Wednesday, August 30, 2017

MASS MEDIA INFO AND MISINFO

Ed Stetzer, in writing a CHRISTIANITY TODAY article yesterday, August 29, 2017 entitled, ‘Some People hate Joel Osteen More Than They Love Truth,' cautions Christians against hating Joel Osteen so much that they misrepresent his Lakewood church decision not to use the immense facility in Houston to shelter people affected by the ongoing flooding. Apparently the church itself is in a flood zone. My purpose here is to reference Stetzer’s advice about handling real and fake news.



  1. Stop the selective listening. Let’s face it. Many already hate Osteen, so they are hungry for a scandal. Here’s the tough question: Are we hungry for a strategic or moral failure at Lakewood, too? As I mentioned above, I have serious thoughts about Osteen’s theology. But I need not plug my ears so that I can’t hear what is true.
  2. Speak without the rage. Some take to Twitter like a death metal band. The screaming squeezes the logic out of our comments. When we dial back the emotion we are also more likely to retract when we have been wrong.
  3. Tweet your retractions too. If we can learn anything from piling on at this time, it may be that saying sorry is something that Christians should do well.
  4. Be silent. I waited to spill some ink on this topic. I had one thought at first. And another thought as the facts came out. What if I had piled on at the beginning? Or defended their decision too quickly? It has been best to be silent until there is something to say. And perhaps the best is to simply pull the plug.
Setting aside for the moment the presenting Osteen reference, we can isolate four worthwhile pieces of advice. We can make the application of these points fit all of our online communications and personal conversations, and it would be wise to do so. 
Stop listening selectively
Speak without rage
Tweet your retractions as well as your pronouncements
Be silent until there is actually something to say

Additionally: Lakewood’s website provides its explanation of their efforts to help people and the limitations caused by flooding on its own properties. Scroll the page. Some other reports suggest the church has been fully accessible and flooding has been limited. Discernment is needed in reading and listening to all the news options isn’t it?

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