What’s the place of religion on the internet, and the significance of the internet for religion? Pope Benedict comes back to these themes in his latest document Verbum Domini about the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church.
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He encourages Catholics to make serious efforts to be more present in the world of the mass media. But he also warns that virtual relationships will only become meaningful if they are a means to some kind of personal contact between those using them.
Here are the relevant paragraphs.
Linked to the relationship between the word of God and culture is the need for a careful and intelligent use of the communications media, both old and new. The Synod Fathers called for a proper knowledge of these media; they noted their rapid development and different levels of interaction, and asked for greater efforts to be made in gaining expertise in the various sectors involved, particularly in the new media, such as the internet.
The Church already has a significant presence in the world of mass communications, and her magisterium has frequently intervened on the subject, beginning with the Second Vatican Council.[360] Discovering new methods of transmitting the Gospel message is part of the continuing evangelizing outreach of those who believe. Communications today take place through a worldwide network, and thus give new meaning to Christ’s words: “What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops” (Mt 10:27).
God’s word should resound not only in the print media, but in other forms of communication as well.[361] For this reason, together with the Synod Fathers, I express gratitude to those Catholics who are making serious efforts to promote a significant presence in the world of the media, and I ask for an ever wider and more qualified commitment in this regard.[362]
Among the new forms of mass communication, nowadays we need to recognize the increased role of the internet, which represents a new forum for making the Gospel heard. Yet we also need to be aware that the virtual world will never be able to replace the real world, and that evangelization will be able to make use of the virtual world offered by the new media in order to create meaningful relationships only if it is able to offer the personal contact which remains indispensable.
In the world of the internet, which enables billions of images to appear on millions of screens throughout the world, the face of Christ needs to be seen and his voice heard, for “if there is no room for Christ, there is no room for man”.[363]
Very wise words from the Holy Father. It is so true that the internet has opened up a vast virtual world for people and, indeed, it is one which the Catholic Church should be using to bring the message of Christ to those who may be seeking as well as believers who need inspiration.
I particularly like the Pope’s statement that the virtual world cannot replace the real world. So Many people I meet may be said to ‘live’ in the virtual world of the internet for reasons which I don’t have space to go into here. By bringing Christ’s message to more people in this virtual world, perhaps the Church might help more of them to engage not only with the Church but, also, with other aspects of the ‘real’ world.
What’s the place of religion on the internet, and the significance of the internet for religion?
Personally for me it is one of dialogue, safe and intelligent interaction, discovery and expression. The church I belong to is a very special and sacred place and it is one of evening Mass, morning Mass and of prayer. It is also one of organizing money raisers and charity, and one of Love.
But I need dialogue and conversation and study and debate and expression, I need somewhere where I can explore and come to an understanding of Truth, a Truth which is not stifled by someone else’s final knowledge (which can put a cap on the limits of the Truth to which we can come to) I can not just accept everything because it is a given, I have to come to my own understanding based on my own experience and awareness of the world around me.
I have many blessings in my life. I have many frustrations in my life. Discovering Catholicism in my late 30’s when much of my life had already been carved out, means that in order to pass on a spiritual and moral faith for my children to use and encourage them in their future vocations, I need to believe and understand and feel sure about what I am passing on to them.
I need also to be a voice that can influence positive future change, in the parts of church teachings that I do not agree with. For instance I believe that celibacy should not be compulsory and this ultimately will determine how much I encourage my sons towards a vocation in the priesthood. (A great shame as I think one day they may make wonderful priests) But my personal human values and experience of longing and desire for a balanced, sharing, understanding, compassionate, loving union with another God chosen human being means I believe that God wants us to be able to have this choice, if and when this great mystery presents itself to us. I have learnt the hard way, I can not encourage my children down a path which would deny my children this God given and blessed privilege.
This has been a momentous 2 years for me in my faith journey. Many times this year out of pure frustration and sacred exclusion I could have walked away, but the Love and unyielding support of my church family and the fact that I can offer my children a life which I wasn’t privileged enough to be educated in before I made my choices, and the fact that I could come here and exchanged dialogue and express my frustration and views with others has been a God send.
The internet for many allows for that public dialogue and discovery to take place. Age 38 seems to be the cut off point for young peoples retreat and deeper discussions. And unless you are in the R.C.I.A group (which I have already completed), or a uni student then without these internet sites I would possibly have sadly come to a frustrating dead end. And just gone it again alone with the Big One himself. Instead I and my faith in Catholicism is stronger than ever and as a result my many children and one day their families will continue to be an authentic and beautiful and integral part of your flock.
And that why religion on the internet is so important to me! x