Social Media Standards

Dear Friends on Social Media:

I’ve written this as a means of creating a standard  of etiquette for how I would like people to respond when you are on my social media feeds. This is not written towards any one person, rather this is written because I seem to run into the same problem on many social media sites, and I want to make myself very clear, so as not to be misunderstood in the future.

First, I am so thankful that I have so many friends and family who are different from me, who don't think like I do. Yes, I'm even thankful for those who disagree with me. I love the fact that I can discuss different things and not always get a thumbs up(though you who give me those thumbs up are also wonderful, and I absolutely need encouragement as well); but I love having people who challenge my thinking causing me to think through why I think, and believe the way I do. I'm thankful for each of you!

Second, the reason I'm writing this: with being my friend on any social media site there does come responsibility on your end. What you do on your social media feeds, I can not control, but when you come to my pages, posts, blogs etc... understand, I love hearing disagreement and engaging in conversation, I love chatting, challenging, and  encouraging,  each other, but I also expect that if you have disagreements that they will be made with respect. I expect that if you genuinely have a problem or concern that you will call me, message me, and talk to me instead of getting mad, yelling, cursing, or insulting myself or anyone else through these page/posts. If I see such behavior, your posts will be deleted(especially if I see insulting, even if it's passive aggressive, I do not condone any sort of intimidating/bullying). I will then email you, or call you, and try to work things out. If I am In The wrong, I will apologize and make things right. But If things can not be resolved in a healthy manner, I will not allow such things to go on, and will cut off any contact with you. I'm not doing this to be mean, but I want to ensure our friendships stay healthy, and that we can communicate in a healthy manner.

Third, I don't want anyone to question what I believe and stand for, so I will lay it out for you very clearly so as not to be misunderstood, I am a Bible believing, Christ following, Christian, and yes I do believe in Heaven and Hell.  When it comes to politics I am a conservative. I am 100% pro-life. I believe marriage is meant to be between one man and one women. I do not condone animal cruelty, but I do eat meat. I believe a wife is supposed to submit to the headship of her husband, and that this does not make her less than. I believe in freedom from all forms of slavery. I believe in respecting and honoring those who are older than me, even if I don't agree. And I believe many people will disagree with me on many of these topics.

I love and care for each of you, and thank you for your continued friendship. I desire that when you come to my social media feeds, that each of us feels safe to express our thoughts, opinions, and beliefs in a healthy manner, even if at the end of a conversation we all walk away disagreeing. I desire to give respect, and be given respect, even on ‘hot’ topics. Please feel free to ask questions or discuss further with me, anything I have mentioned.

Thank you!