Some Folks Seem To Be "Ticked Off" About Facebook

“Those people are NOT all your friends!” someone said to me recently.

I responded, “You’re right, they’re not all close personal ‘friends’ in the most literal sense, that’s just a word that is used on a social networking site like Facebook, because they have to use some word to designate the people that we connect with.”

“Well, they shouldn’t use the word ‘friend’ it’s not true,” came the response. And he knocked me down and took my lunch money. I thought I was done with those old school-yard bully tactics back when I was taking Bible classes in college. I guess not.

I’ve noticed that some of the people I’ve talked with, who are not interested in embracing social networking technology, seem to have VERY potent NEGATIVE feelings about it. It’s not just that they don’t like it, there’s more to it than that. They don’t like it AND they’re angry about the whole situation, too. Have you come across this attitude, as well, or is it just me?

After telling one woman about my adventures on Facebook, she, too, knocked me to the ground and took my lunch money. Before she let me up she said, “I don’t like that techno-garbage and you shouldn’t either.” (For a woman pastor, she sure seems to be painfully unaware of Jesus’ ideas like: “turn the other cheek”. After knocking me down and yelling at me, she quietly resumed her personal Bible study.)

I think most of the people whom I know on Facebook are very aware of the fact that true relationships are MORE than seeing comments and pictures on a page. The folks I know understand—I believe—that we need to still nurture those person-to-person, face-to-face connections that are part of really relating in a meaningful way with someone.

This is “sort of” preaching to the choir—considering where I’m posting this—but have you found that certain technological tools are quite remarkable at helping us connect with others—or STAY connected with others—even if those connections aren’t necessarily ideal? I sure have. And since relationships are so central to our lives, that’s a good thing.

I know that there is a potential to utilize internet technology for shallow, insignificant ways of relating with people. But I’m also excited about the potential that exists for using it in positive, helpful ways. Do you believe that these technological tools can be used in ways that glorify God and communicate good, positive, encouraging, interesting, beneficial truths? I do. And I’d like to try to do that.

And I want to spread a little laughter, too. Few things in life help create a bond between people like shared laughter.