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Faith and Fake News: A Guide to Consuming Information Wisely
Share if you love Jesus. Scroll past if you follow the devil.
Most Christians have encountered phony posts on our feeds meant to rile us up. But not everything we see on social media is so obviously absurd. As online spaces increase in importance, we urgently need to consider how to love our neighbors on the internet—and this includes sharing the truth.
Rachel I. Wightman has seen this problem firsthand as a librarian with over a decade of experience instructing students in information literacy. In Faith and Fake News, she shares her expertise with average Christians. This timely and essential guide explains the information landscape and its tendency toward thought bubbles, discusses techniques for fact-checking and evaluating sources, and offers suggestions on ways to engage with our neighbors online while bearing witness to Christ and the truth.
Most Christians have encountered phony posts on our feeds meant to rile us up. But not everything we see on social media is so obviously absurd. As online spaces increase in importance, we urgently need to consider how to love our neighbors on the internet—and this includes sharing the truth.
Rachel I. Wightman has seen this problem firsthand as a librarian with over a decade of experience instructing students in information literacy. In Faith and Fake News, she shares her expertise with average Christians. This timely and essential guide explains the information landscape and its tendency toward thought bubbles, discusses techniques for fact-checking and evaluating sources, and offers suggestions on ways to engage with our neighbors online while bearing witness to Christ and the truth.
- GenresNonfiction
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2023
3 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 12, 2023
I picked this one up when I read that the author is a librarian and a Christian who started teaching classes at her church called Faith and Fake News in early 2020. Probably not even realizing just how important those classes would be with everything that happened in 2020 (and beyond). I am also a librarian and a Christian, so I thought this book would be right up my alley. Rachel Wightman does a great job of breaking down how faith and information and technology intersect and how we as Christians should interact in the digital world. The book is divided into 3 sections - the information landscape, evaluating information, and deciding what to do. The biggest takeaway seems obvious, but is often hard to apply in our day-to-day online interactions - how would Jesus interact with people online? Social media is often fueled by outrage - whatever is outrageous is often what gets pushed the most. As Christians we should be striving to bring salt and light wherever we go - including the internet and social media. We should also be striving to promote the truth - not just what we think is the truth or our opinions/views on any given topic. Wightman does a great job of pointing out how often our social media/online interactions are fueled by emotion not intellect and the importance of thinking before we speak - in person or online. At the end of each chapter she gives several reflection questions and exercises to help us think about how we interact online and things we might need to work on. Overall, I felt like it was a very thorough, non-political book with some great reminders. I think this would be an excellent church class or small group study as well.
Some quotes I liked:
"...a survey by the Pew Research Center in 2018 showed that many adults struggle to distinguish between fact and opinion. They showed over five thousand adults ten statements, five opinions and five facts, and asked the participants to rate the statements as fact or opinion. 'The main portion of the study, which measured the public's ability to distinguish between five factual statements and and five opinion statements, found that a majority of Americans correctly identified at least three of five statements in each set. But this result is only a little better than random guesses. Far fewer Americans got all five correct, and roughly a quarter got most or all wrong.' Interestingly, participants were also more likely to label facts as opinions if they went against their political persuasion." (p. 120-21)
"Ultimately, though, what I hope we can realize is that we're 'never free from the possibility of being mistaken.'" (p. 130) [This quote reminds me of Rick Warren's recent writing that he realized he'd been wrong about women in church leadership and how as Christians we should believe that God is inerrant, but our views are not.]
"In another class, a participant brought up another helpful point about humility and either-or thinking. She reminded us all that when Jesus interacted with people, he didn't rush. And even more importantly, he also often responded to questions with more questions or open-ended responses, or both. Although he was the ultimate truth-teller, he didn't always give people straight answers (much to their frustration, I imagine) but responded with open-ended prompts; his questions and responses allowed him to find his intersection with the culture at the time and ultimately teach them other ways to think about issues." (p. 137)
"In his book Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk, Eugene Cho posits that many Christians in the United States have taken their political views and put them in front of their theology or faith. That is to say, for many Christians, we look at our faith through the lens of our political perspective instead of letting our politics be informed by the lens of our faith." (p. 138)
Some quotes I liked:
"...a survey by the Pew Research Center in 2018 showed that many adults struggle to distinguish between fact and opinion. They showed over five thousand adults ten statements, five opinions and five facts, and asked the participants to rate the statements as fact or opinion. 'The main portion of the study, which measured the public's ability to distinguish between five factual statements and and five opinion statements, found that a majority of Americans correctly identified at least three of five statements in each set. But this result is only a little better than random guesses. Far fewer Americans got all five correct, and roughly a quarter got most or all wrong.' Interestingly, participants were also more likely to label facts as opinions if they went against their political persuasion." (p. 120-21)
"Ultimately, though, what I hope we can realize is that we're 'never free from the possibility of being mistaken.'" (p. 130) [This quote reminds me of Rick Warren's recent writing that he realized he'd been wrong about women in church leadership and how as Christians we should believe that God is inerrant, but our views are not.]
"In another class, a participant brought up another helpful point about humility and either-or thinking. She reminded us all that when Jesus interacted with people, he didn't rush. And even more importantly, he also often responded to questions with more questions or open-ended responses, or both. Although he was the ultimate truth-teller, he didn't always give people straight answers (much to their frustration, I imagine) but responded with open-ended prompts; his questions and responses allowed him to find his intersection with the culture at the time and ultimately teach them other ways to think about issues." (p. 137)
"In his book Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk, Eugene Cho posits that many Christians in the United States have taken their political views and put them in front of their theology or faith. That is to say, for many Christians, we look at our faith through the lens of our political perspective instead of letting our politics be informed by the lens of our faith." (p. 138)
May 28, 2023
An important topic for Christians to be digging into. How do we consume information online and how is impacted by our faith? How do we treat our online neighbors? Is it as Jesus would call us to?
Parts 1 and 2 layout the information landscape and how to evaluate info. Very practical but often unknown and underused info and skills.
I only wish Part 3 spent more time with examples and suggestions, including a discussion of how Christians are called to engage with other Christians vs. nonbelievers.
This would be especially great to read and process through with a small group, including the discussion questions and activities!
Parts 1 and 2 layout the information landscape and how to evaluate info. Very practical but often unknown and underused info and skills.
I only wish Part 3 spent more time with examples and suggestions, including a discussion of how Christians are called to engage with other Christians vs. nonbelievers.
This would be especially great to read and process through with a small group, including the discussion questions and activities!
October 1, 2023
Fake news is a tale as old as time, but the invention of the Internet and the ability to spread believable (or even unbelievable but emotionally compelling or bias satisfying) misinformation has caused it to skyrocket. Every one of us has certainly seen fake news. Most of us have probably even shared or believed fake news. Even the most cautious aren’t immune. A couple years ago, a respected Ivy League religion professor that I follow on social media posted a news article that didn’t ring true to me. I traced the linked article back to its original source—the satire website Babylon Bee. With misinformation everywhere, how do we know what to trust? Who to trust? How to find reliable information? Those are the questions that librarian and educator Rachel Wightman seeks to answer with Faith and Fake News: A Guide to Consuming Information Wisely.
You might think that the job of librarian is to shush to the loud people and make sure the books are in the right place, but it goes way beyond that. As a librarian, Wightman is trained in the art of research and information sciences. Her professional expertise is in connecting people with information that is relevant, rigorous, and trustworthy for whatever they need. Faith and Fake News is divided into three parts. The first third of the book is an exploration of the information landscape. Wightman talks about how fake news proliferates online, how social media algorithms exacerbate the problem, and what we can do to fight back against it. This is an excellent introduction to people who haven’t ever really thought about why they see the content they do online or haven’t understood how different factors individualize (and thus subjectivize) their Internet experience. Wightman uses non-political and noncontroversial examples to show how it works, then applies that to more contested examples.
The second third takes an introspective turn, teaching us how to evaluate information subjectively (how does this make me feel?) and objectively (what are some markers that make this a reliable resource?). Some of her suggestions feel obvious—but the proliferation and belief in fake news suggests that it isn’t always such. Faith and Fake News teaches readers to not just evaluate the message but also the messenger. How can we determine what websites are reliable? She also talks about understanding biases. When I go to MSNBC and Fox News, these news organizations might both be reliable, but both also have different biases. How one reads a true news story will be affected by the commentary each site provides. Wightman contends that if we acknowledge and understand those biases, we can read and evaluate information more wisely.
The final third of Faith and Fake News talks about what we do in light of the proliferation of fake news and the increase in political and social polarization. As a Christian, for Wightman, it all comes down to “love your neighbor as yourself.” She advocates for grace and understanding, for calm listening and careful criticism. She also advocates for readers to seek out and understand different perspectives. We may not be able to quell the influx of fake news overnight, but reading more wisely and interacting with others more calmly will eventually lead to fake news’s downfall. Fake news thrives on the sensational and feeds on drama, controversy, and online arguments. What if we refused to participate? Wightman, with calmness and clarity, pulls readers out of the culture wars and suggests that a better and healthier type of engagement.
One of the highlights of the book is that it is modeled on Wightman’s class on the intersectionality of faith and misinformation that she began in 2019 in the leadup to the 2020 Presidential election. Wightman includes several practical exercises and ideas that make Faith and Fake News more than theory. I’m a person that’s online more than a lot of people. I pride myself on having a good nose for fake news. Most of what Wightman discusses in the book wasn’t new news to me, but even then her call for what to do different is still compelling. Jesus says “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” As Christians we must pursue the truth. Faith and Fake News shows us how to do that.
You might think that the job of librarian is to shush to the loud people and make sure the books are in the right place, but it goes way beyond that. As a librarian, Wightman is trained in the art of research and information sciences. Her professional expertise is in connecting people with information that is relevant, rigorous, and trustworthy for whatever they need. Faith and Fake News is divided into three parts. The first third of the book is an exploration of the information landscape. Wightman talks about how fake news proliferates online, how social media algorithms exacerbate the problem, and what we can do to fight back against it. This is an excellent introduction to people who haven’t ever really thought about why they see the content they do online or haven’t understood how different factors individualize (and thus subjectivize) their Internet experience. Wightman uses non-political and noncontroversial examples to show how it works, then applies that to more contested examples.
The second third takes an introspective turn, teaching us how to evaluate information subjectively (how does this make me feel?) and objectively (what are some markers that make this a reliable resource?). Some of her suggestions feel obvious—but the proliferation and belief in fake news suggests that it isn’t always such. Faith and Fake News teaches readers to not just evaluate the message but also the messenger. How can we determine what websites are reliable? She also talks about understanding biases. When I go to MSNBC and Fox News, these news organizations might both be reliable, but both also have different biases. How one reads a true news story will be affected by the commentary each site provides. Wightman contends that if we acknowledge and understand those biases, we can read and evaluate information more wisely.
The final third of Faith and Fake News talks about what we do in light of the proliferation of fake news and the increase in political and social polarization. As a Christian, for Wightman, it all comes down to “love your neighbor as yourself.” She advocates for grace and understanding, for calm listening and careful criticism. She also advocates for readers to seek out and understand different perspectives. We may not be able to quell the influx of fake news overnight, but reading more wisely and interacting with others more calmly will eventually lead to fake news’s downfall. Fake news thrives on the sensational and feeds on drama, controversy, and online arguments. What if we refused to participate? Wightman, with calmness and clarity, pulls readers out of the culture wars and suggests that a better and healthier type of engagement.
One of the highlights of the book is that it is modeled on Wightman’s class on the intersectionality of faith and misinformation that she began in 2019 in the leadup to the 2020 Presidential election. Wightman includes several practical exercises and ideas that make Faith and Fake News more than theory. I’m a person that’s online more than a lot of people. I pride myself on having a good nose for fake news. Most of what Wightman discusses in the book wasn’t new news to me, but even then her call for what to do different is still compelling. Jesus says “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” As Christians we must pursue the truth. Faith and Fake News shows us how to do that.
May 22, 2023
Man, this book is so helpful in the current culture. Wightman, is the perfect voice to take on this challenge. As a librarian, and one from a variety of different contexts, she maintains stoic, and at times even annoying objectivity. I kept looking for her to become my ally in my perspectives, but even after having finished the book, and having a few conversations with her in the past, I still have no idea where she stands politically or theologically. It seems her ability to simply side-step my (and I suspect most readers') desire to have our positions validated by a well-researched expert is what makes this book so valuable.
If you're looking for someone to support your perspective or go get those other people, this isn't the book for you. If you're looking for something emotionally balanced, and instructive in restoring unity through best-practices, grab a copy.
As I was reading it, I kept thinking of and adding names to the list of people for whom I need to buy this. This isn't wrong, and I'd recommend buying a dozen or so copies to pass out to people at church, friends, family, coworkers. However, I do think you only have the right to put it in someone else's hands if you've first read and worked through it yourself. This book isn't meant to be a weapon, but a tool of restoration and peace.
If you're looking for someone to support your perspective or go get those other people, this isn't the book for you. If you're looking for something emotionally balanced, and instructive in restoring unity through best-practices, grab a copy.
As I was reading it, I kept thinking of and adding names to the list of people for whom I need to buy this. This isn't wrong, and I'd recommend buying a dozen or so copies to pass out to people at church, friends, family, coworkers. However, I do think you only have the right to put it in someone else's hands if you've first read and worked through it yourself. This book isn't meant to be a weapon, but a tool of restoration and peace.
July 28, 2023
This is a fine, easy-to-read book with good practical ideas on how to process the wealth of information now available to us, while keeping firmly in mind that as Christians we must be loving our neighbour.
I have been involved in various ways in the Computer Industry for over 40 years, and have been involved in all different levels of data mining and information processing, and have been involved in Christian ministry for almost as long. I didn’t encounter any new principles or approaches in this book, however there were some specific resources that I was unaware of.
I appreciated that each chapter had not only exercises, but additional resources. Often, I am critical of smaller books for not being well indexed or not well referenced. The Author takes her own advice well, in supplying a well-indexed, and well-referenced resource.
The major downside is that it is very American, with many of the examples and many of the resources being of more value to a US-audience. However, we all have problems with Social Media (as well as traditional media) having misinformation and disinformation, and the techniques given do work well across cultures.
Worth a read for all Christians who want to know how better to process not only their News, but also their Social Media.
I have been involved in various ways in the Computer Industry for over 40 years, and have been involved in all different levels of data mining and information processing, and have been involved in Christian ministry for almost as long. I didn’t encounter any new principles or approaches in this book, however there were some specific resources that I was unaware of.
I appreciated that each chapter had not only exercises, but additional resources. Often, I am critical of smaller books for not being well indexed or not well referenced. The Author takes her own advice well, in supplying a well-indexed, and well-referenced resource.
The major downside is that it is very American, with many of the examples and many of the resources being of more value to a US-audience. However, we all have problems with Social Media (as well as traditional media) having misinformation and disinformation, and the techniques given do work well across cultures.
Worth a read for all Christians who want to know how better to process not only their News, but also their Social Media.
June 21, 2024
What a timely and needed read. As expected from a research librarian, Rachel Wightman breaks down how to sort through all the information out there and some strategies to fact check the validity of the information. But this book goes further and invites us to think about what it means to “love our neighbors” in online spaces even when they may not agree or think the way we do.
I can admit that online spaces often make me forget I’m interacting with living, breathing people behind a comment or post and when I forget, I’m not always the ‘salt and light’ I aim to be.
This books encourages us to examine our feelings about the information floating out there and reminds us to separate the person from what they think or believe. Keeping a Christian mindset of patience, love and humility makes for much kinder interactions both online and in person.
I couldn’t recommend this book more, especially in the age we are living.
I can admit that online spaces often make me forget I’m interacting with living, breathing people behind a comment or post and when I forget, I’m not always the ‘salt and light’ I aim to be.
This books encourages us to examine our feelings about the information floating out there and reminds us to separate the person from what they think or believe. Keeping a Christian mindset of patience, love and humility makes for much kinder interactions both online and in person.
I couldn’t recommend this book more, especially in the age we are living.
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April 28, 2025well-written book by a librarian about how she combats misinformation in her church. i think doing information literacy at a church is a really good idea, especially in my area. i read this for a program.
May 27, 2023
Contains a wealth of information about information. Needs work as a guide in the form of post-its, bookmarks, and notes.
July 25, 2025
I loved how this provided some insight on how to be a conscious consumer of media as a Christian and love that it was written by someone who goes to my church
November 17, 2024
Read this for ideas on my freshman rhet/comp class. There's some good resources in it! Definitely more geared toward church groups than college classrooms, though.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews