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Catholics urged to embrace 'digital temperance' to combat online hate
A digital temperance movement would seek to eliminate addictive technologies that stoke anger, says Catholic writer.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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In an article for America Magazine, Elizabeth Desimone calls on Catholics to lead a 'digital temperance movement' to combat the growing trend of online hate and anger, which she says is distorting the teachings of Jesus. Desimone argues that social media platforms are deliberately promoting divisive content to maximize engagement and profits, and that Christians must resist this by cutting off social media, questioning their own 'righteous anger,' and making efforts to connect with those they disagree with in the real world.
Why it matters
Desimone believes the tendency of some Christians to link rage and hatred with Jesus' teachings is 'particularly troubling' and constitutes a 'heartbreaking idolatry.' She sees a digital temperance movement as a way for Catholics to mitigate the damage done to Jesus' message of love and forgiveness.
The details
Desimone outlines several key principles for a digital temperance movement, including cutting off social media entirely, questioning one's own 'righteous anger' and ensuring it doesn't lead to a disregard for Jesus' teachings on peace and forgiveness, avoiding 'whataboutism' and hypocrisy when it comes to criticizing one's own side, and making efforts to connect with those they disagree with in the real world. She argues that while extracting oneself from social media addiction is difficult, it is a necessary countercultural step for Christians.
- The article was published on February 19, 2026.
The players
Elizabeth Desimone
The author of the article and a Catholic writer calling for a 'digital temperance movement' among Catholics.
Reverend Joel Webbon
A pastor of Covenant Bible Church in Texas who has proclaimed that 'Christians must learn to hate again.'
Reverend Douglas Wilson
The senior minister of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho who has declared 'This is not the time for love and peace.'
Stephanie McCrummen
A journalist who published an article in The Atlantic featuring the examples of militant Christian rhetoric from Reverend Webbon and Reverend Wilson.
Ammon Hennacy
A Catholic Worker activist credited with the quote 'Being a pacifist between wars is like being a vegetarian between meals.'
What they’re saying
“Christians must learn to hate again”
— Reverend Joel Webbon, Pastor of Covenant Bible Church in Texas (The Atlantic)
“This is not the time for love and peace”
— Reverend Douglas Wilson, Senior minister of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho (The Atlantic)
“Being a pacifist between wars is like being a vegetarian between meals.”
— Ammon Hennacy, Catholic Worker activist (Unattributed)
The takeaway
Desimone's call for a 'digital temperance movement' among Catholics highlights the growing concern over the distortion of Jesus' teachings of love and forgiveness by some Christians who are embracing anger and hatred online. Her proposed principles, if widely adopted, could help counter the divisiveness and toxicity fueled by social media platforms and restore a spirit of charity and understanding within the Church.
