Why I Stopped Posting Negatively About Politics and OSU Football
I don’t post about politics for the same reason I don’t post about The Ohio State football team (and yes, I included “The” intentionally—I’ll explain why later): there’s no real upside to it, but there’s a whole lot of downside. Both topics stir deep emotions and loyalty, often leading to division instead of understanding. Let me explain using football as an example.
FOUNDATIONS
First, I need to set some foundations.
1. I need to define the term “sting” as I mean it because I will use it often.
Sting (verb): To deliver an intentionally hurtful or cutting remark, action, or response, akin to the sharp pain of a bee sting. It is designed to provoke an emotional reaction, causing momentary pain or discomfort with the potential for lingering effects.
Example: “Her sarcastic comment was meant to sting, leaving him feeling both embarrassed and hurt.”
2. I think there are mainly three reasons why people post about politics.
To celebrate their candidate/party
To change someone’s mind
To “sting” someone
3. I think there are mainly two reasons why people post about sports.
To celebrate their team
To “sting” their rivals.
It’s possible they want to change people’s minds, but I think that’s unlikely for the reasons I’ll deal with below.
One final thought before I explain my perspective, I think celebration posts are almost always received as stings by those on the other side of the issue. On to football…
FOOTBALL
Imagine I post a list of reasons why Michigan football is better than Ohio State. Here are ten valid points I might make:
1. All-Time Wins: Michigan holds the record for the most all-time wins in college football history.
2. The Big House: Michigan Stadium is the largest stadium in the United States and the second-largest in the world, offering an unrivaled game-day atmosphere.
3. Head-to-Head Record: Michigan leads the all-time series against Ohio State.
4. Tradition: Michigan football boasts a longer history and is steeped in traditions like “Hail to the Victors,” widely considered one of the best fight songs.
5. Championships: Michigan claims more national championships than Ohio State.
6. Heisman Winners: Michigan has produced legendary players, including Heisman Trophy winners like Charles Woodson, the only primarily defensive player to win the award.
7. Academic Prestige: The University of Michigan consistently ranks as one of the top public universities in the country, combining athletic success with academic excellence.
8. Rivalry Moments: Michigan has delivered some of the most memorable victories in the history of “The Game,” making their rivalry wins unforgettable.
9. Conference Championships: Michigan has more overall Big Ten Conference Championships.
10. Michigan has won more conference championships in recent years.
Now, imagine someone responds with a list for Ohio State:
1. Recent Dominance: Ohio State has dominated the Michigan rivalry in the 21st century, winning most of their matchups since 2000.
2. National Championships: Ohio State has more claimed national championships in the modern era than Michigan.
3. Big Ten Titles: Ohio State has consistently won more Big Ten Championships in recent decades.
4. Recruiting Power: Ohio State consistently lands higher-ranked recruiting classes, producing elite NFL talent year after year.
5. Heisman Winners: Ohio State boasts more Heisman Trophy winners than Michigan, with seven players earning the honor.
6. NFL Pipeline: Ohio State has produced more first-round NFL draft picks than Michigan, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier program for developing professional talent.
7. Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, and Ryan Day Eras: The success under these coaches has solidified Ohio State as a perennial playoff contender.
8. The Horseshoe: Ohio Stadium (“The Shoe”) is one of the most iconic venues in college football, known for its passionate fans and electrifying atmosphere.
9. Playoff Appearances: Ohio State has more College Football Playoff appearances and better overall playoff success than Michigan.
10. Elite Consistency: Ohio State has consistently been ranked in the top tier of college football, regularly competing for conference and national titles.
Do you think either side changed their mind? The truth is, no list is going to convince someone to switch sides. Why? Because loyalty to sports teams is inherently subjective. I might value all-time wins more than recent victories, while you might prioritize NFL player development over academic prestige. We naturally choose the reasons that align with what we personally value most. And that’s okay—sports fandom is deeply personal, and it doesn’t need to follow a logical argument. Sometimes, we love a team simply because we do.
I know I’m never going to change your mind with a post, but I might hurt you by stinging you with it. I’ve felt that sting myself when reading posts, even when it was “just sports.” And that’s exactly why I chose not to post about the game this year—because I knew people were already feeling the sting of an upset loss.
It’s also why I included “The” earlier—it was a subtle reminder of how easily words can sting or the removal of a word can come across as disrespect. In the end, stinging people doesn’t have an upside. It feels mean-spirited, and for me, it doesn’t reflect the heart of Jesus.
POLITICS
Posting about politics feels a lot like posting about sports. When you share a post about a candidate or political position, you’re highlighting the points you value most. You believe these are the reasons that make your candidate or position the right choice. But here’s the issue: politics, like sports, is subjective. No party or candidate is perfect. Both sides have their positives and negatives (and honestly, even saying that makes me nervous because I know it will sting people who believe their party is flawless).
So, if I make a political post, I’m not going to change anyone’s mind. Instead, I’m far more likely to sting someone—intentionally or unintentionally. And at the end of the day, I have to ask myself: Is it worth it? For me, it’s not. I’ve come to see it as mean-spirited and inconsistent with how Jesus calls me to live.
DO I BURY MY HEAD IN THE SAND AND STAY SILENT?
One common pushback I hear is that I’m burying my head in the sand and neglecting my responsibilities as an American, Christian, or Pastor. But that’s not true. I haven’t stopped addressing important issues—I’ve simply stopped posting about them. Silence isn’t the goal; I’ve shifted to being relationally strategic in how I engage with controversial topics.
So, how do I address issues that matter to me and others? I talk about sports and politics all the time! The difference is, I now have those conversations in relationships where people have given me permission to do so, or from platforms where people trust me to thoughtfully handle these topics.
When it comes to sports, I tailor my approach depending on the audience. Most of my friends are OSU fans, and many of my family members have attended there. If I’m talking with them, I keep the conversation light and respectful. When I’m on stage at church (which is in Ohio), I lean into humor to connect with people. But when I’m with my sons or brother, we’re die-hard Michigan fans, where balance, logic, or respect isn’t really the point—we’re just having fun.
Politics are similar. I discuss political issues regularly, but I do so with wisdom (or at least that’s my goal). I engage in conversations with people who can handle the discussion without being wounded by it. I also use platforms like podcasts and sermons, which give me the opportunity to express my thoughts in a more thoughtful and thorough way.
I learned the hard way during the pandemic when I posted about highly sensitive issues. While I did change some minds—because I was their pastor—I also stung a lot of people. That’s something I deeply regret. Social media didn’t provide the space for the nuance, empathy, or context those conversations deserved.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If certain issues matter deeply to you, I encourage you to engage with them intentionally—within the relationships where people have given you permission or from platforms where people have entrusted you with their attention. Unless you are truly a modern-day “influencer,” where people follow you on social media specifically for your opinions, most of the people connecting with you online are doing so for the relationship, not to receive unsolicited commentary.
They haven’t given you a platform to sting their hearts.
So, I encourage you to pause and reflect: Is it truly worth it to risk wounding someone just to share your opinion? Consider the value of your relationships and the impact your words may have, and let that guide your decision.