Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, you’re probably no stranger to the influx of rainbows popping up in some of the most unexpected places.
June is Pride month, and a celebratory time for LGBTQ communities. As the movement continues to grow rapidly, groups, organizations, businesses and public figures have joined the ranks—sporting the infamous rainbow in show of support.
This year more than ever, it almost seems like it’s become “cool” to express your support for the LGBTQ community. The “cool kids” are doing so with all-things rainbow—including their reaction to your posts on Facebook.
One major corporation taking a very public stand in honor of Pride month and the LGBTQ community is none other than Facebook.
You may have noticed in early June when the reaction emojis across the social media outlet began including a rainbow flag, alongside the traditional like, love and facial expressions.
According to Facebook’s official announcement, the Pride flag emoji was added to “celebrate love and diversity” and demonstrate the company’s commitment to being “a platform that supports all communities.”
Facebook
That being said, you would think Facebook—aiming to support “all communities”—would be open to adding even more reactions in the future—potentially ones that Christian readers of sites like Faithit would use pretty regularly.
One Facebook user put the platform to the test. On June 24, Hikmat Hanna posted a graphic to her page, suggesting the possibility of Facebook adding a reaction that boasts a cross—the universal symbol of salvation.
Facebook
After coming across Hanna’s post in his own feeds, well-known evangelist Joshua Feuerstein joined the quest to add said emoji—racking up thousands of shares, likes and comments in just a matter of days.
Though the response was overwhelming, a spokesperson from Facebook has since confirmed that the cross reaction is not part of the platform’s agenda, telling HuffPost:
“This reaction is not actually available on Facebook, and is not something we’re working on.”
How’s that for supporting “all communities?”
If we’re being honest, I feel like the “KISS” method is probably in everyone’s best interest here: Keep it simple stupid. Rarely do I use more than the original “like” reaction in response to something I see online. Do we really need a full keyboard of options—especially ones that are politically and religiously charged?
Facebook is already a breeding ground for intense, negatively-fueled and “passionate” arguments. Someone’s always offending somebody else, and I feel like incorporating this array of emojis just increases the turmoil among users. And what about the whole different can of worms–accommodating other religious affiliations? The world isn’t made up of just Christian communities and LGBTQ communities. If it’s in Facebook’s best interest to support “all communities,” this might just be the most complicated way possible.
The debate is surely fueling a heated fire on Feuerstein’s viral post.
Social media is ultimately a place for people to have a virtual presence where they can connect and belong. While as a Christian, I’d be impressed to see Facebook include a cross emoji, I think Facebook’s current approach leads to division, not unity.
And that’s not what Jesus or Facebook is all about.
