Fraudulent “Trad Wife” Exposes Social Media’s Extremism Problem
Last week, American Christian social media was rocked by the revelation that a prominent “trad wife” influencer—who claimed to be a mother of 14 and an advocate for patriarchal values—was, in reality, a single, childless woman fabricating her entire persona. This case is a stark warning about the power of pretense in the age of ideological extremism: one can fake their way into vice but not into virtue.
Hanno Sauer’s Perspective on Morality and Pretense
In his book The Invention of Good and Evil, evolutionary biologist Hanno Sauer argues that morality is not a transcendent truth but a product of human evolution designed to encourage cooperation. While this claim is familiar in reductionist materialist thought, Sauer’s sociological observations on the past 50 years are particularly striking. He explores how individuals determine right and wrong in an era of cultural upheaval, emphasizing the role of pretense in moral and ideological shifts.
Irony and Radicalization in Right-Wing Social Media
Sauer highlights how irony and trolling have contributed to a rise in extremist ideologies. Many young people seeking rebellion initially engage with radical content as a joke. However, pretense often leads to genuine belief. “You have to be careful who you pretend to be because at some point you become who you pretend to be,” Sauer warns. He notes that many who start by engaging in misogynistic or extremist rhetoric for laughs eventually become true adherents to these dangerous ideologies.
The Escalation of Extremism in Online Communities
Sauer argues that social media fosters “extremism inflation,” where the loudest, most radical voices dominate the discourse. To gain status within ideological groups, individuals must demonstrate increasing loyalty, often by adopting even more extreme views. This creates a dangerous cycle where what was once an outlandish joke becomes accepted as the new normal. Pretending to be an extremist, over time, makes one a real extremist.
The Biblical Warning Against Hypocrisy and Pretense
The Bible has long warned of the dangers of pretense. Scripture cautions that mimicking idols leads to becoming like them (Psalm 115:8) and that “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5:6). The Apostle Paul emphasized that true godliness cannot be faked; those who outwardly perform virtue while lacking sincerity are ultimately deceiving themselves. The article argues that those who embrace extremism under the guise of humor or irony play a dangerous game that often ends in real moral and ideological corruption.
True Transformation Cannot Be Faked
The article concludes with a powerful reminder that virtue and Christian maturity cannot be achieved through performance. Pretending to hold certain beliefs does not lead to genuine faith, just as pretending to be extreme ultimately leads to real extremism. In an era where online discourse rewards radicalism, the challenge remains: will individuals seek sincere faith and integrity, or will they fall into the trap of ideological performance?
Source:
Be Careful Who You Pretend to Be
Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash
About Post Author
