This is one of the vows you take on baptism in my church, something I take seriously - and try to live (even on Twitter). I do not live up to it, but being hassled for what is a basic of Christian discipleship is, well, unnerving.
Literally, a few Xians came at me for a tweet that said something kind about GWB as a human being.

Not for defending what he did in Iraq (because that was a moral horror). But for appreciating his generosity to John Lewis.

Twitter is toxic to Christian discipleship.
I've been increasingly concerned about that lack of respect among Christians for the last year - and have worked hard to start w/my own Twitter thread in following this vow.
I've not always succeeded in this. But I've been purposefully trying to model a different way -- critical of policy, truthful and even tough w/o demeaning or misinterpreting people on purpose.
When we're on the other side of the Trump presidency, we're going to need one another to reweave the fabric of our nation. I figured I'd try to start now.

Reaching out, making online friends with people I disagree with.
For the most part, I've been surprised at the openness and generosity of people I once considered enemies.

But, sadly, the equal surprise has been the resistance - even enmity - of some Christians toward the practices of respect, dignity, and love.
I am deeply sorry for times I contributed to anything that is less than this vow holds me to. Twitter makes it hard. Everyone wants to fight back, defend, snark, "build their platform."

I'm so over all that.

I'm here to make the world a better place. To live w/ love & justice.
That vow-the one at the beginning of the thread-does not separate seeking justice and peace from treating ALL people with dignity and respect.

We are called to do both. Justice + dignity is the deal.

Because we live into God's dream for a world where mercy & justice embrace.
I'm in a place where I don't retweet w/o a serious second thought; nor do I jump on the latest Twitter bandwagon; and I stay far away from mobs.

I also consider what I'm going to tweet - and occasionally take something down if I've gotten it wrong.
I do hope that's what you find here-that which informs and inspires framed in not-sappy compassion and genuine hope.

I think many, many, many Americans are hungry for moral clarity & neighborly respect. I'm committed to that. Doing my best to put such words into the world.
You can be smart, witty, and even sarcastic & snarky (use all the literary conventions!) and still treat others w/ respect while standing for justice.

Anyway, this is NOT a subtweet of any individual. It is an honest response to a number of comments made about my GWB tweet.
You can follow @dianabutlerbass.
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