I already posted 3 Things Christians Need to Stop Doing After Tragedies, but it seems like there are new things every time a tragedy strikes that need to stop. So if you’ll indulge me, I’d like to share a few things we need to stop doing on social media after tragedies like the Orlando Shooting happen.
1. Memes
Memes about the tragedy are never the right response. They might seem pithy to you, but they make light of a complex situation with even more complex emotions. You don’t know who’s following your Facebook or Twitter updates who might be seriously affected by the tragedy. Be sensitive with your use of humor.
2. Shifting the Spotlight
“Why did everyone suddenly forget…” is the wrong way to respond to tragedy. Besides the fact that that sort of response piles more tragedy into the situation, it’s selfish. Each tragedy needs its time in the spotlight so people can process and heal. Don’t hijack that process.
3. Promoting Your Agenda
If you use tragedy to try to sell a product or push your political opinions, that’s messed up. If you need to talk about a political issue, at least let some of the emotions subside before you bring it up. Although it feels pertinent, it’s not wise to debate gun control in the wake of a shooting. It ceases to become about the issue and it becomes about mudslinging.
4. Explaining Why it Happened
If you try to offer any explanation other than “there’s evil and hatred in the world”, you’re throwing blame around. Blame might make you feel better, but the issue is never quite so simple. And it hijacks the healing process by turning grief into anger and hate. Let the tragedy’s emotions run its course.
Christians, we have to start becoming the best at showing love on social media. That’s really the only response we need to provide in the wake of tragedy. Let’s love those affected and grieve along with them. We don’t need to grieve as those without hope, because we do have hope, but we can still grieve. It’s okay.