Faith and Facebook
| August 19th, 2009 | Category: Faith, Linda Smith | 11 commentsDr. LINDA SMITH
PowerHouse Christian Center
I’m constantly amazed at what “captures” people’s attention. The latest fascination is online interaction like Facebook and Twitter. First, I’m fascinated that people think other people care what they’re eating, which toothpaste they like, what game they are playing, etc. If you’ve never checked out sites like these, you may not realize how mindless they can be.
Second, I’m fascinated that, for Christians, they largely tend to avoid sharing that on these sites. I began to wonder if there is an unwritten rule saying only be mundane, not substantive when writing on these sites. I don’t really expect anyone to ‘preach’, but just give us some hint that you might actually have a Lord other than your daily grind.
The pictures of children are cute, but then I just saw a story where a mother was shocked to find out pictures of her son were copied from the family blog and he was offered for sale online!
There’s a lot about ourselves that is very apparent inside and out. Just wish it was easier to tell who’s a Christian by their activities, their words, their lives. Just wish we were a little more sharing and caring with Christ during our daily interactions with one another. I know, I know, sometimes if we pray a Christian prayer in a public place, someone will call the ACLU to come stop us. Just makes me want to stand on the sidewalk and pray out loud in the name of Jesus . . . but then maybe that’s not as interesting as what I had for breakfast (she said sarcastically).
How ’bout it, folks? What do ya say to Christian Faith Out Loud?
Matthew 6:5-6 (New International Version)
5. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
6. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Yeah, I wish we could more easily identify which people hold which beliefs as well. That way, we wouldn’t accidentally talk to the wrong people. (he also said sarcastically)
Also, I apologize if my good deeds have caused you to make an incorrect assumption about my beliefs, or if Christians aren’t doing enough good deeds, or whatever it is that is causing you difficulty in identifying Christians “by their activities, their words, their lives.”
There’s nothing wrong with wishing that people of faith would be more forthright in sharing that faith on social networking sites. The belief that Christians have an evangelical duty is widely held and the Bible plainly calls us (as Christians) to be an example for Christ in our daily lives.
It’s true that few people want to read a page that’s all about sharing one’s beliefs…and I don’t think the editorial was meaning to imply that this should be the case. There are many groups in society today that seem to be seeking to push religion into the closet…and those of us who claim the mantle of the Christian faith can’t allow that to happen. THAT, to me, is the message of this piece.
By the way, I see many examples of Christian people living their Christian lives on Facebook and Myspace all of the time….but then again, I did go to a Baptist college. Many of my friends on these sites are from HPU and still proclaim their spirituality on a daily basis for all to see….yes, even on Facebook.
As if Christians have a monopoly on good works or lives, and God can’t hear a non-sectarian prayer. Your limited view of God and proper Christian expression are best kept in your Powerhouse “Christian” Center. Demonizing the ACLU and people who believe in separation of church and state is hardly loving your enemies. There is also a big difference between “praying in public” and saying a prayer at a government meeting, which according to the courts must be non-sectarian. Your paranoia should be kept at your Powerhouse “Christian” Center, too!
No, there’s nothing wrong with it, but there is nothing wrong with other faiths, either. I guess I am reading her piece through glasses already tinted by her divisive comments about allowing “pagan prayers” at City Council meetings.
She makes a point of reminding us of that issue in this piece. She wants to be able to have Christian prayers, but does not want others to be able to have prayers from their faiths.
I see very un-Christian venom in her words. Sorry.
What rock does Dr. Smith live under on Facebook that she doesn’t see people professing their faith? For fun, I went back the last five days on my homepage and counted no less than two dozen faith-related status updates from my friends. To some extent, people are more confortable posting faith-related messages because facebook is not face-to-face confrontive.
Dr. Smith, your prayer persecution complex is both amusing and annoying. I’d almost think you want to be dragged off for praying so your own “prophecy” can be fulfilled. Maybe you should spend some time in China or North Korea, so you can see what real persecution looks like.
Maybe then you wouldn’t throw such notions around so casually (he said in all seriousness).
Throw a rock into a pack of dogs, you always know which one you have hit! The poor struck creature squeals and hollers; acting so abused and mistreated. Maybe a giant mirror on the square would solve the issue; giving people the option of gathering in a public place and viewing their true god.
Christians should be engaged in all forms of media. Look at the history books and you will see time and time again the Christian right has let go of media and handed it over to the secular. For example. It used to be christians who formed the rating system for the movies. They dropped it and now the rating systems are all wacky. Technology is not evil and Christians must be engaged or we will lose a generation.
I sometimes (not always) enjoy reading the comments after I write an article. It amazes me that people who disagree with the various writers continue to read the column. In general response, I have ministered, Mr. Wardell, in places such a Mindinao, Phillipines. . . a very dangerous place for Christians indeed. I have worked beside those who were tortured for their beliefs.
In referring to the facebook article, of course there are many many Christians on facebook who DO write about their faith. My comments were more directed at Christians who do not or even seem to avoid the subject altogether.
Great dialog everyone!