The personalized advertising Facebook chooses can be baffling. Some ads have me wondering what I wrote, said or searched for online.
What in my particular “al-gore-rhythm” concluded that bamboo textile hangers and a quilted table runner are on my wish list?
Since I write frequently about faith it’s unsurprising to see ads of a religious nature. Often, however, they are promoting individuals and organizations whose toxic religion and damage to the Christian witness are the sources of my critiques.
“Not interested” gets clicked a good bit.
Other ads make sense though unlikely to receive my cents: My hiking friends would find it fitting for me to wear the offered T-shirt that reads, “Look, a rock.”
And those faceless invaders of privacy know to pitch me stuff about baseball, bluegrass, national parks and human rights. And colorful silk ties that I buy but rarely wear.
All of this does, however, raise some good questions about who we are and how we are perceived.
This form of technological communication — largely unknown to many of us for a chunk of our lives — does not reflect tone or feelings. That’s why attempting to craft words, rather than just writing, is worth the effort.
It is easy to come across in ways unintended. Emojis aren’t enough — though a bit helpful.
Sometimes lightheartedness is seen as overtly serious. Some social media users sit on ready to respond harshly to anything they consider disagreeable.
And the repeated regurgitation of profound ignorance from unreliable sources is enough to justify the “snooze for 30 days” button if not a more permanent disengagement.
In this unusual time of division, extremism and growing authoritarianism it can be challenging to know how and when to speak via this method.
For many of us who seek to take Jesus’ life, teachings and calling seriously — and see the oft-ignored thread of justice that runs throughout the book we call holy —remaining quiet is not a faithful option.
There is an ancient and ongoing calling for people of faith to: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV
Being nice is nice. But silence in the face of injustice is not courtesy but cowardice.
While none of us has the whole truth, we can know what is expected of us in general.
Jesus summed it all up really well. In response to an inquiry about ultimate faithfulness, he did not post the 10 Commandments nor run for governor.
He didn’t stock up on weapons or create a 501-c-3 organization to influence government leaders. He didn’t insist that his face be placed on a coin.
He didn’t cover up for powerful persons who exploit and abuse the most vulnerable whom he deemed “the least of these.”
Instead, Jesus wrapped up all the laws and prophetic teachings into one simple to understand, but challenging to do, two-fold command: to love God with all one’s being and love one’s inclusively defined neighbor as oneself.
When we or any other person who claims to be Christian diverts allegiance to some conflicting ideology, it deserved to be called out.
Otherwise, we might as well just quietly scroll along and perhaps check out that really cool Christmas ornament — now available — in the shape of a six pack of Tab.
John D. Pierce, a retired editor and publisher, directs the Jesus Worldview Initiative (jesusworldview.org), part of Belmont University’s Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership.