Wanderman in the Wilderness

God's word applied in the world.

Is the “Dislike” Button The End of Your Friend List?

It’s a game-changer. It’s the #1 feature missing from Facebook, and it has been requested for years. Finally, the “dislike” button may soon be here!

Ok. Maybe it isn’t life altering. But Mark Zuckerberg’s recent announcement that Facebook is working on a “dislike” button has piqued a lot of interest. Why is it such a big deal? Currently, Facebookers can only “like” posts!

Facebook claims that the “dislike” button will be a way of showing empathy. But, one could always take time to comment, “I’m sorry you are______and let me know if I can help.” If that really is the only reason for the dislike button, then shame on lazy empathizers.

Personally, I think people just want to disagree with a simple click. And the “dislike” button spells disaster for many so-called “friendships.”

People are so used to the “like” only system, that “dislikes” will be a huge culture shock. And pseudo “friendships” probably won’t stand for “dislikes.” Few people want their posts “frowny-faced!”

Political statement? DISLIKE! Religious statement? DISLIKE! Cultural opinions? DISLIKE! You get the idea. Watch your “friend” counts disappear if you start disliking comments!

But that would be a mistake!

As the Bible points out, we all need a good “dislike” from a true friend. There is a huge difference between a pseudo-friend who stays only as long as you “like” everything they say, and a true friend who will “dislike” when needed. Consider the following examples:

  1. Proverbs 27:5-6 tells us, “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”
  2. Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
  3. Proverbs 28:23, “He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.”

What about you, friend? Do you listen only to those who “like” your comments? Are you willing to consider “dislikes?” Or would you drop a friend, leave the Church, or even dismiss God just because of a “dislike?” Give it some thought… and if you dislike, we’ll still be friends!

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