I remember hearing as a kid that when you have a large get together for dinner whether friends or family don't talk about politics or religion. These are two topics guaranteed to fire up debate and possible arguments because everyone's opinion can be so different. I think discussion on both topics is important and healthy but perhaps we have to choose our audience.
Now these debates are taking place over Facebook. I see them all the time and they turn into big long debates/arguments. I've heard that the aftermath of some of these debates leads to people "unfriending" each other on Facebook yet they still have to see each other in real life on a regular basis....so whats the point? I really have no idea.
Here's the problem, in my opinion, with Facebook being a forum for these conversations. You have many friends, a lot of those friends don't know your other friends. You may have really only acquaintances as your so called friends who don't really know you that well either. So everyone commenting may not know your sense of humor, personality or tone, and all these friends may not know each others humor, personality or tone and many times people get misunderstood as we know from texts or emails. Then the back and forth starts, i've seen it escalate and get down right rude. People can get hurt, friendships could end or a friend is put in the middle of 2 other people who don't know each other but had a huge fight on your Facebook page.
I've seen many posts I would like to put my 2 cents in on but I avoid it because I don't want to get caught up or wrapped up in some debate. I avoid any controversial topics or comments on my own status line so I don't start something. I don't accept friend requests or send friend requests with people I don't really know.
With the latest attack on Paris it brings the debate up again. People are changing their profile pictures to show support for France, people are mad that others are doing that because it ignores all the other attacks. Everyone is pointing fingers at other religious groups...it goes on and on. Maybe some people enjoy the banter or enjoy seeing everyone get fired up.
I decided to have those discussions at home with my husband or my friends when we get together. For me Facebook is a place to keep up with my friends, many of whom who live far away. I can see how their kids are growing or what's going on in their lives and they can see mine. After I graduated university it was hard to keep in touch with all my friends, they got married, moved, changed their email address and then you just couldn't find them anymore. Now I can have regular contact with my group of girlfriends that were an important part of my life and I really enjoy that. My extended family can see updates on my family more than just once a year with the family Christmas card. So let's keep it light, why make life more complicated and stressful than it needs to be.
