I realize that we live in a world of blatant opinion giving and that, at least in the United States, we are allowed to have those opinions. I love Facebook for what it has allowed as far as people being able to connect, to provide simple levity on bad days, and even for the spreading of news and information that can make the world a better place. However, with politics in full campaign swing, there is a fair share of propaganda and outlandish commentary by individuals on both "sides of the isle."
Recently I had a "conversation" with a cousin of mine who is as liberal as the day is long. While I consider him to be a decent person, the older he has become, the more liberal and antagonistically so he seems to be.
While I have rarely heard of people changing their political opinions due to some status update, or even the rambling commentary that we all find ourselves in from time to time, we still engage? Why?
Perhaps we do it because we hold out some hope that we can change someone to what we believe is the right way to think? Maybe we feel that if we share our opinions and others agree, we can feel justified or "not alone" in our way of thinking -- and if we are not alone, we must be right.
Who knows?!
But this much I do know, I am really getting tired of some of the arguments that I hear. Republicans are not necessarily racist if they don't like how Obama is running the country. And my most hated is the assumption that if you don't like one candidate you must like the other candidate in the opposite party. Just remember people, it is possible to not like someone's politics independently of their race, or what another candidate is about. While there is probably little room for civility education in a simple blog post or Facebook status update, just remember that those you argue with are probably as sick of hearing your arguments as you are of hearing theirs.
Well said! I think voicing our opinions is fine. But it doesn’t need to be antagonistic.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to politics, disagreements frequently turn nasty quite quickly. Why is this? One of the reasons is the increased spread of political back-and-forth now occurring on social media sites, increasing the animosity between members of different ideologies. It's easy to argue and even encouraged, as propagandist information is widespread through the internet. It's easy to find others opinions and share them as your own, making you sound stronger or better in the process. This defensive barbaric mindset of verbal (typed) violence is the opposite of what all should be striving for. As Judge Thomas B. Griffith said, “those who we would seek to disagree with us are not our enemies but our colleagues.” We should be united if not in vehicles of action but in respect for the fact that all are striving for the betterment of this great nation.
ReplyDeletePolitics in social media is an ever increasing phenomena. Whether you “like” the “Nobama” fan page or the “Liberals Unite” fan page, there is an undoubtedly segregated direction being taken by members of all political alignments. The ever widening gap between groups created through social media is alarming. This group polarization causes the group as a whole to become more radical in thought than what the individual members would usually believe. This translates to the members becoming more confident in posting more extreme views themselves and feeling more justified in angrily responding to any disputers.
A common justification thought process is that “if 3,000 other people have this same view it must be right.” When posting things online there is also an increased sense of a loss of personal responsibility. This deindividuation is a feeling of anonymity and being able to hide behind the words or an internet persona without having to take responsibility for anything. It's a far different situation usually when having to face someone directly. In conversation, politics is quickly becoming a taboo subject because it's such a “touchy” subject. If one wants to keep the peace, it's off limits. Online, however, it's a far more common subject and a far more brutal battleground. There is a distinct lack of respect and civility being shown for other ideologies. In a public statement, the Church has said, “the need for civility is perhaps most relevant in the realm of partisan politics.” As Latter-day Saints, we believe in political agency and diversity. People are free to choose their own political philosophies. Often times as individuals, however, we do not look at it that way.
Our political ideology and activity should not be like our church involvement. Politics are ever changing and shifting and butting heads, but God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Why then do some place such religious fervor over their political beliefs? It is important to regard one's own opinion, but the act of committing oneself wholly to one ideology is imprudent. As the political tides move in and out, so should changes in our life affect how we view issues and sentiments. Thus, we should be continually reviewing our personal feelings and be wary of how we create permanence as far as our ideology is concerned. If someone posts an extreme view on Facebook it's far more difficult to remove the stain that leaves after a change in ideology than if one were more shrewd in their posting.
As Latter-day Saints we are required to treat everyone with respect, regardless of circumstances. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't give you the “get out of jail free card” to attack them. Behavior should be consistent throughout settings. As Elder Holland recently said, “never check your religion at the door.” Whether that door be your Facebook homepage or a physical door, the meaning is the same. There are no ifs, ands, or buts when it comes to responding to others in a civil and appropriate manner.