Internet Fellowship - Good or Bad Thing?

[Machiavelli]

Wasn't sure where to put this, but this seemed as good a place as any ...

At the moment, I'm researching for a book that I am in the process of writing. One of the issues that I'm dealing with is the neuroses that overcome us as Christians and the way in which silence demoralises us. For example, one may be stuck in a rut in their Christian walk, and because they feel ashamed to talk to others, whom they presume will judge them, they feel alone in their struggles. They soon become convinced that no legitimate Christian would struggle like this, and as such, their faith must be illegitimate.

I've seen that over these boards, people have been able to be open and honest because of their anonymity. People have been able to frankly speak about their addictions to pornography, masturbation, alcohol etc, and well as admitting times of doubt and depression. Accordingly, people have been able to receive the affirmation of their Christian brothers and sisters, knowing that they are not alone, and that many others share the same struggles. The fact that such stigmas are removed must be a positive thing.

I guess what I'm asking is this: Is internet fellowship a positive thing which has accompanied advances in technology? Are people over-reliant on it? Does it create a sense of "pseudo-fellowship" which cannot replace face to face fellowship? How may this new medium be used to effectively build up Christians without falling victim to the negative aspects of such a culture?

For what it's worth, I think that internet fellowship is fundamentally a good thing, especially to Christians to whom their church has alienated them, but it needs to be used with discernment.

Regards
Machiavelli

 

[MidKnight]

Wasn't sure where to put this, but this seemed as good a place as any ...

At the moment, I'm researching for a book that I am in the process of writing. One of the issues that I'm dealing with is the neuroses that overcome us as Christians and the way in which silence demoralises us. For example, one may be stuck in a rut in their Christian walk, and because they feel ashamed to talk to others, whom they presume will judge them, they feel alone in their struggles. They soon become convinced that no legitimate Christian would struggle like this, and as such, their faith must be illegitimate.

I've seen that over these boards, people have been able to be open and honest because of their anonymity. People have been able to frankly speak about their addictions to pornography, masturbation, alcohol etc, and well as admitting times of doubt and depression. Accordingly, people have been able to receive the affirmation of their Christian brothers and sisters, knowing that they are not alone, and that many others share the same struggles. The fact that such stigmas are removed must be a positive thing.

I guess what I'm asking is this: Is internet fellowship a positive thing which has accompanied advances in technology? Are people over-reliant on it? Does it create a sense of "pseudo-fellowship" which cannot replace face to face fellowship? How may this new medium be used to effectively build up Christians without falling victim to the negative aspects of such a culture?

For what it's worth, I think that internet fellowship is fundamentally a good thing, especially to Christians to whom their church has alienated them, but it needs to be used with discernment.

Regards
Machiavelli

I think humans will always need the stimulus of interacting with other humans.

There are certain pitfalls with this media, such as internet bingeing, that can be detrimental to health of body and mind.

As with most things...reflection, assessment and moderation is key (is that what you mean by "discernment"?)

In any event, good luck with the book.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I guess what I'm asking is this: Is internet fellowship a positive thing which has accompanied advances in technology? Are people over-reliant on it? Does it create a sense of "pseudo-fellowship" which cannot replace face to face fellowship? How may this new medium be used to effectively build up Christians without falling victim to the negative aspects of such a culture?

While I'm not a Christian, I am part of another fellowship (the Fellowship of Reason), and I think that one tool need not replace another. It better to have both (RL and Internet fellowships) in your arsenal, to be used when they can for best effect.

 

[cygnusx1]

All fellowship is good , new ideas are great.....communicating with people from America , Canada ,Europe , Africa , etc with an almost immediate response , this IS communication.....fantastic!!!


Who would have believed it even 50 years ago....? Perhaps just a handful of visionaries.

 

[Evee]

I love this board and the internet friendships.
I however never meet anyone outside of the net.
I guess I better take that back.
I do have a couple of friends I may meet at Mcdonalds soon.

I did meet a couple of people and decided it would be best to use p.m's.
I believe we should use discernment also.

 

[Ave Maria]

I think Internet fellowship is definitely a good thing. But it shouldn't replace real life fellowship.

 

[Carico]

I interact with people more off the net than on. I'm involved in quite a few fund-raising and volunteer activities. I witness online, esprecially at forums such as these because it's a place where I can access the greatest number of people. As far as being judged, i get much, much more judgment online than i do in everyday life. I really do see what Jesus meant when he said we will be persecuted because of him. Passing along his love and forgiveness has gotten me more snide and negatvie comments than anything else I've done in life. On the other hand, when I don't care about people's souls and let them think whatever they want, i am greatly liked and appreciated. I used to want to be liked more than I cared about people's souls, but now it's the other way around.


I don't use the internet to tell people things i don't tell people in person. In fact, it's the opposite for me. If i say something personal on the inertnet, I am shot down for it. But if I'm discering about to whom i say what, I always reaps the rewards.

 

[Acquired Tastes]

I think Internet fellowship is a great thing. You can witness to people all over the world you would probably never meet otherwise. Also, it's just easier for some people, such as myself, who are very shy in real life. It's a lot easier for me to open up and talk about my faith online than it is in real life.

 

[Lifesaver]

I think an Internet place where Christians can openly discuss matters pertaining to our religion is a great thing.
An Internet community can in no way replace a real life community; members will never know each other as much as people who live their regular lives together will.
However, given the secularism of the world we live in, there are sadly few occasions for open talk on the subject, and though not perfect, the Internet offers one remedy.

 

[Glaz]

Any fellowship is a good thing I think. Great thing about the internet, its gives the opportunity to fellowship with people from around the world, not just those in my church or in my town.

 

[The Midge]

I would not call this fellowship as such. We can hide too much of ourselves, pretend we are more holy than we are, that we have no problems, that we are more assured than we really are etc. Much of this comes out when we are face to face. Real fellowship happens when we have open and honest realtionships with each other warts and all. Of course it is also possible to put a mask on for a few hours on Sunday or at house group meetings.

The Web can provide a useful extension to the church, especially those who are house bound, are in remote situations like countries hostile to a faith or send a lot of time away from home. I don't think it can be a substitute.

I do believe that places such as these can be a great way to encounter those of other faiths and none.
/me waves to all those wonderful non-christians reading this.
That is because it is an excellent medium for discusson and debate. (Sometimes with more heat than light).

The Diocese of Oxford is in the process of starting a Web based church ( www.i-church.org ) Although getting information out of them is kind of tricky. I note that the dedication service and official launch has just happend! The Vicar used to be in this which I located on Google http://www.webchurch.org/ .

However I think a genuine Christian exeprience isnot possible without meeting genuine Christians. On the face of it this is unfortunate but I supose that God knows what he is doing!

 

[cygnusx1]

I would not call this fellowship as such. We can hide too much of ourselves, pretend we are more holy than we are, that we have no problems, that we are more assured than we really are etc. Much of this comes out when we are face to face. Real fellowship happens when we have open and honest realtionships with each other warts and all. Of course it is also possible to put a mask on for a few hours on Sunday or at house group meetings.

The Web can provide a useful extension to the church, especially those who are house bound, are in remote situations like countries hostile to a faith or send a lot of time away from home. I don't think it can be a substitute.

I do believe that places such as these can be a great way to encounter those of other faiths and none.
* The Midge waves to all those wonderful non-christians reading this.
That is because it is an excellent medium for discusson and debate. (Sometimes with more heat than light).

The Diocese of Oxford is in the process of starting a Web based church ( www.i-church.org ) Although getting information out of them is kind of tricky. I note that the dedication service and official launch has just happend! The Vicar used to be in this which I located on Google http://www.webchurch.org/ .

However I think a genuine Christian exeprience isnot possible without meeting genuine Christians. On the face of it this is unfortunate but I supose that God knows what he is doing!

Perhaps we can agree that there is such a thing as Spiritual fellowship and ordinary fellowship/friendship...........I like both!!

Am I being greedy ?

 

[Evee]

Perhaps we can agree that there is such a thing as Spiritual fellowship and ordinary fellowship/friendship...........I like both!!

Am I being greedy ?

I am into ordinary everday relationships like where would you like to eat and talk of interest outside of religion.
This can come later if it gets to later.
I have met a few people that is close by and some are not always what they seem.
I am sure they may feel the same about me.
I try and get my husband to go but he has no interest.
I like a relationship with no pressure and pm.s is fine in most cases.

 

[Henry Ross]

I have a couple friends from other boards but I have no desire to communicate in most cases.

My wife would not like if I had to close relationships with others on the net.
Too time consuming.

 

[The Midge]

Perhaps we can agree that there is such a thing as Spiritual fellowship and ordinary fellowship/friendship...........I like both!!

Am I being greedy ?

Have a second helping cygnusx1 !!!