Prayer Shaming Debate Rocks Twitter After Latest Mass Shooting

In the world of Twitter, shaming is nothing new. Actually, shaming is not new for most forms of social media. Whether it’s a parent shaming their child or a troll trying to get a reaction, shaming comes with the territory. But what about “prayer shaming?”

Image via Twitter / BBC Trending
Image via Twitter / BBC Trending

Shortly after Syed Rizwan, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27, killed 14 people and wounded 17 others at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, CA this week, many on social media were quick to send their thoughts and prayers. While these type of condolences are becoming all too familiar, there were some that took exception. One such person was the LGBT Editor of Think Progress, Zack Ford, who posted these tweets:

1 Zack Ford prayer shaming ZackFord Twitter 1

1 Zack Ford prayer shaming ZackFord Twitter 2

In contrast, conservative blogger and Editor-In-Chief of RedState.com, Erick Erickson, fired back against those dismissing prayer with this tweet:

Erick Erickson prayer shaming EWErickson Twitter 3

These are just a small example of the heated debate that is taking place on Twitter. So why the debate in the first place? In an article from The Atlantic that discusses prayer shaming, writer Emma Green shows this tweet from the Washington Editor of The Nation, George Zornick, that shows the difference in reactions from some 2016 presidential hopefuls:

George Zornick prayer shaming gzornick Twitter 4

Green then writes:

“There’s a clear claim being made here, and one with an edge: Democrats care about doing something and taking action while Republicans waste time offering meaningless prayers. These two reactions, policy-making and prayer, are portrayed as mutually exclusive, coming from totally contrasting worldviews. Elsewhere on Twitter, full-on prayer shaming set in: Anger about the shooting was turned not toward the perpetrator or perpetrators, whose identities are still unknown, but at those who offered their prayers.”

This debate is turning out to be very disturbing. It most definitely shows the divide between religious beliefs that have now become political. While there has been a definite shift happening regarding the religious climate in America for some time now, tragedies such as the San Bernardino shooting seem to be getting politicized in a shameful way.

Perhaps columnist Ana Marie Cox put it best when she said:

“Guys, don’t mock the sincere offering of prayers. Mock legislative inaction or hypocrisy. But offering a prayer is not offering NOTHING.”

In the end, as long as you are not hurting others, believe in what you will. If praying makes you feel better, then do it. If wanting prayers makes you feel better, then ask for them. Personally, I would just like an open civil debate on how we can start to combat this epidemic of mass shootings.

Kristie is 22-years-old and resides in Nashville, TN. While reading is a passion, she also has a passion for writing. Reporting on social issues such as LGBT rights, racial injustices, and religious intolerance, she also has a vested interest in the current political climate in America.