tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4571775593743039867.post8068411084178057127..comments2023-07-02T06:44:59.891-07:00Comments on Coffee Talk with Leslie: Spreading the Good Word - Would Jesus Use the Internet?Leslie Anne Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05402907416806204979noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4571775593743039867.post-13172712844891999632011-01-24T23:44:52.015-08:002011-01-24T23:44:52.015-08:00Kate, I am so happy to hear of your good experienc...Kate, I am so happy to hear of your good experience with "Choosing Beauty" -- that, to me, is a great example of something shared through social media helped you to draw closer to God and the peace he wants for you. Wonderful!<br /><br />And Matthew, while it's sometimes tempting to take the "TV is the devil" and "internet is the false idol" point-of-view, I do remember a good professor rightly correcting my viewpoint in a paper I wrote on this subject in graduate school - the media themselves are neutral; and the Church asks that we use them properly to serve mankind "since they greatly contribute to men's entertainment and instruction as well as to the spread and support of the Kingdom of God" (Inter Mirifica, 2). However, "The Church recognizes, too, that men can employ these media contrary to the plan of the Creator and to their own loss." And I think you are right that Jesus' primary method of evangelization was by personal relationship and invitation -- he was certainly not a spammer! ;) <br /><br />I do think that since Jesus used all the means of social communication available to him and his people at the time, he would happily encourage us to do the same, for the glory of God and the good of man. I know that I've been built up in my faith through the internet posts of others, and now am striving to do the same for those around me in a virtual forum. <br /><br />Have you read the Vatican II decree on Social Communications? I think you'll dig it:<br /><br />http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19631204_inter-mirifica_en.html<br /><br />As always, thanks for reading and commenting. Peace!Leslie Anne Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05402907416806204979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4571775593743039867.post-30090316140170051482011-01-24T16:15:49.659-08:002011-01-24T16:15:49.659-08:00The first obvious answer is yes but I'll argue...The first obvious answer is yes but I'll argue NO - the internet is the false idols of communication. It provides an artificial sense of control to the user and drives us away from God, Christ, and his creation. At best it only interferes with a direct relationship to Christ and at worse, it sows seeds of gossip and deception about Christ and his followers. No doubt, his followers would use it to spread the word and we should too but Jesus himself- no time.<br /><br />He asked that the children be brought to him, not that his e-mail be handed out to children... Part of the experience of 'finding' Christ is 'looking' for Christ - it would 'seem' easier to locate Christ with the internet but that was never really the problem - finding Christ is the easy part - inviting him into our lives once we found him is much harder and I do not see how the internet helps in that regard...Matthewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4571775593743039867.post-72396136265815829342011-01-24T11:42:22.518-08:002011-01-24T11:42:22.518-08:00Hi Leslie. I think I was chanelling this whole bl...Hi Leslie. I think I was chanelling this whole blog thing for you. Somebody had to do it, and it certainly wasn't going to be me. Thanks for recommending the book CHOOSING BEAUTY-a 30 DAY SPIRITUAL MAKEOVER. It made me stop and look at myself in the mirror, dark circles and all, and try to look at the best of me, my hair! I also learned that I need temperence, big time! and just by asking for it, God gave me a sense of peace, and satisfaction with everything in my home. it's not exactly as I want it, but it's my home, and it really is perfect just as it is. With a grateful heart, KateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com