Snapshot Propaganda

Who would you vote for in the two pictures? The gun-toting violent looking guy or the child loving family man?
 
(I hope your answer is the violent looking guy!)
 
My reason for this brief blog is simple – I am seeing so many snapshot pictures posted online for the sole purpose of swaying voters. And it is troubling.
 
Such snapshots are unflattering pictures, intentionally making a person look angry, mean, hateful, stupid, incompetent, violent, clumsy, and so on…
 
Stated simply, I expect propaganda machines, political party hacks, or passionate keyboard warriors to be active in such nefarious postings. After all, the reason people post such uncomplimentary (sometimes openly distorted by AI or other means) snapshots is that such pictures can actually work and influence public opinion.
 
Of course, some photos of leaders need to be published, for some contain vital information necessary for voters to consider. But that is not my issue.
 
My point is simply that Christians are supposed to be held to a high standard of political discourse. And that includes what they post online. I am taking issue with dishonest snapshots intended to sway voters – photos without context, photos manipulated, or photos that misinform at best and slander at worst. 
 
The church’s history when it comes to such shenanigans is not very stellar. A brief glimpse at some of the images in the Reformation debates shows that Christian charity and concern for truth can easily be lost in the heat of battle.

My students are often appalled when I show them such images (and these ones are tame compared to others) – often asking how those Christians of a bygone era could circulate such mean caricatures.
 
Sadly, not much has changed for we seem to be no different. The human condition remains the same, and common sense, concern for truth, and Christian charity continues to be lost in the battle. 
 
My hunch the current political heat will continue – and perhaps even worsen – in the coming months. My hope is that Christians will aspire to engage in a different type of discourse and avoid taking part in snapshot propaganda.
 
The negative reason for doing so is perhaps not so obvious but compelling nonetheless; posting such things usually says more about the one who posted than the one portrayed in the snapshot.
 
The positive reason for doing so is perhaps more obvious, it is an act of charity and clarity and witness.