Not Being God’s Friend/Fan on Facebook

This morning I had a little bit of a “are you kidding me” moment when I was cruising around Facebook.  I was looking at the suggested friends area when I saw the Facebook computers thought I should be a friend/fan of God.  Hmmm.

I get rather annoyed when the recommendations are organizations, celebrities or fan pages.   And I must admit I was equally turned off when I saw the God page.  Of course my first thought was, “Is that wrong?”  Am I a bad person for clicking the "x" button to take the God fan page off the list?  For me, the answer is no.  I’m not turning my back on God, or saying I’m not a real friend/fan of God, but I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do on Facebook.  Plus in the end, it's Facebook.  Not church.  Not my heart.  But Facebook.

Here’s why I say no to the God page:

1.    Are we that desperate? Are we so desperate to show the world we’re Christian that we need to sign on to anything God related?  You can already list yourself as Christian.  You can even post all the religious content you want.  Why do you need to sign up on a fan page too?

2.    Look at the content. What are you getting from joining this page?  Right now all I see are a million plus people signed up to a fan page where the majority of picture are cats wearing glasses.  There doesn’t seem to be any sort benefit like a daily scripture reading or some sort of good spiritual growth content.  I think many people pick who they follow on Facebook because they think those people or groups are interesting.  What’s the intriguing part of God’s Facebook page?

3.    Our God is better than a Facebook fan page. I don’t consider myself to be all that serious of a person, but really, God deserves better than a fan page set up by who knows who.  There are lots of religious organizations on Facebook who are working to build and enrich the Kingdom.  I say friend them instead.

I realize this could be looked at as an over-reaction.  Sure it’s fun to say, “I’m God’s friend on Facebook.”  But really, as Christians, can’t we send a better message?  Doesn’t it say you’re a true friend/fan of God if your friends with people and fans of organizations on Facebook who are truly living godly lives or trying to make a difference in the name of Christ?

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Comments (23)

Thanks. I didn't become a fan of God either. Not that I'm not IRL ... I just think it's ... icky.
I'd have to agree. When I logged in to Facebook today, I saw in my newsfeed that I had friends that along with becoming fans of God and the Gospel (yeah, there's that one too), they also became fans of bendy straws and trampolines. I'm not sure I want to suggest God is in that same league nor that my commitment to Him is as enduring as bendy straws.
I've become a fan of lots of things on facebook, but i've resisted becoming a fan of God/Jesus. Not because they aren't important enough but because they are too important. It seems to cheapen faith to put god in between your favorite band and favorite food.
Thanks for this. I rolled my eyes when I saw it on Facebook. People are so shallow.
I agree, and even did the same thing... rolled my eyes and raised my voice a the computer, "Why would people do THAT?" In this case, I would have to say that putting God in a category, on a FB page, is just not respectful to the Lord of our lives. He died for us, can't we figure out how to share that with others other than just becoming a 'fan of God.' A fan is someone who likes something at the time, but that can easily change if something unfortunate happens. The statement that being a 'fan' seems to make is: "look at me, I am not like somebody else, I actually like God" but that is more focused on 'me' rather than on God where our focus should be.

It is better to ask God to show himself in our actions and speech on facebook, rather than a 'fan page' and nothing else. Didn't God do way more for us than just create a 'I'm God and I am a fan of my creation' page? Shouldn't we at least spend some more time doing a little bit more, in our effort to be more and more like Jesus, our Savior?
thank goodness, now I don't need to feel guilty every time I'd see those christian-fan pages and think that is so ridiculous.
i think it's really an issue of upholding God's glory and holiness. declaring being a fan of God on facebook does not, i believe give the Lord Almighty His due. i recall the journey of the Israelites towards the Promised Land and see how jealous the Lord is of His glory and honor and holiness. it makes me cringe what we do today...

the question we need to answer..."But really, as Christians, can’t we send a better message?"

all glory to the Lord !
I agree with you in that if you want to get close to God and Jesus you start with family and friends, then find that church where you are comfortable. Start a Sunday school class and maybe a bible study group at your home or a friends home. Read your bible and through faith step out to bring more to God and Jesus. I have facebook, and talk to family and friends about God, but I would not use it strickly to gather others. Then you said as Christians, that is another subject we need to talk about. I saw a professed Christian cover religous symbols when giving a speech. If you are a Christian then follow Christ and show everyone the example given by Christ. Bring one more to the table. In God's Grace John
Is this any worse than saying "I believe in God" or "I love God" or even "God Bless America" with only a vague, sentimental, or distorted idea of what it means?
I hear you but is it any different than wearing a Christian T-shirt or a WWJD Bracelet, or a "Jesus" bumper sticker on your car?

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