Acrimony

Friday 14^th January

I am back to The Blogging Church by Brian Bailey particularly his discussion called ‘Do I live in the Town of Acrimony?  Blogs, and this can include Facebook posts which are really just mini blogs, are often full of acrimony (bitterness and ill feeling).  People are quick to post comments that they would never (hopefully) say face to face.  Competition plus arrogance in cyberspace make a volatile mix.  In Bailey’s experience it is often about Christians attacking other Christians more than non believers.  He gives the guidelines for handling communication with people who are only interested in attacking.  Give them one chance but only one.  It is better to spend time with people who want to be part of a conversation rather than those who want to derail the discussion and attack. (pp 151-2)

But it is also something we need to check in ourselves.  It can be a trap.  Criticism tends to generate a high volume of traffic and a high number of comments.  If you are too keen to get your blog working well and start playing the numbers game, you might get caught in this trap.  (p. 151)

But this is where I think the internet is a really good tool for getting to know ourselves as well.  The evidence is there.  We don’t have to try to remember what we did or didn’t say, we just need to read back.  We can see our mistakes and make amends, change and grow.  If our last ten posts are full of pointing out others mistakes and criticizing we may well have settled in the Town of Acrimony?  It is easy to move suburbs.