As a Christian who maintains a regular blog and teaches teenagers, I shuddered a bit when I read Kevin Denee’s article, Blogs - and God's Youth. It reminded me a great deal of the old-school tracts that assert the inherent evil of movie going, dancing, and drinking. I do not question that Denee is well meaning; however, I find his tone condescending and his argument flawed.
Denee concludes that, “Because of the obvious dangers; the clear biblical principles that apply; the fact that it gives one a voice; that it is almost always idle words; that teens often do not think before they do; that it is acting out of boredom and it is filled with appearances of evil - blogging is simply not to be done in the Church.”
He adds, "Let me emphasize that no one — including adults — should have a blog or a personal website (unless it is for legitimate business purposes)."
Denee bases this assertion on his examination of eight dangers of blogging.
The Obvious Dangers
He begins his argument by addressing obvious dangers to blogging - sexual predators, lack of parental oversight, and indecent content. (Note: Denee treats weblogs and social networking pages synonymously.) Denee notes that many teens make themselves more susceptible to sexual predators by providing personal information on their sites.
He's right, but posting personal information on a site demonstrates someone's foolishness, not an element of evil inherent in blogging. As for the other two dangers, certainly anyone that has so much as an email account is all too aware of the glut of sexual content on the Internet.
A good firewall mitigates some of the problem and parents actually paying attention to what their kids are doing would help even more. The fault of a parent is not a sign of evil in the medium.
An Era Grows a "Voice"
I don't agree with Denee's interpretation of the seven churches mentioned at the beginning of Revelation, but the crux of his argument on this matter is that blogging "makes the blogger feel good or makes him feel as if his opinion counts - when it is mostly mindless blather!"
He goes on to assert that teen blogging does not have the capacity to positively affect society because it is puerile. I'm sure Denee would agree that since God is the Creator and He created humans in His image, people have a desire to create - literature, music, art, architecture, photography, carpentry, etc.
To suggest a teen's emotional musings are entirely void of substance is akin to telling a toddler his crayon drawing is rubbish. I'm not suggesting all written expression has technical or aesthetic merit; I've graded my share of horrendous compositions in my seven years of teaching. Furthermore, I'm not suggesting an expression of one's feelings serves as valid argument. However, writing, just as playing an instrument, playing a sport, or learning any activity, requires practice.
Article comments
1 - Brother Ed
Thank you for your thoughtful post! As a pastor who also blogs I agree with your observations. I tried to read Denee's article, but I confess I gave up before I got all the way through. I'm not sure where he got his bizarre interpretation of Revelation 2 and 3. For me, the bottom line is this: where is a Christian voice more needed than in the blogosphere? With institutional Christianity having pretty much abandoned the culture of youth (with a few worthy exceptions), it has never been more important to share the Christian message through cyberspace. Blessings!
2 - Donnie Marler
Well done, Jason.
3 - Jason Middlekauff
Thanks, Brother Ed and Donnie. I agree with you Brother Ed. It's a medium that can be used to be a light to the world.
4 - Christopher Rose
Given that Christianity is just one in a long line of goofy superstitions, I rather think it would be a good , albeit unlikely, thing for the human spirit to keep it off the internet.
5 - Jared White
Very few things in this world are inherently sinful. His article does sound similar to other misguided views such as alcohol, music, sex, etc. are evil. Paul has a saying: "to the pure, all things are pure." If we live with a striving in our hearts to follow Jesus and His ways, in holiness and purity, we will know the proper way to conduct ourselves in the world. We may drink, but not get drunk. We may make music and dance, but not lose our manners. We may have sex, but only in a sanctified marriage. We may blog, but only say that which is important and edifying.
God bless you! Jared
6 - WahooRob
First of all, Denee writes from the seat of the "Restored" Church of God. A little research shows this church is a small offshoot of Herbert W. Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God. The beliefs of this tiny little group are easy to track down and don't line up with Biblical Christianity. Conclusion: only the Internet could grant the small amount of credibility given Denee's message.
Of course, there will ALWAYS be folks who think that ANY faith is a goofy superstition. They are welcome to their own goofy faith in themselves.
7 - duane
Wahoo guy says:
Of course, there will ALWAYS be folks who think that ANY faith is a goofy superstition.
I admire that kind of optimism. I hope you're right.
8 - chantal
I'm sick of so-called Christians using the Bible and religion to try to control people by saying what they can and can't do. The point of Christianity is to spread love, and to win souls for the kingdon of God. By always telling people that every little thing they do is sinful, is just scaring people away or putting them off religion and church altogether.
Jason...fantastic article.
9 - Christopher Rose
WahooRob: It doesn't follow that to state that any faith based belief system is goofy in any way equates to a goofy faith in themselves. It is quite possible not to belief in creation myths and superstition yet still retain a sense of reverence and spirituality...
10 - Jason Middlekauff
Well, I'm pleased that my article has provoked so many responses. However, I'd like to encourage anyone who responds to keep his/her response focused on Denee's article or my response and not to make assumptions and/or quips about the greater scope of another poster's spiritual beliefs.
11 - duane
Ha! Good one, Jason.
Hmmm ... wait a sec ....
You are joking, right?
12 - gonzo marx
Jason..a most excellent Read...
/golfclap
this coming from BC's resident apostate and heretic, take it for what it's Worth
as for this person's assertation on inherent evil...
it reminds me of the Church's fighting against the Bible being translated from the Latin into local languages, as well as the resistence to Gutenberg providing anyone who wants it with the means to read other's Work and learn for themselves...
in all the cases mentioned, i perceive an Authoritarian dogmatist seeking to maintain control, rather than nurturing the Individual's growth and Learning...
"good" and "evil" are in an Individual's actions, not inherent in some medium or style of expression or communication...
some just refuse to Accept that, and are quite clever at quoting authoritarian sources out of Context to cudgel those who would Question in order to Grow
i look forward to reading your next Article
Excelsior?
13 - Jason Middlekauff
Duane, my response was directed mainly to WahooRob and Christopher. A comment box is not a sufficient forum for them to thoroughly articulate a defense for what either of them believes or to gain a reasonable understanding of what the other believes. I think dialogue on spiritual matters is important, but I don't think making terse quips about another person's post is dialogue.
14 - Mary K. Williams
Great Article Jason - I told you I'd stop by. Here's my "I agree!".
Denee's article is so similiar to a website I just found regarding Godspell. The assertion there is that the play is blasphemous and unGodly.
Since I'm right smack in the middle of rehearsals for this production - it made me particularly aggrevated.
One thing though, unless comments are personal attacks or otherwise nasty, you really can't control what people say, or request that they only disucss the main topic of your article. That's a big part of BC, the dialogue in the commentary - no matter where it ends up.
Keep up the good work Jason!
15 - Jason Middlekauff
Thanks, Mary. I should've phrased response #10 better. I want open dialogue. I just hope folks provide support for their arguments.
16 - Iloz Zoc
Blogging gives voices to people who normally wouldn't speak. It gives meaning to the words "We the People" and provides more positive outlets for young people facing the pressures of our age. And us older people, too.
It is sad to think that some people saddle their every thought, action, and word with a need for godly guidance and supplication. While I believe a spiritual life is important, blind obedience to the collective rituals of religious dogma is stifling to personal spiritual growth.
Blogging fosters self-importance and self-reflection--things that all religions do not, unless it's in the service of that religion's precepts and god.
Long live the blogger!
17 - gonzo marx
Illoz sez...
*Blogging gives voices to people who normally wouldn't speak. It gives meaning to the words "We the People" and provides more positive outlets for young people facing the pressures of our age. And us older people, too.*
Quoted for Truth
Excelsior?
18 - Jason Middlekauff
I concur, Iloz Zoc.
19 - Jason Middlekauff
Well, with the first two paragraphs