This is a thoughtful article on how we should use, or not use, Facebook and other social networking tools. If you do such things, this is a must (should) read!
Redeeming Social Life Online
By Justin Buzzard · 12.11
How many of our lives and relationships would radically change if we didn’t have a cell phone, email, and access to the Internet? How many of us are unable to be fully present with the people we’re with, because we’re distracted by our cell phones, iPods, Blackberries, or iPhones?
Over the last few decades, we’ve experienced greater technological development than in any previous generation. These technologies have radically affected how we participate in community, how we operate as families, and how we work.
Technology is usually created with the intention of making life better. However, it always carries the possibility of blessing or curse because it exists as a tool used by fallen people in a fallen world. If we use tools without understanding their power, we stand a good chance of harming others or failing to exploit the tremendous good they can do.
Enter Facebook.
Like most other new things, Christians tend to either embrace Facebook uncritically, or retreat from it and condemn its use. Embracing technology uncritically—the “bear hug,” as I call it—means using a technology without thinking through its impact on yourself and others. The “cold shoulder”—ignoring/retreating from/condemning a technology—is often driven by misguided fears and shallow biblical interpretation. While the problems with embracing uncritically are more easily discerned, giving a technology like Facebook the cold shoulder also has its problems.
Read the rest of the article here.
Blessings
Bill H
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