Maybe We Need a Zookeeper on Social Media
Early in the pandemic in England, one wildlife park had five parrots donated within just a few days of each other. Pressed for space, the park put the five birds in the same area and the birds got along well.
However, when the park recently reopened to the public, the zoo had a problem: the birds had spent the last few months alone, and had “taught” each other to use rude and profane language. So, in an attempt to keep things family-friendly, the zoo recently had to take the birds off of display.
For about seven months now, we have been holed up and, even if we are out and about some, we have been doing life very differently. Nerves are frayed and frustrations are mounting. It is all understandable.
Beyond that, for years now we have been sitting behind screens and building our own little worlds on social media. We have let people what we like and what we don’t like, and we have been bold enough to say why we feel that way.
But, as the tension of this year–with the pandemic, the election, the social unrest, and more–has grown, so has the propensity of many Christians to use words and language that are completely unbecoming of a follower of Jesus. It may not necessarily be “cuss” words (although I have seen a few euphemisms), but they are sarcastic, bitter, cutting, hate-filled words that do no good whatsoever for the cause of Christ.
Calling people “stupid” or “garbage” or “idiots,” even if I fully disagree with something, does zero good. Saying “every Republican” or “all Democrats” is typically not a true way to start a statement, and it is usually only said to stir people up.
(And don’t get me started on “omg” as some type of okay way to express frustration. Taking God’s name in vain is 100% wrong 100% of the time!)
It is sad that, like those parrots, many feel like they are caged up lately. What is more sad, though, is that we are acting like those birds when we are caged up and are willing to say rude and hurtful things.
Never mind that Jesus said we are to be peacemakers. Too many of us have become parrots.
And it’s time we stopped.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
