The ideology of religion and its notion of truth can sometimes be overbearing. For people in search of faith, belonging to a church is as important to them as their beliefs.
Most people agree that in order to find a denomination, the first step would be with prayer. However, some have turned to the internet as an expedited approach to finding a church coherent with their beliefs; a process as easy as checking their e-mail’s.
The internet has allowed us to access the world at our fingertips and has opened the airways of knowledge further than we can comprehend, and the simple search of the word "religion" brings up thousands of sites.
Before I started this blog, I put myself in the shoes of
those in search of faith. At first I came across sites that informed me of "world religions". They gave listed information on what it meant to be Christian, Jewish, Buddhist etc., but I wanted to know m
ore.
I then started discovering uncommon beliefs that linked to "cultist" activity. Whether it be the countdown to December 21, 2012 (the presumed "END of the world") that offered a lottery with a limited availability that secured a spot to be saved, or the belief of Yahwehism (considerably the cult of Christianity) that based its ideas off the "true" interpretation of the bible, my findings inevitably became limitless.
As I stumbled across these religions and their presumed ways of life I also found a plethora of sites offering ordination, repentance and the acceptance of Jesus Christ ALL through a mere click of the mouse. In one extreme, an internet based church even offered baptism. But still, even with all this information I wasn't completely convinced that a person in search of faith would know where to turn.
I then came across a website that offered a quiz. To be quite honest, answering questions to determine what bracket my beliefs fell in seem
ed absurd, but I took it anyway. Through a series of 20 questions, depending on how you answered, the end results would give you the percentage of similar beliefs between you and different religions. In basic, it determines how much of a certain religion you are. The information links would further your understanding of those religions and in the end, hopefully, lead you toward the faith that suited you best. Go figure!?
Along the lines of searching for a religion, its true meaning became lost between the clutter. Being able to practice a faith online or finding one of interest through web based search offers much more than one is looking for. Not knowing where to begin can sometimes lead to no ending. Through the irony of it all, you may find something in one religion that another says is completely false. The only way to completely know is through prayer.
Is seeking a religion through the internet as gratifying as missionary work? What would you say are the proper steps toward a religion?
No, I don't think internet-surfing is as gratifying as soul-searching. Like you said, finding a suitable religion is based on prayer, so when the internet becomes the alternate means of finding truth, a personal and revelatory relationship between God and searcher is likely forsaken.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do believe the internet can be a fabulous introductory tool for providing direction and outlining beliefs of a religious institution. After the introduction is made, though, the remaining steps to finding truth involve the Lord and a personal dedication to conversion.
I'm gunna say the internet is a good starting point. There's no way someone can look in the yellow pages or drive around town and know their options for religion. If one is really looking for something the internet is going to give them all the choices. And if that person is serious about finding a religion they will study each possibility they found. My guess is if they are really searching they won't be sudden 'click yes to accept God' types. Once they study they can make a choice based on prayer (like you said)or however and then move on to looking for something more physical to solidify their choice.
ReplyDeleteThe internet can not replace true soul searching and it will not bring the gratifying feelings that come from religion. In this case, it's a place to gather information, like the library. After that, the person has to have a conversion in his heart. I honestly doubt that anyone who is genuinely looking for peace can find that in an internet religion. They would just take the steps using internet first.
I agree with the other comments - the internet is a good place to research and find out what's available, but I don't think there are any tools or quizzes that can properly help you understand yourself. It's important to take time and get away from media and all the noise and confusion it brings and really examine how you feel about certain things. That way you determine how you feel instead of something else determining how you feel.
ReplyDeleteYou ask the question, "Is seeking a religion through the internet as gratifying as missionary work?" I would say it depends. I know that's ambiguous, but I think it depends on why you're searching, and why the person posted it. I have a friend who posts religious videos on youtube all the time. He gets a sense of satisfactory in this small type of missionary work. (I daresay, it's a more productive use of time than I often engage in.) Many people that see his videos become angry and defensive, but others thank him for the sincerity with which he did the work.
ReplyDeleteIn his case he is using the internet as a missionary tool, but all for the purpose of encouraging others to take personal action in finding the truth and going to church. That part is not possible through internet religions. Religion is vastly personal. An individual in thousands is still an individual, with real needs and wants. Religions need to help the individual become better, not just be a part of the blind mass. The internet can't compensate for that.
Although the internet is a wonderful tool in spreading the gospel, I feel there is a lack of personal ties, of commitment to religion, and of unifying the followers of Christ when all interaction is on the web. I think religion in person is much more ideal, and that the internet should simply aid in that correspondence.
ReplyDelete