Facebook

[MarysLittleFlower]

I don't know how many here have Facebook... but if you do, and if you post things relating to the faith or sometimes pro life issues, do people ever delete you from their friends list because of it? I've had people delete me because of some things I said supporting the pro life movement.. and that got me thinking.. is this a bad sign, like I'm pushing people away from the faith? I'm just wondering what everyone's thoughts are. Should we only post things that everyone would agree with? I try not to argue with people, but I think some of what I post is controversial. thanks

[Myles Domini]

"Pray, hope and don't worry"--Padre Pio

It is always nice to consider the feelings of others. Unknown to us many of our friends or acquaintances may have made extremely painful decisions that deep down they will regret and would rather not face up to. Sometimes we might do or say things that cause them to become conscious of this and in their desperation to run away from that they might run away from us too. So its always good to present what we believe in as sensitive way as possible.

However, if you are confident you are already doing so then how your words are received is not something you should fret over. Ultimately our words contain much less power than the Word that never goes out and returns fruitless. God desires all men to come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved even if we were the cause of a person turning from God 99 times, there would still be 100th time because God never gives up looking for his coin or chasing his sheep.

So don't worry. Be kind and continue on from there. Let the day's own troubles suffice for themselves.

PS) If you're really worried about it talk to your confessor

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

I find the stuff I post has a worse effect on my Catholic friends than on my non-Catholic family/friends. At least the non-Catholics ignore it, but the Catholics who are less practicing or who have a bit of a different view on their faith (in particular vocations), tend to really be annoyed by me. People have talked to me about it in person and that has really hurt me. "I'm sorry I feel called to be a nun" isn't really something I can say.
I don't really think it's our problem if they are offended by the truth or what we choose to do with our life. It's their choice whether or not to follow the truth. Of course, always be charitable, but I doubt that is an issue with you.

I don't really have much advice for you other than - hang in there, and you are not alone.

[Papist]

If someone defriends me b/c of a faith-filled post, then I'd would perhaps think they were not much of a friend then...and I'd move on. I would not take it personal.

[tinytherese]

I concur with Papist. They can ignore those posts if they want to or forget about them.

[Sister Marie]

When I had facebook, which I don't anymore, I often deleted some of the faith-filled posts people made. I know, I'm a nun, why would I do that? Some of the opinions or the tones in which they are expressed are often either flippant or extreme and turn more people off than on to our faith. I think you need to ask yourself if possibly it isn't the fact that it has to do with the faith but more with the way it is expressed that people are deleting your posts. Even if I agreed with the idea of what someone wrote, if they presented something in a really polarizing manner I still deleted it. I could give you a million examples but hopefully you get what I mean. To you it might be something innocent, but to others it could seem immature, too black and white, too extreme, nuanced incorrectly, too in your face... there are a million different reasons for someone to delete a comment other than the content of the faith.

[elizabeth09]

I wish that I have facebook, but then I am glad that I do not have it because I may not have the time to do it and I want to have a family life.

[Tally Marx]

[quote name='MarysLittleFlower' timestamp='1329606046' post='2389043']
I don't know how many here have Facebook... but if you do, and if you post things relating to the faith or sometimes pro life issues, do people ever delete you from their friends list because of it? I've had people delete me because of some things I said supporting the pro life movement.. and that got me thinking.. is this a bad sign, like I'm pushing people away from the faith? I'm just wondering what everyone's thoughts are. Should we only post things that everyone would agree with? I try not to argue with people, but I think some of what I post is controversial. thanks
[/quote]

You cannot refrain from posting, or saying something, simply because it's controversial. Firstly, no one is going to agree with 100% of what you say, and secondly, sometimes controversial things are necessary. Jesus said some very controversial things in His time! The truth is often off-putting. So, unless your comments were sarcastic, rude, condescending, or unnecessarily off-putting, I would say there is nothing wrong with it.
I've never had anyone delete me because of things I posted, though. I do know--because I was either told directly, or round-aboutly--that some of the "controversial" things I posted actually helped people see those things in a new light. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this has been so in your case, even if you were never told.
Just remember that everyone on Facebook is a brother/sister in Christ. Try to be charitable *and* truthful. And if you are worried that you may inadvertently lead someone away from the Faith, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your posts and pray for those who read them. You should be good.

Pax!

[Annie12]

[quote name='MarysLittleFlower' timestamp='1329606046' post='2389043']
I don't know how many here have Facebook... but if you do, and if you post things relating to the faith or sometimes pro life issues, do people ever delete you from their friends list because of it? I've had people delete me because of some things I said supporting the pro life movement.. and that got me thinking.. is this a bad sign, like I'm pushing people away from the faith? I'm just wondering what everyone's thoughts are. Should we only post things that everyone would agree with? I try not to argue with people, but I think some of what I post is controversial. thanks
[/quote]
Look, if they deleted you its because of them. You are only following what God wants you to do. If they have got a problem with it maybe its better to not have them as your friends. I know [b]real[/b] friends would treat each other as a friend and not a name on a screen. You did the right thing and don't change anything! You're amesome and are living out your faith and don't be ashamed of that!!
I have had posts where my "friends" have been extremely rude and now they aren't talking to me even though I stayed calm and respectful. What helps me is to see a situation the way I think Gods sees it. I guess look through "Gods glasses" to see the truth about something. Good luck!

[Hubertus]

I've been struggling with this issue, too. I gave Facebook up for Lent, but maybe I will continue with that even after Lent.

But I think it just depends on the nature of your post. If you explain or discuss the Faith reasonably and with love, then it's hard for people to really get too offended (if they do, it's not your fault but theirs).

I know it sounds like a small thing, but how you write and how you emphasize your words makes a big difference. It's good not to resort to character attacks, or acting like someone is stupid or annoying for believing what they believe. Also, it probably helps to never use CAPS LOCK. That seems to hurt your credibility, from what I've seen. Sometimes offensive and "That's just the way it is" statements pop into my head upon first reading a response, but I've found that if I take a step back, let my emotions razzle dazzle down, and then try to write in complete and thought-out sentences it reduces the chances of me coming off as offensive.

Perhaps you don't have these problems, though. =P And if that's the case, then I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Like I said, if they remove you, that's on them.

[elizabeth09]

[quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1329772743' post='2390262']
Look, if they deleted you its because of them. You are only following what God wants you to do. If they have got a problem with it maybe its better to not have them as your friends. I know [b]real[/b] friends would treat each other as a friend and not a name on a screen. You did the right thing and don't change anything! You're amesome and are living out your faith and don't be ashamed of that!!
I have had posts where my "friends" have been extremely rude and now they aren't talking to me even though I stayed calm and respectful. What helps me is to see a situation the way I think Gods sees it. I guess look through "Gods glasses" to see the truth about something. Good luck!
[/quote]

Agree with you Annie12, because its hard to find true friends in today day of age. If they are not willing to stick by your side during your down days, then they are not your friends. Because friends will always stick by your side until you see light. You have to remain forever and stay true to you to what you beleive its true.

Edited February 24, 2012 by elizabeth09

[cmotherofpirl]

Phatmass does have a facebook page

[MarysLittleFlower]

thanks for the replies! I am not sure if my posts on facebook were worded offensively, etc, they were not attacks at anyone in particular but quotes, like a quote by Mother Teresa about abortion. Someone deleted me because of it. Then I had a facebook conversation with someone that I thought was respectful even though we disagreed, but maybe I offended them somehow because they deleted me too. I feel sad that I might have pushed someone away from the faith, though I didn't want to I think sometimes being too "defensive" about our faith is also a problem, and a problem that i struggle with at times. I wouldn't say I was defensive in these situations but it might been something else, maybe it was too "preachy". I'm trying to avoid anything like that now not because i'm afraid of saying these things but because I'm afraid it's not helping people spiritually.. I don't know.

[Hubertus]

If you're posting something like a quote from Mother Theresa, then their deleting you is definitely not your fault. Some people just choose to be offended by the Truth.

Also, Facebook lets you hide people's feeds, without deleting your friendship... I don't know if they realize that or not. I've hidden a lot of feeds from people who like to post offensive things.

[elizabeth09]

I agree with you Hubertus, because its not the persons fault that they are speaking the truth about something, but they are trying to spread the truth to other people.