In an
age of speaking one's mind, SNS presents an easy means to
legitimize the truth seen by the underdog or the strong, male and
female, liberal and conservative. In most cases the situation is never
clearly presented and not enough information is given to understand the
context. A religious sister who is the director of a spirituality center
examins the way we are to respond.
At
times it is difficult to grasp the nature of the incidents that are
presented to the viewers in cyberspace. Information is revealed only on
one side and usually not enough information is presented to understand
the situation. Our brains tend to simplify the reality, overlook the
truth and listen and respond to what I want to see and hear.
A
famous writer after revealing something about a certain incident in
which an acquaintance was involved did not receive a call from the
acquaintance. The reason he believes was that he would be shaken. A firm
conviction can often be shaken by a voice in a telephone call.
We
are more courageous in cyberspace with no expressions or voices, very
different from face to face contact. Since it is invisible it can easily
be more intense and overcome with feelings. It is the only method for
those who have been treated unjustly to feel the freedom to resist:
women against men the weak against the strong.
The
writer mentions how one of her acquaintances had an SNS fight with one
of her subordinates. Her acquaintance had to deal with falsehood and
exaggeration and suffered great embarrassment. The other party was
joined in the attack by followers, the acquaintance was condemned and made to appear
ridiculous. Her acquaintance used reasonable arguments but the
subordinate was using emotional arguments and her acquaintance made an
effort to respect the other person with reason and tempered expression
but wasn't able to overcome the feeling of unfairness experienced by the
subordinate. For such a person the rational expressions of the other
person are just cold, and empty. No matter who is right if there is no
sympathy for your situation the rational proposal is intimidating and
insulting.
The
process of exposing and ridiculing the mistakes of the strong in
society gives pleasure to the viewers. The group attacks that often
follow become addictive and give to many a feeling of catharsis.
Unfortunately,
nowadays, priests and religious people are seen as the strong and the
vested ones in society. Of course, concern for the poor continues but it
is also true that we have power as leaders in a community.
Therefore,
in the course of leading a group, if someone enters and expresses: "I
am a victim, it is unfair," the standard of right and wrong often seems no longer valid. It is only necessary to communicate with the
'feelings' that are unfair.
When
the grievance and unfairness get bigger, counterattacks, insanity, and
anything goes. There is only a fierce court battle that remains but the
wounds are large for both sides and last a long time.
When
we have a dislike for someone we don't care to live uncomfortably in
that situation. However, sympathy is one of the best helps in
communicating, consequently, the best way is to find a way to compromise on the way to
the court (Matt. 5:25).