In the 1890’s the phrase “yellow journalism” was coined to describe the use of false and sensationalized news to increase newspaper circulation. While it still occurs in print media it is rampant in digital media. Clickbait is today’s yellow journalism.
Clickbait is where websites make exaggerated and false statements with the sole purpose of attracting attention and encouraging visitors to “click” on a link for a particular web page. Often the websites we are directed to do not have a nefarious purpose, they are simply seeking to increase advertising revenue.
Sometimes, we click on a link because we are curious to learn about the 20 greatest beaches in America or the nine Amish kitchen secrets every cook needs to know. At other times our interest is piqued by the title. This was the case when I checked out a list entitled, “16 Controversial Christian Practices That Diverge From Jesus’ Teachings”.
The statement “Controversial Christian Practices” suggests three things. First, being controversial means it is commonly unaccepted. Second, it’s practiced by those claiming to be followers of Christ. And finally, as the definition of “practices” states, it’s “a customary, habitual, or expected procedure or way of doing something”.
I was therefore curious to discover how Christians were intentionally acting contrary to what Jesus taught. However, in examining the list, I found that rather than offering hypocritical acts done by Christians, it was clickbait listing obvious “un-Christian” behaviors, rarely taught or supported by Christians as common practices. There is not space, nor need, to list all of the 16 “Christian practices” but let me mention the first few on the list to illustrate.
The first “controversial practice” was a “Lack of Empathy and Compassion.” There are many examples, Christian or not, of those lacking empathy or compassion in our world. However, suggesting that this is an approved “Christian practice” is a false statement. The article correctly states “When we fail to show understanding and kindness to those in need, we're missing the heart of Jesus' message.” But it is a false statement to claim that “Christians” approve of a lack of empathy or compassion.
The second item suggests that being unforgiving is a “Common Practice” of Christians. Once again, there is a difference between me being unforgiving and suggesting that my unforgiving behavior is common or acceptable. Any student of the Bible will remember Paul’s words to, “be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32) To do anything else, is unacceptable, a sin, and un-Christian.
The third common practice offered was, “Condemning Before Understanding.” Again, I am not suggesting that sincere followers of Christ are faultless in making rash judgments, but this truth does not make the practice common or tolerable. And while judging and condemning are very different actions, they are frequently lumped together. The antagonist might suggest that we are not to judge for Jesus said, “Judge not lest you be judged”. (Matthew 7:1) However, this application is a misquotation.
Those critical of the Christian faith will misquote verses like this by taking them out of their context. In context, we find that Jesus wasn’t issuing a blanket rule that people are never to judge others for this would be impossible; every day we make countless judgments from foods we eat to who we should hire for a job.
What Jesus is speaking against is the hypocritical form of judging. The Holman New Testament Commentary suggests that Jesus is saying, “Do not judge others until you are prepared to be judged by the same standard. And then, when you exercise judgment toward others, do it with humility.” Doing this is the opposite of what the list suggests is a common Christian practice.
The article is “yellow journalism” because it uses exaggerated and false statements to gain clicks rather than to proclaim the truth. The irony is that the list does the very thing that it accuses “Christians” of doing. It “Condemns Before Understanding.” Those who intentionally bend the truth to promote their cause are guilty of the same thing.
In the months ahead we will hear many false statements made not for the sake of the truth but for a political agenda or click. We must guard ourselves against embracing their rhetoric and seek out the truth. As Paul says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.” (Philippians 4:8) We then align our minds and actions with what Jesus taught, then as the next verse promises, “Then the God of peace will be with you.”
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