lurking friend decides to start an argument saying that they’re actually purple.
Bananas being yellow isn’t up for debate. It’s not an opinion, its a fact. However, most political discussions are based on opinion.
And as they say, opinions are like noses:
- Everyone has one
- Most people’s are quite sizable
- They never stop growing
That day I decided to stop discussing politics on social media, but not just because I didn’t want to stir up any more drama.
No, there was a much deeper reason.
3 Reasons Why I Don’t Discuss Politics on Social Media Anymore
1. Nothing wholesome arises from discussing politics on social media
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never successfully altered anyone’s political opinion because something I posted on social media.
On the flip side, no one has ever successfully altered my political opinion by posting something on social media.
I will admit, however, that I have many times become agitated and frustrated by political memes of a mocking nature and degrading comments made about our President (again – on both sides of the isle).
My reaction to these memes and comments were often knee-jerk social media posts that only stirred up more drama, resulted in heated discussions, and most often ended in me deleting my post.
Stress occurred. Time and energy were wasted. Emotions grew heated. And nothing of value was gained in the end.
2. I don’t want to promote more division in the church
“But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” Titus 3:9-11 Emphasis mine
The Bible has much to say about unity…and disunity.
In fact, in Proverbs it says that those who sow discord among the church are an abomination to God. Abomination is a strong word, indicating wickedness and something completely abhorrent to God.
The church is made up of varied political opinions: ranging from liberal to alt-right and everything in between.
When we bring up political discussions on social media, we forget that while we can debate a political topic and walk away friends, there are those who become more emotionally involved.
- Friendships can be ruined.
- Disunity enters the body of Christ.
- Our testimony in the world is tarnished.
I have watched this play out on Facebook many times.
A Christian writes something of a political nature, several fellow-Christians swoop in and disagree….not in love, but in a spirit of superiority.
Heated words are exchanged.
Friends lists are cleaned out.
And the fracture that has occurred in the body of Christ over the past decade is widened even further as both sides are even more solidified in their politics of choice.
Having forgotten that we were not commissioned to go into all the world and spread our political opinions to all nations!
Our commission isn’t to build up the Democrat Party, the Republican Party, the Conservative Party, the Green Party, the Socialist Party, or any other party.
Our commission is to build up the Kingdom of God – and the Kingdom of God isn’t affiliated with any party at all!
3. Politics will not change our nation, but I know what will.
All of this time we spend listening to the talking heads on our favorite news channel or radio talk show…
All of this time we spend growing agitated over
- Fake news
- Growing political corruption
- The party occupying the White House
- The current decision by our legislators
is all time wasted that could have been used praying for our governmental leaders and current legislation.
Politics cannot change our nation.
The President cannot change our nation.
Legislation cannot change our nation.
But prayer will do more than just change our nation, it will change the hearts of the citizens of our nation – and that’s where true change must occur!
“…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
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Thank you for this post.
I am in complete agreement with you on this subject. I have to limit my time on FB because I run into these ridiculous posts being shared by my Christian brothers and sisters. It saddens me that fellow Christians are buying into a lot of the fake news being passed off as real, but I have had to come to the same conclusion, I can’t change them.
GOTTA KEEP PRAYING!
Rosilind, this is what has sealed my decision. Discussing anything remotely political has hurt my page, made me a target of social media decision makers, made me upset and taken my focus of the Lord to some degree! Thank you!:D
It is so easy to do, isn’t it? And it’s hard because we want to spread truth, but we’re often so limited on the platforms where we have the most influence!
I was just discussing this with myself earlier. Talking in private amongst friends and family is one thing. But when you post on fb, ppl will be offended. Your friends may agree with you and think it’s funny or whatever, but the damage spreads farther than you think it will. I would rather spread unity like you said, than offend someone about something that won’t matter one day. After all, we are pilgrims here. This world is not our home. One thing I love that my friend says, when someone asks her what she thinks about this or that, is “I DON’T think about it.” She also says she can’t vote for someone who agrees with taking innocent lives (abortion). To me, that’s a very honorable answer.
Yes – we must remember that we are just passing through, this world is not our home. While many political platforms are based on eternal, biblical principles, many are not. We must remember to remain vigilant and not drawn into needless debate, but pray for wisdom to know how to use the influence we have been given in this great earthly country!