Is Civility Dead? Walking in Love in the Age of the Algorithm

Are you worn out with all the incivility and harshness on the internet? Taking on the vitriol and incivility in our everyday world, on and offline, can be like grappling with a paradox as vast as the endless feed itself: the tension between the urge to connect and the chasm of vitriol that seems to yawn wider every time we refresh. We built these platforms for community, for sharing joys and sorrows, for finding kindred spirits, and yet sometimes it feels like we’re just shouting into the void, voices drowned out by the cacophony of anger and division.

While there was no technology as we know it back in the days of the early church, nonetheless, the Apostle Paul felt the need to address the bickering, competitive, on-ups-manship, blame gaming that went on in HIS day: 

[Rom 12:16-20 AMP] 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself. 17 Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR BY DOING THIS YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”

What about today? Do Paul’s words find any relevance in the discourse you engage in day by day? I refuse to believe that civility is a relic of a bygone era, banished to the dusty tomes of etiquette guides. I propose, friends, a radical act: a revolution of kindness, a rebellion against the algorithm’s cold equations, a return to the simple truth that in this tangled web of connections, we are not numbers but humans.

Our guiding light in this crusade can be found in an ancient text, an ageless message that transcends timelines and trends. In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul implores us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18, KJV). These words, friends, are not merely pious platitudes. They are a call to action, a blueprint for navigating the digital minefield with grace and understanding.

So, how do we walk in love, in civility, in the age of social media?

1. Choose peace over perfection. Remember, the curated feeds present a mirage of flawless lives. Don’t fall into the trap of comparing your messy reality to someone else’s carefully crafted highlight reel. Instead, celebrate the imperfections, the shared struggles, the messy humanity that binds us. Be real, be vulnerable, and extend the same grace to others.

2. Listen, truly listen. We scroll so quickly, pausing only to comment, react, and retort. But true connection requires deep listening, the kind that transcends emojis and witty retorts. Hear the heart behind the words, even if they differ from your own. Seek understanding, not just agreement.

3. Disagree without demonizing. Difference of opinion is not a declaration of war. We can hold strong convictions and still treat each other with respect. Avoid the labels, the generalizations, the caricatures that turn people into faceless enemies. Remember, there’s a beating heart and a complex story behind every avatar.

4. Practice empathy, the ultimate superpower. Before you hit “send,” ask yourself: “Would I say this to this person’s face?” Remember, words on a screen still carry weight, and they can sting. Choose kindness, even when faced with negativity. Offer a helping hand, a word of encouragement, a bridge instead of a wall.

5. Remember, you are the algorithm. The content we consume, the comments we post, the information we share, all feed into the vast, churning machine that shapes our online experience. Choose to be a force for good. Share stories that inspire, not enrage. Promote understanding, not division. Be the change you want to see in the scroll.

This, friends, is not a passive call for tolerance. It’s an active commitment to building a digital space where love is the algorithm, where respect is the trending hashtag, and where kindness is the ultimate currency. It’s about remembering that every person on our screen is a soul worthy of dignity, a story waiting to be heard, a potential friend in the making.

Let’s not let the digital divide become an impassable chasm. Let’s bridge it with empathy, with understanding, with the simple act of treating each other like the humans we are. Let’s walk in love, not just online, but in every interaction, every word, every click. Together, we can reclaim the power of connection, and build a digital world worthy of the best versions of ourselves.

So, share this post, friends. Start a conversation. Let’s make civility the hottest trend, kindness the most viral meme, and love the language that unites us all, one pixelated heart at a time.

#WalkInLove #CivilityRevival #NoMoreScrollingWars

Together, we can make the world a kinder, brighter place. Let’s start.