Top ten reasons I’m not often on Facebook

TEN: People who are not friends and don’t know one another, call one another “friends” and publicly argue.

NINE: If, ten years ago, I had told you such a place existed, as described in number ten, none would have wanted to go.

EIGHT: In my own small way I am saying the models of friendship and connection endorsed by social media are not always healthy. In fact, I believe Social Media leans toward dysfunction.

SEVEN: There exists a certain dissonance in listening to John Coltrane and reading Facebook. I chose Coltrane.

SIX: Though I never tire of cute animal posts, I tired of human beings behaving like unpleasant animals.

FIVE: I got tired of Christians straining out gnats in a mad dash to swallow camels.

FOUR: Facebook is home to Christian trolls who spew public hate, particularly toward LGTB and Muslims. They try to reframe their hate as love. “If you love someone you tell them the truth even if it hurts.” “Telling someone they are going to Hell is actually a loving thing.” I don’t share fellowship with those Christians and pray God shows them the grace and mercy He has shown me.

THREE: BTW, I was right. I knew I would not miss the trolls who insist they express love as they endorse hate. When this is shared on Facebook, you may see some of these trolls in the comments (which I will not read). I can guarantee you they will send me private messages (which I will not read).

TWO: Lincoln was right when he advised, as if speaking of Facebook, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bond of affection. We can again be touched by the better angels of our nature.”

ONE: And, as Jesus said, “No greater love hath any man than this: to  argue and insist he is right.”