The Ironic War of 2020

Social media is a melting pot of ideas, personalities, and perspectives. I am all for it and yet....I have some thoughts.

The goal of this contrast and comparison is to point out the irony of the social media war happening or that happened on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Whatever side you land on, I hope you can appreciate the similarities between the two opposing groups. Taking center stage, we have two tribes, each formed because of their differing opinions about the US's approaches to COVID.

Let's define it — the Tribal Mindset

A tribal or camp mindset is a group of people loyal to a set of shared beliefs. Out of loyalty to these beliefs or ideals, they take arms against the enemy. The enemy is anyone with differing or opposing views.

The Tribes

(*this is a simplification as going over all the details would take too much time)

In group one, we have the outspoken pro-maskers. They believe that it is their social responsibility to protect themselves and their community from one virus.

In group two, we have outspoken pro-righters. They believe it is their constitutional right to choose not to wear a mask, because COVID is one virus among many.

Both groups have their reasons and feel they are right, making them very bold when offering their opinion on social media.

Aggressive Behavior Clarified

I am all for sharing information. What concerns me is the lengths many have taken to condemn, berate, and belittle another person for their viewpoints. They use their words the same way a Viking might swing a sword. The goal is not a *mature, intelligent conversation, but to inflict life-stealing blows not just to the other person's argument but to the other person's character. When I see these posts or replies, I don't see a mature warrior wielding a sacred weapon (I will come back to this) with expertise. No, I see a careless child waving around a stick, poking out eyes, and causing damage. Mature, intelligent conversation does not mean backing down from important issues. It is not comfortable and it does not resemble a Disney movie. It can be not easy, but it always values the other person, even if the other person's views amount to nothing.

The Fear Factor

While both tribe's reactions look different, their core issue (or one of them) is the same. FEAR

Both groups fear loss and the unknown. I get it, 2020 has been full of scary unknowns. Who wouldn't be wary of a virus spreading across the world? Who wouldn't fear to have their freedoms taken away? But friends and potential future enemies, fear is a terrible motivator. Left untamed, fear gives birth to anger. Anger left untamed gives birth to the uncontrolled mess we see on social media.

In _______________ We Trust, The Error of Misplaced Trust

Still more ironic is the place both Pro-maskers and Pro-righters have placed their trust. The faulty, human-run, error-filled, fallible structure we call the system.

Pro-maskers place their trust in the medical system (WHO, CDC). Unfortunately, this system is a self-serving business. One that has been fickle in its approach to the Coronavirus. Even so, when another group or tribe refuses to do the same and instead chooses to ask questions and research the source of information (always wise in any situation), they are labeled as selfish conspiracy theorists.

Pro-righters have placed their trust in the democratic constitutional republic, a system filled with flawed leaders who manipulate or take advantage of the people they are supposed to protect. Even so, when the rival tribe agrees with threats to their liberties, perceived or otherwise, they make use of their weapons and seek to destroy.

This is war. No houses are burning or libs severed, but there are casualties.

I am left wondering if either side has counted the cost.

Words Hold Power

Words have power. The universe came to be after YAHWEH spoke a handful of sentences.

Let there be____________.

It is God's use of words and His creation of them that makes them powerful, so powerful in fact they can bring life or death (Prov 18:21). Now, even if your world view cannot entertain the Biblical Creator and His creation, please, don't discount the power of words. Ask anyone who has been encouraged or offered a word of affirmation. How bright did the world look that day? How much did you smile? Now ask the person who has had their smile stolen with one cruel, critical word. Did something in your heart fracture? How soon did you forget it?

Both pro-maskers and pro-righters say they value life. I've seen it clarified as their intention, following an intense, "educational" tweet or post. However, when keyboards are used as daggers to fight the enemy camp, the person whose hands are gliding across the keys becomes a hypocrite and a liar. They've ignored the cost in favor of airing their opinions. In the end, their tribal anthem becomes: "I matter most!"

Tribe Over Kingdom

The most concerning aspect of this whole thing is how many Believers I see setting up camp on either side. A Tribal mentality has no, I mean no place, in the Body of Christ. Nothing is more cringeworthy or heartbreaking than when Believers make themselves gods. You may say I am going too far. However, when you decide to lose your tongue, reject sobriety of mind and self-control, you have placed yourself as the authority of your life rather than God and His Word. You have also communicated that you do not care that God created your neighbor (online or otherwise) in His image. You have decided that you, your rights, and your opinion are more valuable than

1. Honoring and reflecting God.

2. Treating a precious, living soul as valuable.

Your fear comes to feast in the digital spaces of the social web, and you leave carnage in your wake. You who are supposed to be the salt and light of the world.

Beloved brothers and sisters, let us consider Christ. Let us walk the narrow road and not forsake grace, love, kindness, faithfulness, or patience (to name a few). He has equipped us well. In our fear and frustration, let us rest in Him and then walk with Him.

Philippians 2:1-11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Dear Non-Christian World. Systems and empires have and will always fail. There is only One who will not fail, who will not fade, and that is the Biblical God. If you take Him out of the equation, you will be hard-pressed (aka it’s impossible) to know true freedom and life.

Wherever you fall I hope this has caused you to think.