Written by Edge of Humanity Magazine Staff
Despite the fact that 85% of the world’s population identifies with a religion, a significant portion of youth, almost one-third, still experience bullying.
But what’s more shocking is that when it comes to online harassment, the number shoots up. An alarming 40% of individuals have been targeted at least once. From offensive name-calling to physical threats, online harassment comes in all shapes and forms.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect is that these bullies don’t always fit the stereotype of the isolated social outcast. In fact, some of them appear extremely devoted to their faith and religion.
But, be it any religion, the foundation is always built on a set of core values like compassion, empathy, and kindness. There is no holy scripture that permits harmful behavior.
For instance, Christianity teaches the principle of ‘love thy neighbor as thyself,’ Islam tells us about the importance of treating others with respect and kindness, and Buddhism gives us the principle of ahimsa, or non-violence, towards all living beings.
So, as someone devoted to a god, these principles inherently forbid us from harming others, even our enemies. Yet, in the digital space, we witness a stark contrast where online trolls freely indulge in hateful behaviors despite some being god-loving individuals in real life.
Cognitive dissonance theory gives us an insight into how online trolls reconcile their faith with their actions. To put it simply, this phenomenon occurs when individuals hold two conflicting beliefs. To curb the discomfort, they mostly tend to dehumanize their victims. And, the online space makes it easier as there is never any face-to-face interaction and anonymity shielding them.
Also, some online bullies have a perceived sense of righteousness or superiority. They believe that they are enacting a form of divine justice or correcting wrongs. This mindset is mostly seen in perpetrators who are driven by misinterpreted religious ideologies.
These harassers see themselves as defenders of their faith against those they view as heretics or sinners.
In one real-life incident, a group of religion-based activists launched online attacks against a biology teacher in Texas after she assigned her students to read about evolution in their science class. The trolls, who claimed they were defending their religious values, flooded her social media pages with hateful messages. Some even went as far as contacting the school board demanding her dismissal.
As you can see, when it comes to online trolls, there is also selective interpretation of religious texts. They twist and turn it to serve them. They even cherry-pick passages or lines that seem to support their behavior while ignoring broader rules.
Then there’s the internet, which is home to a myriad of online communities that are centered around extremist ideologies. This creates echo chambers where harmful behaviors are normalized and even encouraged. So, even if a perpetrator feels a sense of empathy or internal conflict, it is quickly diminished by the negative influence.
In most cases, harassers will do anything to justify their behavior, and sadly, the digital space makes it easy for them to hide in the shadows.
Are you trying to dilute your negative online presence?
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If some (many) bullies are righteous about bullying, then that’s stupid and they should give up on that. And, yes, I know, I say that as if there will now be widespread confession and change. But, really, regardless of intent on line, we all get to hide behind the shield that is cyberspace. And isn’t that enough? I’m sure the bullying attitude often merges with faith and/or religion somehow (also with many), and you’re right to note the dissonance in that. Traditional strictures in actual faiths of many kinds regarding love of neighbor, let alone welcoming the stranger, are directive as well as foundational. I’ve only gotten the smallest taste of (dissonant) bullying on the computer or over the phone. Others have had it so much worse in that the bullying has drastically changed their lives and sometimes, frankly, led to ending lives. Which rank bullying and this sort among the worst things we can do to each other. I’m no (unfallen) angel, which means I understand the need for reconciliation. And if I’m too vituperative here, then I’m sorry. But sorrier still for how with new technology we find new ways deeply to hurt each other.
Good share.