Outrage Culture
It seems like our entire culture is addicted to outrage, including the Church. Anger has become the acceptable, even expected sign of one's commitment to any cause. And nowhere is that more true than in politics. I've learned that if I fail to show sufficient outrage on our podcast or in a sermon about some political controversy, I will receive messages from fellow Christians who are angered by my lack of anger. They usually say, don't you care about dot dot dot somewhere in the comment post or email. I sometimes feel that my credibility as a Christian depends on my willingness to brandish my anger or unleash an arsenal of outrage. In some Christian communities, particularly online, anger is so ubiquitous one might suspect it's the fruit of the Spirit.
So why has anger found such acceptance among us when Jesus warns so clearly in the Sermon on the Mount of anger's toxicity to our soul? Maybe our constant media consumption has deadened our ability to feel more subtle emotions. In this overstimulated environment, only the sledgehammer of anger is able to get our attention. Therefore, when we don't use it to convey every emotion, we're dismissed for not having any feelings at all. The first step toward recovering our full spectrum of emotions is turning down the volume of the angry voices we listen to online, on screens, and on podcasts.
I've discussed the benefits of a complete media fast before, but sometimes we need a more targeted approach. When you encounter a voice that is always dialed up to 11, or that is constantly provoking your own anger and outrage, consider muting them, turning the channel, or disengaging from their content. Even if you agree with their politics or position, perhaps especially if you agree, it's important to find other voices that utilize less inflammatory and catastrophizing rhetoric. Because as Dallas Willard said, anything done in anger can be done better without it.
Resources
How Would Jesus Fight the Culture War?
Prayer
Oh God of earth and altar. Bow down and hear our cry. Our earthly rulers falter. Our people drift and die. The walls of gold entomb, the swords of scorn divide. Take not your thunder from us, but take away our pride.
From all that terror teaches, from lies of tongue and pen, from all the easy speeches that comfort cruel men,
from sale and profanation, of honor and the sword,
from sleep and from damnation, deliver us, good Lord. Amen.
-GK Chesterton