To Be or Not to Be?

December 2nd, 2024

Today, we are blessed to share a special blog message from our CEO, Wade Wacker, opening up about some of the challenges we face as a Christian ministry participating in the social media world. We invite you to read, learn, pray, and support us as God leads.

As our ministry has navigated the exciting world of social media for the past 14 years, one thing has become crystal clear: If your content goes against the worldview of the company hosting the site, your exposure will be stifled to the point where your views will be minimal at best. Unfortunately, on the most common sites―YouTube, Facebook/Instagram, and to some extent TikTok―Christian content falls into the category of “offensive” or “violating policy.”

What we have learned is that “Autobots” tag words, especially in titles, and immediately put those videos into a restricted category. Titles that contain the words God, Jesus, Christianity, Bible, Creation, etc., get caught by an “Autobot,” which then moves the video into a “limited access” category. Consequently, our own subscribers won’t be able to see the video, and it won’t appear as a suggested video to general viewers. As a result, most people will not have direct access to our video messages. The social media platforms do not remove the videos, but these videos do become very difficult to find unless you specifically want to and know how to look for them.

Outsmarting the Autobots has been challenging, and the battle is ever-changing. What works today might not work tomorrow. Here are some examples.

“The Best Evidence for God” got tagged as violating the “Religious Policy.” However, changing it to “There Is No Evidence for God―DeBunked” did not get tagged. Just changing the title to have some negativity toward God lifts the restriction.
“The Full Gospel” title did not work, so we tried “The Why Behind the What of Christianity.” That also got tagged. So, we tried again: “3 Minutes That Will Change Your Life Forever.” Voila―it worked!
“Lucy (Australopithecus) Lied to You” got tagged. “Lucy Is the Real Deal―DeBunked” got through.

Are you seeing a trend? We can talk negatively about God or Christianity and get through these filters. But, if we have titles that are negative about science or positive about God, they get tagged.

One final example: “Unveiling the Truth Behind Science. Is God the Secret Ingredient?” That was a no-no. Retitling it to “Science Disproves God―DeBunked,” worked.

The devil is clever (1 Peter 5:8). His battle plan of controlling content over the internet is brilliant, but we are armed and ready to withstand his evil influence and stand firm in the wisdom and knowledge of God (Ephesians 6:10–18). The “weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10: 4–5a)” to engage a world that needs to see Jesus.

We often have great discussions with some of our supporters who, on the surface, ask us why we are on YouTube or TikTok. When we explain the “why” behind it―to be in venues where we can have as many as possible seeing and hearing the hope of Christ, they appreciate our perspective. These social media platforms are where the “eyes” are. We succeed if we can enlighten even one person to know and understand the hope available through Jesus, and we will not shy away from going where the battle is. “To Be or Not to Be?” may be the question, but we’re committed to providing God’s answer through visual media to those who need the kind of hope and love only He can provide.

1 Peter 3:13–17
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

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