Keyboard Warriors
I have a friend who is a keyboard warrior. He is polite, articulated and writes considered grammar refraining from obscenities. He does not target an individual; he does not bully. He posts true facts and attempts to pique the interest and raise awareness of the groups in which he posts. He welcomes opinions, which he then chooses to challenge. Whilst rallying for those who are seldom heard, today he realised he is an internet troll.
Internet trolls are often given a bad name, due to the controversial, backhanded comments which are oftentimes accompanying their posts (Cook et al. 2017). Trolls are sensation seeking and interaction seeking. But what if the troll was an individual looking to hold a church group accountable for the predatory behaviour of its pastor, trying to assist in liberating female victims who had previously been silenced?
Let me explain. I’ll aim to keep it brief.
The Willow Creek Community Church, one of the 10 largest churches in America was founded by Bill Hybels in 1975, with a new approach to religious teachings. Hybels then formed the Willow Creek Association to link like-minded churches, which hosts an Annual Global Leadership Summit to assist other churches with development and resources to help direct and manage their congregations more effectively.
What Bill Hybels has achieved for his church is profound, however his work is soured by the accusations of multiple women who state Bill Hybels groomed and sexually assaulted them. With an accusation being just that, an accusation, there is usually due process to determine the truth of the matter. However in this instance, Bill Hybels denied the matter which drew an applause from the congregation. There was no independent investigation.
In the age of the #metoo movement, my friend, the Keyboard Warrior took it upon himself and other Americans of similar view to troll and demand answers for the women whose voices have been silenced. He targeted church groups, their congregation often engaging in the conversation.
My friend uses his keyboard to ask via social media platforms Twitter and Facebook why members of the Global Leadership Summit are not demanding an independent investigation. My friend will question those who blindly believe what they have been told without seeking further truth. My friend will point out to people that the victims could have been their mother, their child.
My friend has found people retaliate in shocking ways, with some people likening his stance to that of the devil. Another told him his words upset her because she was sexually assaulted as a young woman, and she didn’t want to think about it. My friend apologised for bringing back painful memories, and said he would always side with the victims. She told him to leave her church alone, and that God will make everything right.
I’m not convinced God is able to make right all the wrongs. The truth is, if we don’t talk about the accusations and have the independent investigation which is so desperately needed, we are potentially left with another man in a position of power taking advantage of young women who have no voice.
My friend is a keyboard warrior, an internet troll and I couldn’t be more proud to call him my friend.
