People have put various signs and markings on their lawns and cars for years and this is merely putting that on-line in the same way, IMO. It may work well for some and backfire for others. This is a classic, "Damned if you do" and "Damned if you don't," problem.
If this is different, I'd like to know how, other than it may be easy to not notice my bumper stickers, of which I have none but others have all kinds of stuff.
“Dear God, I ask you for the strength to fight the demons in my daily life, and the courage to show those around me who haven’t yet found their way to You, the truth and the light.’”
That’s a heck of a status message, no? If you share the same faith and methods of fellowship as this Facebook user, perhaps you might reply to it with a resounding “Hosanna!” But if you don’t, would this make you uncomfortable? Or, even more important, how would this impact your relationship if you did business with this person?
Personal expression through social networks is a slippery slope for any relationship, and especially those based in business. There’s been a lot written about the hazards of posting drunk photos or complaints about bosses on social networks. Business users are continually struggling with how much information they should put online out of fear of it impacting business relationships. Yet, still many don’t factor in religions considerations and the potential side effects of spiritual messages — or even proselytizing. But as more people begin to integrate their personal and business networks on social sites, and the “walled garden” of Facebook becomes more flexible, there are questions that any God-fearing user should ask him- or herself. Should you set privacy settings? Should you keep networks only social? Or, should you keep your prayer offline to begin with; does God even read Facebook?
“Frankly, my feeling is you should act the same on social media venues as you do in business meetings,” said Heather Logrippo, publisher of Distinctive Homes Magazine. “I would not talk about politics, religion or my sex life in a business meeting and thus, will keep my status updates on Facebook clear of anything that could be considered offensive. The point in using social media is to broaden my exposure and chances of connecting with people, not isolating them.”
Logrippo said that of her 1,300 Facebook friends, roughly 75 percent of them are potential clients. She said that she does have one potential client that is always posting not-so-subtle religious status messages.
“While I know that there is no harm meant, it does make me uncomfortable,” she said.
Logrippo shares the same concerns as many others with whom I have spoken:
- If a user is that outspoken about chosen religion, will there be judgment against those not of the same religion?
- Some users claim to only use social networks as a social tool, but then shouldn’t they disconnect from business contacts.
- If you do block a feed, then you always remember that contact as someone you filtered out. Furthermore, if you unfriend someone due to blatant relgious expression, how do you explain it without offending them (even if you were first offended)?
Not everyone shares Logrippo’s opinion, however. Robin Hardy, business consultant and motivational expert, said that as a business building expert she encourages her clients to be personal. That includes including faith-based messages on social networks where business contacts might exist.
“I myself put up Bible verses, prayer, what God is doing in my life and it has actually increased my business,” Hardy said. “Why should people draw the line with their faith when they are open to use profanity and sexual content and no one seems to mind? People place their party photos where they are drunk as a skunk and no one minds.”
