Articles
Should You "Like" It?
You’re scrolling through your Facebook news feed and you read something that sounds agreeable or praiseworthy and you automatically click “Like.” What could possibly be wrong with that?
What might be wrong is that we can approve something about which we do not have all the facts. People often don’t tell the whole story on FB, and sometimes they are looking for support. Lest you think this is exaggerated, I am aware of a recent situation involving a wedding notice. Various ones reflexively hit “Like,” but the marriage blindsided the elders and its validity is questionable. And a chorus of “Likes” adds to the potential of unrest in the congregation.
This is not the only case I am aware of. There have been similar incidents in which I have said, “I can’t believe so-and-so liked that!” (Eye-roll here).
This highlights a weakness of social media. The format itself and the indiscriminate use of it promote impulsive, shallow participation that may unwittingly communicate things we do not intend. It is too easy to push a button and convey support of something that instead deserves to be censured or ignored.
John forbids receiving or greeting the false teacher, “for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 Jn 11). It follows that congratulating someone on other questionable behavior constitutes similar support that we should take care to avoid.
