Respect & Graciousness in Online Debates

In today’s digital age, where social media platforms have become arenas for public discourse, one thing is becoming increasingly rare—graciousness in disagreement. Whether it's politics, religion, or any other hot-button issue, many people engage in discussions not to learn or exchange ideas, but to win or tear down others. This lack of respect and humility in conversations is harmful, and both sides of any debate should strive to do better.
Recently, I had an exchange with a commenter that highlighted this problem. This individual accused me of hypocrisy because I made a video about respecting leadership, yet he couldn’t find a video where I condemned a conservative politician for heckling President Biden. When I didn’t respond quickly enough, he doubled down, claiming that my silence proved his accusations were true. What he didn’t know was that I was out of town, visiting my elderly mother, who likely doesn’t have much time left. In his mind, answering his comment should have been my top priority.
This kind of interaction is an example of what social media calls trolling—not genuine conversation, but attacks designed to provoke. It also reveals a deeper issue: the unwillingness of many people to engage in discussions with patience, humility, and an open mind. Today, I want to talk about why graciousness matters, how we should respond to critics, and why trolls should not dictate our time or energy.

Sources
http://www.marvinmckenzie.org
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marvin-McKenzie/author/B005OZV81Q?
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MarvinMcKenzie
https://medium.com/@booksbymarvinmckenzie
https://macz.creator-spring.com/
https://ko-fi.com/marvinmckenzie14276
https://www.youtube.com/@MarvinMcKenzie
https://www.youtube.com/@ApologeticsAdvocates
https://www.youtube.com/@MarvinMcKenziePreacher
https://www.youtube.com/@LegendsofLiberty