Being photographed at church

[GodLovesCats]

But Privacy legislation in my country says that information received about a person has to be kept with that person's permission and has to be used for the purpose in which the person has authorised it. Breaches of the legislation can cause a offender to end up in court and possibly a prison sentence.

I saw on Facebook where someone in a particular city was videoing on the street and the police stopped him and informed him that it was a city ordinance that one could not video on the street without a formal permit.

That looks too strict to me. What if you want to take a picture of a pretty bhilding zoomed in so that none of the people are in your viewer? I do that a lot on vacations both in North America and Europe.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

That looks too strict to me. What if you want to take a picture of a pretty bhilding zoomed in so that none of the people are in your viewer? I do that a lot on vacations both in North America and Europe.

I agree that having a city ordinance that one cannot take pictures within the city limits without a special permit is a bit over the top, but there are cities in the US that have that ordinance. Perhaps it is because of the terrorist threat these days.

It is worthy to note that just before Pearl Harbour, there were are a number of Jap tourists taking pictures of all around the harbour, and it was found out that those photos were used by the Jap intelligence to locate exactly where to find the battleships to destroy.

 

[GodLovesCats]

We could go on about this in a politics section (not this thread, obviously) but the biggest problem here is security cameras. People who never commit crimes where they are hate them.

 

[LoricaLady]

I really don't know where this thread should go so I took a guess that this may be the closest one (admins, please feel free to move it appropriately).

Does it make me sound unfriendly if I ask not to be photographed at church (for social media purposes)?

Do churches have the right to randomly photograph people or post their photos on the social media without their consent?

It almost makes me not want to go when my worshipping or praying could get photographed and end up in a public social media. I know some of you think, what's a big deal, but it's really a matter of personal preference.

I agree that people should not be posting anything whatsoever about you online, unless you have given permission for that. It is an invasion of privacy otherwise. I would certainly request that you be alerted if any pictures are being taken that could later be posted online.

 

[Nickybobby]

I agree that having a city ordinance that one cannot take pictures within the city limits without a special permit is a bit over the top, but there are cities in the US that have that ordinance. Perhaps it is because of the terrorist threat these days.

It is worthy to note that just before Pearl Harbour, there were are a number of Jap tourists taking pictures of all around the harbour, and it was found out that those photos were used by the Jap intelligence to locate exactly where to find the battleships to destroy.

Actually, in the US, there is no expectation of privacy in public..taking photos of anything or anyone while you are in a publicly accessible location is allowed regardless of any city ordinance.

 

[DamianWarS]

Quite frankly I think the church should be concerned only in preaching Gods word and worshipping Him alone.

I personally see no need for this to be happening and would not go along with it.

For social media posting?? Yet another example of the church being worldly.

So what of media presentations, televised events, websites, brochures/flyers etc. These are only platforms to spread information and they inherently are neither good or evil. Social media is no different and we can give glory to God and use these mediums at the same time. To ignore them and call them "of the world" means we are ignoring the mission that those platforms can reach. Participation in FB is not the morality issue but rather the conduct within the participation. So to bring it back to the OP let's not stop these platforms but rather conduct ourselves with these platforms in ways that give glory to God and respect each other. Sounds like the first 2 greatest commandments Jesus spoke of.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I really don't know where this thread should go so I took a guess that this may be the closest one (admins, please feel free to move it appropriately).

Does it make me sound unfriendly if I ask not to be photographed at church (for social media purposes)?

Do churches have the right to randomly photograph people or post their photos on the social media without their consent?

It almost makes me not want to go when my worshipping or praying could get photographed and end up in a public social media. I know some of you think, what's a big deal, but it's really a matter of personal preference.

All the more reason to do house fellowship (IMO).
The early church gathered in each others homes.
But folks today think we must have fellowship in a big building.

 

[Heavenhome]

So what of media presentations, televised events, websites, brochures/flyers etc. These are only platforms to spread information and they inherently are neither good or evil. Social media is no different and we can give glory to God and use these mediums at the same time. To ignore them and call them "of the world" means we are ignoring the mission that those platforms can reach. Participation in FB is not the morality issue but rather the conduct within the participation. So to bring it back to the OP let's not stop these platforms but rather conduct ourselves with these platforms in ways that give glory to God and respect each other. Sounds like the first 2 greatest commandments Jesus spoke of.

I gave my opinion, just mine and stand by it.

I don't expect media of any kind to be part of my worship experience at Church.
CHURCH.

 

[DamianWarS]

I gave my opinion, just mine and stand by it.

I don't expect media of any kind to be part of my worship experience at Church.
CHURCH.

not expecting it and saying they are too worldly are two different things. I can appreciate the former but not the latter.

 

[Heavenhome]

We have differing opinions and that's OK, let's leave it at that.
God bless you.

 

[Pedra]

I really don't know where this thread should go so I took a guess that this may be the closest one (admins, please feel free to move it appropriately).

Does it make me sound unfriendly if I ask not to be photographed at church (for social media purposes)?

Do churches have the right to randomly photograph people or post their photos on the social media without their consent?

It almost makes me not want to go when my worshipping or praying could get photographed and end up in a public social media. I know some of you think, what's a big deal, but it's really a matter of personal preference.

It is your right to say No , and you shouldn't feel funny about it. The Church has no right to do that without the consent of the person.

 

[parousia70]

As others have mentioned already, there is no expectation of Privacy in public.. Every street corner has cameras on buildings recording you as you walk by, in the bank you are on video from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave... the post office, police station, Library, and yes, Church.

People have no right to demand not to be photographed in a public setting, Period.
The 1st amendment of the Constitution of the United States (the same amendment that guarantees us the right to worship however we see fit) guarantees each of us the right to video record or photograph ANYTHING or ANYONE we can see with our eyes from a Public Space.

If you want privacy you can stay home, close the curtains and give yourself a big, comforting Hug knowing that no one can see or record you.

 

[ChicanaRose]

As others have mentioned already, there is no expectation of Privacy in public.. Every street corner has cameras on buildings recording you as you walk by, in the bank you are on video from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave... the post office, police station, Library, and yes, Church.

People have no right to demand not to be photographed in a public setting, Period.
The 1st amendment of the Constitution of the United States (the same amendment that guarantees us the right to worship however we see fit) guarantees each of us the right to video record or photograph ANYTHING or ANYONE we can see with our eyes from a Public Space.

If you want privacy you can stay home, close the curtains and give yourself a big, comforting Hug knowing that no one can see or record you.

I guess there are two issues here:

1. Being photographed/ recorded
and
2. Having those published on social media

If I cannot prevent the first, I still have a right to prevent the second, correct?

 

[parousia70]

It is your right to say No , and you shouldn't feel funny about it. The Church has no right to do that without the consent of the person.

That's just false.

That's like saying the Bank has no right to record you when you walk through their door without your consent.

Preposterous.

 

[parousia70]

I guess there are two issues here:

1. Being photographed/ recorded
and
2. Having those published on social media

If I cannot prevent the first, I still have a right to prevent the second, correct?

No.
Think Paparazzi.

Don't you think if celebrities had the RIGHT to prevent the Paparazzi from:
a) Filming them in public
and
B) Publishing the content

That they would?

Its the 1st Amendment "Freedom of the Press" guarantee to all citizenry.
That's what covers BOTH the right to record and the Right to Publish the content.

Only a constitutional Amendment to repeal the 1st amendment would get you the relief you are seeking.

Be careful what you wish for....

 

[ChicanaRose]

No.
Think Paparazzi.

Don't you think if celebrities had the RIGHT to prevent the Paparazzi from:
a) filming them in public
and
B) Publishing the content

That they would?

You've got a point there. Let me think about this.

 

[parousia70]

When I grew up, anytime we used to see someone with a video camera we rushed to get in front of it and shout "Hi Mom!"

Now we live in a dichotomous society where, on one hand, everyone has a video camera in their pocket, on their dashboard, on their houses, on the walls of their places of business, and loves to take pictures and video of everything, everywhere they go, and of everyone who crosses their path, while on the other hand, that same "everybody" is also apparently scared to death of being on camera...(even though that fear is completely irrational and selectively applied... I've seen a grand total of ZERO Threads here where people are complaining about the violation they feel being on camera when the walk into the Bank, or the post office, or a police station, or Walmart, etc...They seem to have no issue with that at all)

Think for a minute about every time you've driven anywhere... even a quick trip to the "quick-trip", you will inevitably cross the path of another driver's dash cam without even knowing... and they will record your face, your license plate, type of car you drive, etc... and can (and often do) post it to youtube and you'd never be the wiser...

Knowing this is the reality for all drivers every day, do you simply give up driving because the fear of being recorded and having your likeness and license plate published is so devastatingly paralyzing to your fragile psyche? (maybe you do... everyone has the option, indeed the constitutional right, to stay inside their homes and never leave, if they in fact do desire 24/7 privacy)

Friends, we can't have it both ways...and since nobody is going to give up their cellphones or GoPro's, we need to stop being snowflakes and let go of the fear of people exercising their constitutional right to record things and people in public, or, on & from their own property.

We would do well to get back to that "Hi Mom!" mentality that was once an integral part of the social norm of this great nation.... it would save a lot of people from the grief and fear that seems to now grip them daily.

Just pretend everywhere you go, every day, that you are in the audience outside the Today Show, clamoring for the camera to turn your way.
You'll live a much happier life.

 

[ChicanaRose]

When I grew up, anytime we used to see someone with a video camera we rushed to get in front of it and shout "Hi Mom!"

Now we live in a dichotomous society where, on one hand, everyone has a video camera in their pocket, on their dashboard, on their houses, on the walls of their places of business, and loves to take pictures and video of everything, everywhere they go, and of everyone who crosses their path, while on the other hand, that same "everybody" is also apparently scared to death of being on camera...(even though that fear is completely irrational and selectively applied... I've seen a grand total of ZERO Threads here where people are complaining about the violation they feel being on camera when the walk into the Bank, or the post office, or a police station, or Walmart, etc...They seem to have no issue with that at all)

Think for a minute about every time you've driven anywhere... even a quick trip to the "quick-trip", you will inevitably cross the path of another driver's dash cam without even knowing... and they will record your face, your license plate, type of car you drive, etc... and can (and often do) post it to youtube and you'd never be the wiser...

Knowing this is the reality for all drivers every day, do you simply give up driving because the fear of being recorded and having your likeness and license plate published is so devastatingly paralyzing to your fragile psyche? (maybe you do... everyone has the option, indeed the constitutional right, to stay inside their homes and never leave, if they in fact do desire 24/7 privacy)

Friends, we can't have it both ways...and since nobody is going to give up their cellphones or GoPro's, we need to stop being snowflakes and let go of the fear of people exercising their constitutional right to record things and people in public, or, on & from their own property.

We would do well to get back to that "Hi Mom!" mentality that was once an integral part of the social norm of this great nation.... it would save a lot of people from the grief and fear that seems to now grip them daily.

Just pretend everywhere you go, every day, that you are in the audience outside the Today Show, clamoring for the camera to turn your way.
You'll live a much happier life.

Again, you've got a point there. But there are also folks who misuse your photos on social media. @mina also brought up an important point about safety. There are both sides to this issue, pros (convenience of smart phones) and cons (as mentioned in this thread).

 

[mina]

I think there is also a difference in public and private use. Banks and other security footage is not all broadcast online for public viewing (unless you are missing or have done something wrong). It is a very different situation when a place issues your image as part of their promotional material on social media . Schools have parents sign media usage contracts for use of student images in publications and social media; workplaces often do the same for employees . Churches should be willing to do the same. At the very least with regards to kids. There are some parents who don't want their image out there b/c they don't want in laws or abusive/violent ex s to know where they are or their routines.

 

[parousia70]

I think there is also a difference in public and private use. Banks and other security footage is not all broadcast online for public viewing (unless you are missing or have done something wrong). It is a very different situation when a place issues your image as part of their promotional material on social media . Schools have parents sign media usage contracts for use of student images in publications and social media; workplaces often do the same for employees . Churches should be willing to do the same. At the very least with regards to kids.

Freedom is sticky sometimes.
If you go into the police station to file a police report you are on camera that that footage becomes public information requestable by anyone under FOIA laws.

Same with Police Dashcam footage, as well as city owned street cameras.

Being out in public affords you ZERO expectation of privacy... plenty of case law as well as the constitution that affirms this.

If you support the 2nd amendment, you should likewise support the one that came before it.
There is a reason the 1st amendment is FIRST.​

There are some parents who don't want their image out there b/c they don't want in laws or abusive/violent ex s to know where they are or their routines.

There are plenty of things I don't want but I don't have a right to demand...
Is everybody supposed to get whatever they want now just because they're afraid of what might happen if they don't??

Besides, That's what restraining orders are for.