Does this represent the final reason we have been yearning for not to go to Church, and should religions be worried about this trend?
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Unregistered(d)
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God online |
Lead | ||
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Recent research results show that more adults are using computers for religious purposes than gambling, banking and trading in stocks and shares.
Does this represent the final reason we have been yearning for not to go to Church, and should religions be worried about this trend? |
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Unregistered(d) |
RE: God online | #1 | ||
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I don't think the Church or religions in general have anything to worry about in this repsect. As opposed to an excuse not to go a place of worship, the web provides a means for people who are not in or near their religious community to engage in prayer / devotion. The internet brings isolated individuals into communities - this should be embraced, not feared.
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Unregistered(d) |
RE:RE: God online | #2 | ||
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What kind of religious communities are possible on the internet? There may be some people who are genuine but many people pretend or hide behind identities.
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Unregistered(d) |
Religious communities are possible online! | #3 | ||
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The anonymity the internet provides means that more individuals, who are scared or threatened by the step of going to a place of worship, can share their thoughts and feelings with like-minded people. Some people will abuse the freedom this system provides, but sadly this happens in all fields of life.
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Doubting Thomas |
Religion online can be dangerous | #4 | ||
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I think its fair enough that people ar embracing technology for religious purposes. What worries me, is that there are many people who are fundamentalist in their viewpoints, or excessively evangelical on the internet. The web is still very poorly regulated, and these individuals can cause hurt or incite hatred with little fear of personal retribution.
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Simon Cohen |
RE: Religion online can be dangerous | #5 | ||
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While you are correct that the web is not regulated as much as press or radio, for instance, there are still many ways of filtering out (and pressing charges against) those individuals / viewpoints that incite religious hatred. Suffice it to say we cannot inform you of these, but as long as everyone keeps to the ground rules and objectives in the welcome section there should be no problems!!
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Unregistered(d) |
RE: God online | #6 | ||
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I don't think the Church has to worry about the surge in religious internet usage. For those that believe in the sacrament of Holy Communion, and the general emphasis on the body in Christianity (for example the incarnation of Christ), the disembodied communication of internet surfing could never replace going to Church. The body and forging real local communities is central ot Christianity. The internet will only add to its impact and message - not replace it.
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Unregistered(d) |
Church attendance will fall with the rise of the internet! | #7 | ||
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I think that people will find a way of having virtual Communion. God transcends technology and I am sure there will be a time in the future when its not just sermons and songs you can interact with on the web, but Communion and other sacraments. I'm not sure how baptism will work, but I'm sure someone will think of it!!
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Unregistered(d) |
RE:RE:RE: God Online | #8 | ||
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I think the internet is a useful resource for Christians and indeed all other religious faiths. However, I think physical social interaction is extremely important for our progression- not just as Chrsitians, but as people. For this reason, I think the Church and other religious places of worship will always be about regardless of the rise of the internet.
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| God online | 12/08/03 09:33:11 | Unregistered(d) |
| RE: God online | 12/08/03 10:12:48 | Unregistered(d) |
| RE:RE: God online | 12/08/03 10:17:30 | Unregistered(d) |
| Religious communities are possible online! | 12/08/03 10:21:49 | Unregistered(d) |
| Religion online can be dangerous | 12/08/03 10:29:03 | Doubting Thomas |
| RE: Religion online can be dangerous | 12/08/03 10:35:35 | Simon Cohen |
| RE: God online | 12/08/03 10:40:34 | Unregistered(d) |
| Church attendance will fall with the rise of the internet! | 12/12/03 10:05:33 | Unregistered(d) |
| RE:RE:RE: God Online | 12/19/03 03:27:09 | Unregistered(d) |