Unfollowed for Posting Religious Content on Social Media (07.20.23)

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This week we’re talking about social media and the way others respond to the religious content we might post on there. Many Christians use social media, at least in part, to share content that contains a religious message (articles, images, videos, etc.). However, if you do this on a regular basis, there’s a good chance you’ve had people block, unfollow, or unfriend you on that social media site. And often you won’t even know when this has happened. So what do we do about this? We’re going to talk about that in our episode today.

STORY – One-in-Six Americans Have Taken Steps to See Less of Someone on Social Media Due to Religious Content

“Some Americans use social media for religious purposes, such as posting prayer requests, following religious leaders or sharing articles or videos about religion. However, what people post or see online about religion does not always make a good impression.

“A recent Pew Research Center survey shows that 17% of U.S. adults have unfollowed, unfriended, blocked or changed their settings to see less of someone on social media because of religious content the person posted or shared.

“Atheists (36%) and agnostics (29%) are more likely than most other religious groups in this analysis to say they have blocked or unfollowed others due to religious content. Some 20% of Jews have done this, as have 13% of Protestants and 12% of Catholics.”

[…]

“On the flip side, far fewer Americans (3%) believe that they themselves have been unfollowed or blocked due to religious content that they posted.

“Among U.S. adults overall, 17% say they ever post information about religion on social media. That includes 2% who do so daily, 3% who do so weekly and 12% who do so monthly or less often. The vast majority of Americans say they never post about religion on social media.” (Pew Research)