5 Rules to Follow When Giving Our Opinions

It has been really interesting the last few years hearing everyone’s opinion that is backed up with supporting evidence. Opinions on politics in the heated presidential election. Opinions on the voting scandal that robbed Trump or the ethical outcome that transitioned Biden to the White House.

Opinions on the justice system.

Opinions on gender identification.

Opinions on math equations.

Opinions on masks.

Opinions on Olympic rules.

Opinions on Jeopardy hosts.

Opinions on vaccinations.

It seems everything that has happened causes each of us to form an opinion.

Don’t we have a right to share our opinions? But what if opinions are wrong?

Shouldn’t someone say when we are wrong?

I have learned Facebook is not the place to have a debate. I have watched many posts of someone’s opinion get heated when someone opposed the original thought.

But why the rise in blood pressure?

Why does someone disagreeing with us cause such an uproar in disgrace and impoliteness in our replies?

If you are nodding your head, I’m probably talking to you too.

We never see our opinions causing a division. We only see our words bridging the great chasm of ignorance and bliss.

But seldom do opinionated posts bring unity to both sides. You may think everyone is agreeing with your post, but in reality, the other sided believers are just shaking their heads.

I wish we could formulate an adult way to post opinions. A way that we could bear our souls with openness and vulnerability, but yet know no one will pounce at that moment like a puma.

I think a few rules would help. When posting your opinions:

1. Don’t Search. Don’t troll through the internet trying to find that one person you have never met or know anything about or have never heard of to support your opinion. Just because someone has some initials behind their name doesn’t mean they are always right. There many many bad MDs, there are many foolish Esqs, there are a lot of dumb CPAs. Just because you find it on the internet doesn’t make it factual.

2. Don’t Twist. Don’t find a verse in the Bible that supports your claim without looking at the context of the verse. It is interesting how God can reside on both sides of the fence on so many issues when you look at only one verse. We are called to unify the Church…not divide it. Also, if you are using the Bible as a weapon to scorn someone, I think you are using His book in the wrong way. Do you think He would be proud?

3. Don’t Word Vomit. Don’t post your thoughts with a stream of consciousness feel without asking yourself first, “Is this wise to post this opinion?” If you have a split second where you think, “I’m not sure I should post this,” then you shouldn’t. Let your conscience be your guide. Once the post is out there it is hard to retract it from the face of the Earth. Look how many people have fell in the last year from tweets or post from a decade ago.

4. Don’t Fan. Don’t fan the flames of discord. If a topic is sensitive or already causing a wildfire on Facebook…just don’t go to look at the smoke. Only arsonist enjoy watching that type of destruction so don’t give anyone any credence of your demeanor that may look badly on you the next day. Or hour. Or minute. No one has ever said, “You’re mother would be so proud of your hateful speech.”

5. Don’t. Just don’t. If you want to vent your opinion on a touchy subject, call your friend, text your family member, have coffee with your buddy. But don’t post it on Facebook so some can like it and others and hate it. Life can be much better if we focus on the positive and strive to making yourself improve. You may not be able to change the world, but you can change you and your perspective.

I have seen a lot of ugly things on Facebook. Friendships have gotten mangled or even ended. Family members have unfriended one another. Coworkers have blocked other coworkers.

In a world where we are all connected, can’t we try to be civil?

Or is that to much to ask?

May we all learn the time and place to share our opinions. Or better yet, post a dog video to cheer someone up. That is what Facebook needs, more dog videos.

Peace

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