Why are we so angry on social media?

SOUTH Africans are a God-fearing bunch. According to the figures published by Statistics South Africa, about 95% of our population believe in a higher being.

What’s more, they regularly attend a church, mosque or temple.

In our province, most people who attend church would greet one another with Sawubona. It’s a Zulu word which means ‘I see you’. But it goes beyond the literal meaning. It is a word steeped with respect and means ‘I see your personality. I see your humanity. I see your dignity and respect.’

In mosques, congregants greet others with the words As-salamu alaykum, which is an Arabic greeting that means ‘Peace be upon you’.

In temples, devotees acknowledge each other with the Sanskrit word Namaste, which means, ‘I bow to the divine in you’.

With love and respect for each other so deeply enshrined in all of our religions and our constitution, what has made South Africans such monsters on social media?

The Jewish Board of Deputies highlighted the issue this week when hateful words were used to describe Jewish people. But it is not just Jews who are targeted. All too often there is a lack of tolerance when someone disagrees with an opinion.

The response becomes loud, ugly and hateful. Some even threaten violence. But it doesn’t have to be that way. What we should do is respect one another in the same way we do when we think God is watching.