Cybershaming and when it is OK to react to an offense

Some ideas are worth arguing about. But before you express outrage about that "offensive" social media post, remember the "offender" is a human being.

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Internet outrage rages on, trampling victims as diverse as the conservative Christian owners of a small Indiana pizzeria who declared they would not cater a same-sex wedding to the hip, mixed-race South African comedian set to replace Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show."

Stewarts designated replacement, Trevor Noah, became center of controversy when people discovered some of the jokes he has made on Twitter were anti-Semitic and some mocked overweight women.

Noahs tweets, while inappropriate, raised questions about why politically incorrect statements create storms of outrage, especially on social media. The comedian defended himself via Twitter on March 31, writing, To reduce my views to a handful of jokes that didnt land is not a true reflection of my character, nor my evolution as a comedian.

Public shaming for unacceptable views doesnt come exclusively from the political left or right, and both liberals and conservatives engage in Internet outrage.

Christian blogger Timessa Lynn Leonard wrote for Relevant Magazine, In a world that encourages patience and acceptance, people sure can be touchy, particularly some Christians. Too many times, we can be like overeager watchdogs, sniffing out any morsel of what we deem as offensive, inappropriate or even heretical.

Its gotten to the point where its almost become trendy to be offended, Leonard wrote.

Christians offended by public discourse might remember Pauls statement about charity, found in Corinthians: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity is not easily provoked.

Even within the Christian ideal of charity, Leonard acknowledges that sometimes speaking out about offenses is worthwhile.

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Cybershaming and when it is OK to react to an offense