Thursday, October 26, 2006
Blogging, an art?
Wasn't aware there was a technique to blogging. Found some tips for writing better blogs.
Another one bites the DOOCE...
A former employee for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has been dooced. The person admitted to blogging about Foley’s inappropriate emails to a former page on their website. Although the scandal was already leaked to the media, the blog was the first publication to be put in a public forum.
HRC’s Vice President David Smith will not reveal the identity of the individual (we’ll just refer him as Mr. Dooce), but he did say that Mr. Dooce used the group’s campaign resources inappropriately, and thus was fired for it.
HRC, the well known gay rights group, is a strong supporter for Democratic candidates. Critics argue that Mr. Dooce may have blogged the Foley emails in attempts to drive support for the Democratic Party nearing election time.
However, HRC maintains that they did not know of the blog prior to the publication. “The Human Rights Campaign,” says Smith “believes in being very aboveboard in our political activity.”
What is being overlooked here is the Foley scandal itself. The issue of a man, being of superior position, making advances toward subordinate young pages is taking a back burner to politics. Once again, this drama queen (politics) steals the thunder, and Mr. Dooce is the one paying for it.
My sympathies goes out to Mr. Dooce. You have done a good thing by exposing Foley for what he really is.
HRC’s Vice President David Smith will not reveal the identity of the individual (we’ll just refer him as Mr. Dooce), but he did say that Mr. Dooce used the group’s campaign resources inappropriately, and thus was fired for it.
HRC, the well known gay rights group, is a strong supporter for Democratic candidates. Critics argue that Mr. Dooce may have blogged the Foley emails in attempts to drive support for the Democratic Party nearing election time.
However, HRC maintains that they did not know of the blog prior to the publication. “The Human Rights Campaign,” says Smith “believes in being very aboveboard in our political activity.”
What is being overlooked here is the Foley scandal itself. The issue of a man, being of superior position, making advances toward subordinate young pages is taking a back burner to politics. Once again, this drama queen (politics) steals the thunder, and Mr. Dooce is the one paying for it.
My sympathies goes out to Mr. Dooce. You have done a good thing by exposing Foley for what he really is.
All for the Wrong Reasons
People will take desperate measures to be thin. From going under the knife to going on crash diets, people are going to extremes—the new trend—taking off label medication.
The Today Show’s Matt Lauder covered this desperate-to-be-thin trend early this morning. The trend, doing more harm than good, entails taking various mixtures of pills to curb appetite. Doctors are prescribing mixed “cocktails” ranging in ingredient from anti-depressants to anti-seizure pills.
Taking off label medication has been shown to work for some, but serious side affects can be experienced. Patients have been known to have adverse affects from these pill concoctions, from balding to sporadic body numbness.
The real question is, how the hell is this legal? I was under the impression that doctors prescribe specific medications like anti-depressants to help, I don't know, DEPRESSION. Legitimate doctors are prescribing drugs intended to help serious medical conditions for weight loss?
Doctors should be using their practices to take on more serious medical conditions, not to humor the desperate-to-be-thin fanatics. It is disappointing that dru
gs intended for serious medical conditions are being frivolously distributed for weight loss. These same drugs can be given to those who need them the most. Millions of people, mostly in third world countries, do not have access to needed drugs because of a lack of government infrastructure and funding. But we, shallow, Americans are using them to curb our hunger in order to look like Nicole Richie.How far will we go for beauty I wonder, and how far will doctors go for money?
Sunday, October 22, 2006
A Message for All Women Out There
“Depictions of subordination tend to perpetuate subordination. The subordinate status of women in turn leads to affront and lower pay at work, insult and injury at home, battery and rape in the streets.” -Zelezny
John Zelezny summaries a Court of Appeals decision from a 1985 case that challenged the porn industry and their discrimination against women for depicting women in degrading roles. Unfortunately, women around the world did not win the case.
Day in and day out, you find images of women in nothing but subordinate, degrading roles. In porn, rap videos, and even the Howard Stern show, all you see are women serving the needs of chauvinistic pigs. They are asked to participate in demeaning activities, showing more skin than necessary, and getting their asses slapped while being called “honey” for doing a good job.
Although I am infuriated and disgusted with these pigs that promote and generate these degrading images of us, I am more angered that my own kind (women) would allow themselves to be viewed in that way. Is it the money? Is it the less than 15 minutes of fame? What is the appeal to partake in such degrading roles? Why would a self-respecting woman volunteer to shake every body part in front of hooting and hollering men that see them as just a piece of meat?
Wake up!!! If you need the attention, go to your family and friends. If you need the money, get a REAL job. Be smart and go to school. Show the world what we are really capable of. Don't send us centuries back when we've made such great progress.
Only until we, women, stand up for ourselves by not participating in such degrading roles will we be seen as MORE. The quote above speaks truth. If women are constantly seen as things to conquer and control, we will experience just that. If by 10 years from now, I am still making 75 cents to a man’s dollar, I am going to raise HELL for those women who help promote the idea that we are subordinate to men. Women have come a long way to get to where we are now. The thought of other women sending us backward, or keeping us stagnant makes me livid.
John Zelezny summaries a Court of Appeals decision from a 1985 case that challenged the porn industry and their discrimination against women for depicting women in degrading roles. Unfortunately, women around the world did not win the case.
Day in and day out, you find images of women in nothing but subordinate, degrading roles. In porn, rap videos, and even the Howard Stern show, all you see are women serving the needs of chauvinistic pigs. They are asked to participate in demeaning activities, showing more skin than necessary, and getting their asses slapped while being called “honey” for doing a good job.
Although I am infuriated and disgusted with these pigs that promote and generate these degrading images of us, I am more angered that my own kind (women) would allow themselves to be viewed in that way. Is it the money? Is it the less than 15 minutes of fame? What is the appeal to partake in such degrading roles? Why would a self-respecting woman volunteer to shake every body part in front of hooting and hollering men that see them as just a piece of meat?
Wake up!!! If you need the attention, go to your family and friends. If you need the money, get a REAL job. Be smart and go to school. Show the world what we are really capable of. Don't send us centuries back when we've made such great progress.
Only until we, women, stand up for ourselves by not participating in such degrading roles will we be seen as MORE. The quote above speaks truth. If women are constantly seen as things to conquer and control, we will experience just that. If by 10 years from now, I am still making 75 cents to a man’s dollar, I am going to raise HELL for those women who help promote the idea that we are subordinate to men. Women have come a long way to get to where we are now. The thought of other women sending us backward, or keeping us stagnant makes me livid.
Pre-DOOCED?
Professor Lilly Buchwitz wrote about another DOOCED incident. It seems Canadian Politician Garth Turner is another victim of the DOOCE-lexia that's circulating around like a virus having everyone fired from their jobs. Just like from blogs, people are also getting fired for the content of their other personal web pages like MySpace. How come these people aren’t learning???
There are known incidences where someone’s blog ultimately prevents them from getting a job as well. So I wonder, can we say that someone is “pre-DOOCED” when their blog is the reason for them not getting hired?
This occurrence happens just as frequently as when someone gets DOOCED, so let’s figure out a name for this just as embarrassing occurrence. Hit me up and tell me your suggestion for a name.
So far my creative juices aren’t working in full effect, thus the lame “pre-DOOCED”. =P
There are known incidences where someone’s blog ultimately prevents them from getting a job as well. So I wonder, can we say that someone is “pre-DOOCED” when their blog is the reason for them not getting hired?
This occurrence happens just as frequently as when someone gets DOOCED, so let’s figure out a name for this just as embarrassing occurrence. Hit me up and tell me your suggestion for a name.
So far my creative juices aren’t working in full effect, thus the lame “pre-DOOCED”. =P
***For those of you who aren't familiar with what I'm talking about, read the below:
DOOCED (compliments of Urban Dictionary)
Getting fired because of something that you wrote in your weblog.
"Blogger Heather B. Armstrong coined the phrase in 2002, after she was fired from her Web design job for writing about work and colleagues on her blog, Dooce.com" (Source: Yahoo.com)
Last October, Delta Air Lines flight attendant Ellen Simonetti was fired, she said, for what her supervisor called a misuse of uniform. Simonetti had posted on her personal blog, Queen of Sky (now called Diary of a Fired Flight Attendant), pictures of herself, in her uniform, on an empty plane. Her blog also contained thinly veiled work stories.
DOOCED (compliments of Urban Dictionary)
Getting fired because of something that you wrote in your weblog.
"Blogger Heather B. Armstrong coined the phrase in 2002, after she was fired from her Web design job for writing about work and colleagues on her blog, Dooce.com" (Source: Yahoo.com)
Last October, Delta Air Lines flight attendant Ellen Simonetti was fired, she said, for what her supervisor called a misuse of uniform. Simonetti had posted on her personal blog, Queen of Sky (now called Diary of a Fired Flight Attendant), pictures of herself, in her uniform, on an empty plane. Her blog also contained thinly veiled work stories.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
What came first, the serial killer or the internet?
Obviously there have always been sick individuals lurking in our societies, doing unbelievably horrendous things. The infamous Jack the Ripper, the murderer wrecking havoc in London during the 1800’s, can be viewed as a prime example.
But has the internet spawned a new group of serial killers, pedophiles, necrophilia’s, or the other kinds of sick individuals who perform bestiality, masochism, etc.?
There is no refuting that the internet is a great resource for these sick people. There is also no arguing that sick people have been around even before the advent of the internet. But I ask you, through the ease, level of vast resource, and level of anonymity that the internet provides, has the internet ultimately led to the creation of more sick individuals?
Before the internet, it was harder for pedophiles to get a hold of pictures depicting children engaging in sexual acts. This being illegal and all, one would have to go through tremendous leaps and bounds just to get such pictures of this sort of erotica. The same goes for those intrigued by bestiality. They would have to go to Mexico to see the infamous “Donkey Show” in order to get their sick jollies. But now all they have to do is log on to the internet and make a quick click of the mouse to see such things.
Through the internet, you can even get in touch with others who have the same interests as you do. There have been many cases found where molesters are reaching out to other molesters to compare notes.
Even the twisted blockbuster movie Hostel was inspired by the “sick shit on the internet”. The producers of the horror flick came up with the premise when coming across certain websites that offered the opportunity to partake in sick, violent, illegal acts in exchange for money. Through the websites, individuals from poor countries were offering the bodies of their relatives and themselves for cash.
It’s hard to discern whether the internet has really spawned a new level of low in our society, but it’s easy enough to see that it is a great tool for the good and the bad in our world.
But has the internet spawned a new group of serial killers, pedophiles, necrophilia’s, or the other kinds of sick individuals who perform bestiality, masochism, etc.?
There is no refuting that the internet is a great resource for these sick people. There is also no arguing that sick people have been around even before the advent of the internet. But I ask you, through the ease, level of vast resource, and level of anonymity that the internet provides, has the internet ultimately led to the creation of more sick individuals?
Before the internet, it was harder for pedophiles to get a hold of pictures depicting children engaging in sexual acts. This being illegal and all, one would have to go through tremendous leaps and bounds just to get such pictures of this sort of erotica. The same goes for those intrigued by bestiality. They would have to go to Mexico to see the infamous “Donkey Show” in order to get their sick jollies. But now all they have to do is log on to the internet and make a quick click of the mouse to see such things.
Through the internet, you can even get in touch with others who have the same interests as you do. There have been many cases found where molesters are reaching out to other molesters to compare notes.
Even the twisted blockbuster movie Hostel was inspired by the “sick shit on the internet”. The producers of the horror flick came up with the premise when coming across certain websites that offered the opportunity to partake in sick, violent, illegal acts in exchange for money. Through the websites, individuals from poor countries were offering the bodies of their relatives and themselves for cash.
It’s hard to discern whether the internet has really spawned a new level of low in our society, but it’s easy enough to see that it is a great tool for the good and the bad in our world.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Must See TV
When first brainstorming what my opinion of “important television” was, I came up with nada. The only thing I noticed was that all of my favorite television shows had the same genre – comedy. I came to the conclusion that I watch Friends, Will and Grace, and Everybody Loves Raymond to laugh and get out of my world for an episode or two; because after a long hard day, it’s nice to sit back and laugh for a couple of minutes. Shows like these, the ones that have you laughing until your abs hurt, I can’t live without. However, are they important shows?
Before last Thursday’s MCOM 72 class, I thought they were, at least they were to me. But now I know that “favorite” or “good” shows may not be the “important” ones. Important shows are the ones that teach you something; or the ones that have social relevance to them; or the ones that have an underlying moral. After reassessing what I considered important, I came up with these three:
1. The Cosby Show
2. Who’s the Boss
3. The Voyage of the Mimi (LOVE THAT NAME!)
I know what you’re thinking, “Who’s the Boss, important…what???” Let me explain. But first comes first.
The Cosby Show is relevant to our society because it stars an all-Black cast which represented a wholesome, Black, middle-class family. Before The Cosby show, did you ever see any other show which starred an all Black cast that represented good, wholesome values? No. What you did see was dysfunction and the ghetto if a show were to revolve around a Black family. The show allowed society another perspective; there are good, smart African American families. Minorities have long been victims of the negative stigma that the media portrays them as. Usually Black, Hispanic, Asian actors are cast as drunkards, criminals, or just side-kicks. The Cosby Show has helped minorities get a good face and a good name within television.
Who’s the Boss also gave us a different perspective, but this time it touched base on the different gender roles within our American society. Here we have a tough, tattooed, Italian man living his life as a housecleaner for a hugely successful, career oriented WOMAN!!! (Love the premise!) We live in a world where there are “norms” for our genders when regarding the workplace. Who’s the Boss helps break this so-called-norm and makes us question whether gender really counts when careers and success is involved. The show promotes the idea that in the work arena, a woman can do anything a man can do and a man can do anything a woman can do.
The 1984 television series, The Voyage of the Mimi, was another important program. Not because it provided some different perspective but because of its educational value.
According to a review made by the The Christopher W. Forsythe Project, “The Voyage of the Mimi and The Second Voyage of the Mimi are groundbreaking programs created by The Bank Street College of Education. They were among the first multimedia materials to use interactive technologies in an inquiry-based, integrated approach to teaching and learning for the middle grades, with an emphasis on science and mathematics.” Need I say more?
So those are my three picks. What are yours?
Before last Thursday’s MCOM 72 class, I thought they were, at least they were to me. But now I know that “favorite” or “good” shows may not be the “important” ones. Important shows are the ones that teach you something; or the ones that have social relevance to them; or the ones that have an underlying moral. After reassessing what I considered important, I came up with these three:
1. The Cosby Show
2. Who’s the Boss
3. The Voyage of the Mimi (LOVE THAT NAME!)
I know what you’re thinking, “Who’s the Boss, important…what???” Let me explain. But first comes first.
The Cosby Show is relevant to our society because it stars an all-Black cast which represented a wholesome, Black, middle-class family. Before The Cosby show, did you ever see any other show which starred an all Black cast that represented good, wholesome values? No. What you did see was dysfunction and the ghetto if a show were to revolve around a Black family. The show allowed society another perspective; there are good, smart African American families. Minorities have long been victims of the negative stigma that the media portrays them as. Usually Black, Hispanic, Asian actors are cast as drunkards, criminals, or just side-kicks. The Cosby Show has helped minorities get a good face and a good name within television.
Who’s the Boss also gave us a different perspective, but this time it touched base on the different gender roles within our American society. Here we have a tough, tattooed, Italian man living his life as a housecleaner for a hugely successful, career oriented WOMAN!!! (Love the premise!) We live in a world where there are “norms” for our genders when regarding the workplace. Who’s the Boss helps break this so-called-norm and makes us question whether gender really counts when careers and success is involved. The show promotes the idea that in the work arena, a woman can do anything a man can do and a man can do anything a woman can do.
The 1984 television series, The Voyage of the Mimi, was another important program. Not because it provided some different perspective but because of its educational value.
According to a review made by the The Christopher W. Forsythe Project, “The Voyage of the Mimi and The Second Voyage of the Mimi are groundbreaking programs created by The Bank Street College of Education. They were among the first multimedia materials to use interactive technologies in an inquiry-based, integrated approach to teaching and learning for the middle grades, with an emphasis on science and mathematics.” Need I say more?
So those are my three picks. What are yours?
Friday, October 13, 2006
By jove I think she's got it!!!
For all of those frustrated bloggers who are pulling out their hair because you’re not on the Blogger in beta program, rest assured there is help.
There is a way to switch your already existing Blogger account to the new Blogger in beta program. It only takes a couple of minutes and the steps are really easy. However, keep in mind that Blogger in beta is still in its very early stages and some of you (hopefully not that much) won’t be able to make the switch just yet.
Also, don’t fret about losing any material or stored information. The switch moves everything. The only change will be your log-in information. After the switch, you will have to log-in using your Google account information.
I’ve copied and pasted the instructions below. Good Luck! =)
How do I switch to Blogger in beta?
There is a way to switch your already existing Blogger account to the new Blogger in beta program. It only takes a couple of minutes and the steps are really easy. However, keep in mind that Blogger in beta is still in its very early stages and some of you (hopefully not that much) won’t be able to make the switch just yet.
Also, don’t fret about losing any material or stored information. The switch moves everything. The only change will be your log-in information. After the switch, you will have to log-in using your Google account information.
I’ve copied and pasted the instructions below. Good Luck! =)
How do I switch to Blogger in beta?
The Blogger in beta program is going to start out small, so only a low percentage of people who log in to Blogger will see the option to switch over. If you're one of them, you'll see a blue box in the sidebar of your dashboard highlighting the new Blogger in beta. Click the "learn more" link there and we'll walk you through the process of switching your account.
Part of this change involves converting your Blogger account into a Google Account. If you already have a Google Account, log in with your Google Account email address and password when prompted. A confirmation message will appear to indicate success.
If you do not have a Google Account, you will be given the option to create one. Your new Google Account will automatically be linked to your Blogger account.
Blogger has a new Terms of Service so be sure to read and accept it when it is presented.
That's all there is to it. From this point on, you'll log in to beta.blogger.com, instead of the usual www.blogger.com, to access your account's new features. Remember also to use your new Google Account login information.
If you don't have the link on your dashboard, don't despair. We'll be adding more and more people as we go along, so eventually everyone will be able to switch.
(For more information, go to beta.blogger.com and click on the “help” link located on the bottom.)
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Shock Jock Stern
Howard Stern, the "King of ALL Media", the controversial shock jock, the blatant womanizer, the “say anything I damn well please” entertainer… is a brilliant man.
This media mogul knows how to catch the audience’s attention. Through much controversial banter, Stern has sky-rocketed to the top. He is ranked one of the highest paid radio personalities in America. On his show, he speaks his mind on a vast array of subjects which range from race, to sexual orientation, to politics. He lures his victims, other-wise known as his audience, with his witty humor and unrelenting remarks that often offend but at the same time intrigues his listeners.
Stern has had a huge influence on America’s talk radio medium. In terms of the development of the radio as a communications medium, Stern has helped develop it by widening the audience, therefore, making it a stronger medium for communications. Stern, along with other controversial shock jocks who have run-amuck on our airwaves, have tapped into a resource (audience) that’s harder to attain, the younger crowd. Unlike the conservative, politically correct disc jockeys also out there, Stern is appealing to a wider range of demographics.
Stern’s crass and crude, highly controversial show draws in listeners starting from the age of 18 and up. Although the majority of his listeners are male, he does have female listeners as well. In short, Stern has listeners ranging from young to old, from male to female, from rich to poor, and from suburban residents to urban city residents.
With all that said, it’s too bad Stern doesn’t use his wide range audience show to broadcast any relevant information. =P
This media mogul knows how to catch the audience’s attention. Through much controversial banter, Stern has sky-rocketed to the top. He is ranked one of the highest paid radio personalities in America. On his show, he speaks his mind on a vast array of subjects which range from race, to sexual orientation, to politics. He lures his victims, other-wise known as his audience, with his witty humor and unrelenting remarks that often offend but at the same time intrigues his listeners.
Stern has had a huge influence on America’s talk radio medium. In terms of the development of the radio as a communications medium, Stern has helped develop it by widening the audience, therefore, making it a stronger medium for communications. Stern, along with other controversial shock jocks who have run-amuck on our airwaves, have tapped into a resource (audience) that’s harder to attain, the younger crowd. Unlike the conservative, politically correct disc jockeys also out there, Stern is appealing to a wider range of demographics.
Stern’s crass and crude, highly controversial show draws in listeners starting from the age of 18 and up. Although the majority of his listeners are male, he does have female listeners as well. In short, Stern has listeners ranging from young to old, from male to female, from rich to poor, and from suburban residents to urban city residents.
With all that said, it’s too bad Stern doesn’t use his wide range audience show to broadcast any relevant information. =P
Monday, October 09, 2006
"A Face in the Crowd" Unveils the Power of Propaganda
A Face in the Crowd is a classic movie portraying the ease of the mass media’s domination over a credulous audience. Acclaimed actor, Grammy Award winning singer, writer and producer, Andy Griffith gives us a taste of the thin line between love and hate. Griffith, who plays a charismatic, loud-mouthed, eccentric, country drunkard, first captures the audience with his good natured spirit and "home on the range" songs before making the audience despise him as fame and fortune changes him for the worst. Also starring in the film is Academy Award winning actress Patricia Neal who plays Marcia Jeffries, a head-strong, independent journalist who gives Larry Rhodes (Griffith) a break into the media biz along with an oh-so-catchy nickname, "Lonesome Rhodes".
The Face in the Crowd is worth the couple of bucks to view the potential power of the mass media on its audience and the psychological affects fame can have on a person.
Intending to create controversy and to take radio to another level, Jeffries interviews a drunk drifter (Griffith) in a local jail and discovers his illustrious super-star potential. She tracks him down and persuades him to star on her uncle’s radio show. As fast as he finds female companions in this movie, and that is FAST, does he find greater opportunities to exploit his fame and everyone else around him. With every show and with every quirky song, Rhodes gets more famous and becomes a HOT commodity for money hungry media giants. He becomes his audience’s best friend, their idol and their consumer advisor. Ultimately, he becomes so influential from his immense popularity and his ability to manipulate, that he steps into the position of a political adviser.
Viewers will appreciate the moral of the story. Academy Award winning director, Elia Kazan, does a tremendous job conveying the power that the mass media can hold on its audience. Although produced in the 1950's, Kazan's clear understanding and portrayal of propaganda and the mass media can easily be applied the issues of today. A Face in the Crowd is the perfect movie for those gullible enough to get suckered on a daily basis. This movie will make you think twice about your next purchase, political vote, and new best friend.
The Face in the Crowd is worth the couple of bucks to view the potential power of the mass media on its audience and the psychological affects fame can have on a person.
Intending to create controversy and to take radio to another level, Jeffries interviews a drunk drifter (Griffith) in a local jail and discovers his illustrious super-star potential. She tracks him down and persuades him to star on her uncle’s radio show. As fast as he finds female companions in this movie, and that is FAST, does he find greater opportunities to exploit his fame and everyone else around him. With every show and with every quirky song, Rhodes gets more famous and becomes a HOT commodity for money hungry media giants. He becomes his audience’s best friend, their idol and their consumer advisor. Ultimately, he becomes so influential from his immense popularity and his ability to manipulate, that he steps into the position of a political adviser.
Viewers will appreciate the moral of the story. Academy Award winning director, Elia Kazan, does a tremendous job conveying the power that the mass media can hold on its audience. Although produced in the 1950's, Kazan's clear understanding and portrayal of propaganda and the mass media can easily be applied the issues of today. A Face in the Crowd is the perfect movie for those gullible enough to get suckered on a daily basis. This movie will make you think twice about your next purchase, political vote, and new best friend.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Online Confessionals
A new trend has surfaced, merging the teachings of centuries old Christianity with the modern, innovative technology of the internet – online confessionals are now hitting the mainstream and getting national attention.
Much like millions of groups and organizations out there, churches have jumped on the bandwagon when it comes to using one of the leading forms of media, the internet. Churches have utilized the internet to spread their teachings across the globe and now are taking it to the next step – online confessionals. Churches like the Christian Universal Life Church are launching online confessionals that can be accessed with the simple click of the mouse. These confessionals keep their visitors anonymous and are receiving great praise because of the sheer convenience it provides. Visitors are able to confess their sins as well as express any other issues that trouble them within the comfort of their own home.
However, opponents of online confessionals are speaking out saying online confessionals are not the same as real confessionals that are presented to a qualified priest. Instead, they are confessed to an inanimate object, the computer. Also in question is if forgiveness for one’s sins can be received over the web.
Pastor Craig Groeschel of Life Church says that their mysecret.tv confession website is not a confessional but is considered “step one”. Because confessing over the website does not involve absolution, it can not be considered a true confessional. Instead, the website is the first step for the visitors. It encourages their visitors to attend the actual church and/or view the church’s online worship service.
There’s a mixed message that churches like Life Church is putting forth. They advertise and encourage their members to partake in these “online confessionals” through such websites as mysecret.tv but at the same time are not considering them true confessionals that allow true absolution. This can be very confusing to a person that is already haunted by personal troubles and is in need for an outlet for forgiveness and peace of mind.
The gray line needs to be cleared, especially if there are websites out there providing “online confessionals” for a fee.
Much like millions of groups and organizations out there, churches have jumped on the bandwagon when it comes to using one of the leading forms of media, the internet. Churches have utilized the internet to spread their teachings across the globe and now are taking it to the next step – online confessionals. Churches like the Christian Universal Life Church are launching online confessionals that can be accessed with the simple click of the mouse. These confessionals keep their visitors anonymous and are receiving great praise because of the sheer convenience it provides. Visitors are able to confess their sins as well as express any other issues that trouble them within the comfort of their own home.
However, opponents of online confessionals are speaking out saying online confessionals are not the same as real confessionals that are presented to a qualified priest. Instead, they are confessed to an inanimate object, the computer. Also in question is if forgiveness for one’s sins can be received over the web.
Pastor Craig Groeschel of Life Church says that their mysecret.tv confession website is not a confessional but is considered “step one”. Because confessing over the website does not involve absolution, it can not be considered a true confessional. Instead, the website is the first step for the visitors. It encourages their visitors to attend the actual church and/or view the church’s online worship service.
There’s a mixed message that churches like Life Church is putting forth. They advertise and encourage their members to partake in these “online confessionals” through such websites as mysecret.tv but at the same time are not considering them true confessionals that allow true absolution. This can be very confusing to a person that is already haunted by personal troubles and is in need for an outlet for forgiveness and peace of mind.
The gray line needs to be cleared, especially if there are websites out there providing “online confessionals” for a fee.
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