Christians and the internet?

this email was shared with me through a friend and has been on my mind sense I read it. I don't know how I am going to respond to this email yet but I will tell you that it has really been on my heart and caused me to really be in prayer. It is to easy to get caught up in these kinds of internet friendships/relationships, I know many who do substitute them for real life?

Any thoughts??
rdg
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"I love my computer because my friends live in it.—Selected.
"As a personal note, I might add: I love my computer because my congregation lives in it!"
-Religious Author

[These quotes are a very disappointing commentary on how shallow and empty our world has become..... It is truly pathetic how many would easily adopt the above slogans without any shame or conscience regarding the near-uselessness of such "friendships" and "congregations." "Social networking" creates a falsified adrenaline rush between so many bag-over-the-head-frauds and liars, and hypocrites, often preying on those who are sincere but alone. Proof could be easily provided about the leadership and participation of every kind of predator and pretender imaginable -- who are daily and vigorously involved in "christian" internet clubs and "rooms" and "walls" and "tweets" and forums. Truth be known, any pagan would be appalled at their "real life" and habits, language, abuse of spouses, and dark vices. When someone's eyes are opened to see the quality of life JESUS intends, such counterfeits of "internet relationships" and "congregations" are laughable (as well as infuriating) as to what satan has done to "dumb down" christians to such a shallow level in accepting this as what Jesus died and rose to bring to this Earth in His Bride in daily REAL vulnerable, sacrificial lives. Picture Jesus with the Twelve, or Acts 2-6, and accept nothing less! "A hundred mothers, brothers, and sisters!" for all who have given up all for Him. JESUS said so. You'll be hated for expecting and risking for what JESUS said, but He promised that, too.]

When someone's eyes are opened to see the quality of life JESUS intends, such counterfeits of "internet relationships" and "congregations" are laughable (as well as infuriating) as to what satan has done to "dumb down" christians to such a shallow level in accepting this as what Jesus died and rose to bring to this Earth in His Bride in daily REAL vulnerable, sacrificial lives. Picture Jesus with the Twelve, or Acts 2-6, and accept nothing less!

While it is very true that counterfeit relationships abound on the internet . . . they also abound in church houses, and person to person meetings. In fact, probably the reason that many people are looking for and finding GREAT fellowships on the internet is because they have been hurt so many times by fake people in church houses. Internet friendships can allow for distance and protection when needed, but as has happened with sermonindex, they can end up turning into public gatherings (revival conferences).

When Paul was incarcerated, he carried out his relationships in a similar way to internet relationships, only much slower. He wrote and wrote and wrote. Actually relationships that are in writing are often much more binding because they can’t be erased! Spoken relationships leave room for denial.

“Picture Jesus and the Twelve” also riding down the road in separate automobiles. The automobile has severely crippled the social life of the church. Back when crowds walked to church they sang and testified all the way there.

Deuteronomy 11:19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

We don’t do any “walking by the way” in our country any more. We also listen to recorded music and sermons. They are not “in person” and are in reality not quite as effective as those delivered “in person”, but I’ve heard many stories of people getting converted because of such modern things as cassette tapes, PRINTED Gospel tracts . . . etc.

How many of us are willing to give up ALL of our modern world things in order to get back to the way things were in Bible times?

Could it be that the source of the complaint against internet relationships is a clergyman who didn’t get to buy his wife the Lincoln Continental that she wanted last year because so many of his members are settling for “shallow” internet fellowships?

I am NOT against 2 or 3, 120, or 5,000 gathering “with one accord in one place”. In such an atmosphere the Lord can move gloriously and work mightily. Neither am I against writing letters as Paul did . . . whether it’s electronic or with pen and paper.

I might add that any relationship that substitutes our time with God can destroy us whether it's on the internet or in person.

Before internet and phones came around, "the town gossip" went from house to house with tons of verbage while she should have been on her knees crying out to God. The same can happen with us. If we can't cut off the phone, and shut down the computer, and get in contact with heaven, we are in trouble!

Lordoitagain wrote:"Could it be that the source of the complaint against internet relationships is a clergyman who didn’t get to buy his wife the Lincoln Continental that she wanted last year because so many of his members are settling for “shallow” internet fellowships?"
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Wow that was harsh don't you think and completely not who the person who wrote this email is.
Way to jump to a conclusion about a person just because you do not agree with them... I am not saying I agree with all that was written in the email, but I will say that it is easy to fall into the traps of substituting internet relationships instead of meeting with others face to face. I know that there are those that have met brothers and sisters via the internet and developed really great friendships and relationships that cause one another to grow. I also know of some who live online, who never really bother with caring for or loving others in the Lord unless it is online. They stay hidden behind walls because of fear or countless other reasons. I guess for me that is why this email has really been making me think about my own time spent online. Just something that I am seeking the Lord on. I want to be careful not to be so caught up with online stuff that I forget to go out into the world to share the Lord with others face to face!

I did ask for everyone's thoughts, so thank you for sharing, I just didn't think you needed to throw that last part in there about the writer of the emails supposed motivation for writing it.
rdg

I'm sorry if it sounded harsh. I wasn't trying to jump to a conclusion . . . that's why I have a question mark behind it, instead of making an outright accusation. However, lately I have been so apalled by preditors who carry on a GREAT appearance of love and concern in person, but when facing reality about their leaching "spiritual" lives . . . they are using other sincere people in churches just to live on a higher level than the rest. Few are are willing to suffer that others might not have to suffer. Few live the poverty stricken examples that Jesus and the apostles did.

I'm sorry if it sounded harsh.

Sincerely,

Brother Michael

Michael

Thanks for your last post, I appreciate that you took the time to apologies, and just wanted to say its all good, no hurt feelings here.

Hope you have a good evening
rdg