Posting Peace: Why Social Media Divides Us and What We Can Do about It

In this latest work, Bursch (The Community of God) takes on the societal polarization endemic in social media, from a Christian perspective. The author, co-pastor of Evergreen Foursquare Church in Auburn, WA, is a former conservative talk radio host who became disenchanted with the format because of the behavior of some of his audience: "During my five years on Christian radio, some of the meanest, angriest, harshest words came from Christians." Drawing on research from experts in the field, Bursch argues that social media, by its very nature, tends to isolate its users from meaningful interactions, and that online connections are by nature superficial and transient. He uses Biblical allusions to support his assertion that Christians should value demonstrating the love of God in their social media interactions more than the "rightness" of their convictions. He concludes each chapter with discussion questions and suggestions forpositive posting, hoping his readers will commit to incorporating these into their social media to "put peacemaking into practice."