One of the nations leading evangelical Christian voices is calling on Christians to be more responsible in the blogosphere. As I review the Christian blogosphere, I see a lot that doesnt look certifiably Christian to me, writes Sheldon Smith, president and editor of the biweekly paper Sword of the Lord.In a recent issue, he writes that many Christians are posting rumors, assailing good people and are attacking character without integrity and with no accountability. While the Christian community long has had its outlets for commentary about issues, Smith says the Internet and the proliferation of blogs, with free-wheeling opinions and shielded identities, are letting anyone make reckless comments. And hes troubled that Christians are part of that. We should be ever mindful of representing the Lord well in all things, he says. Smith said he is finding it too easy for anyone to castigate and vilify Christian leaders, churches and colleges with impunity and with absolutely no accountability to anyone. While he says making sure scandals are exposed, the Internet is being used to quickly turn one persons grudges into a tempest. It is often my thoughts and your thoughts which are given with no other purpose than to smear good people, Smith asserts. A student booted out of a Christian college can get on the Internet and blast the college and say how wicked the administration is, and build up sympathy, while the schools hands are tied by privacy rules. That student will build his case with 29 other cases like his own where students were dismissed in a heavy-handed and un-Christian way. Therefore, the college is now (according to him), a wicked place. At the same time, that student conveniently fails to come clean on why he was dismissed cheating on tests or drinking or other kinds of infractions. Or hell say it was only one time and got no second chance. Then, Smith says, the other bloggers pile on, and the next thing you know, the aura of suspicion hangs over that school like a dark, shameful cloud. Its all just too easily done by one disgruntled ex-student with a computer and bitter spirit, Smith says. When did a Christian get a license to go on a crusade against someone or some place because they did not get their way or a fair shake? the Sword editor asks. He makes seven suggestions. Here is a quick list: 1) the Christian blogosphere should adhere to the same principles that have governed journalistic integrity and Christian demeanor; 2) scandals should be exposed, but suffering in silence has merit, and one should stop trying to poison the stream from which so many others are drinking without ill effects; 3) gossip is not a Christian activity, and the offended should resolve conflicts with the offender personally and privately first; using a blog to blab without trying redemption is a disgrace to the testimony of Christ: 4) do your homework and know what you are talking about first because Christian integrity demands accountability of all of us; 5) it is neither faithful nor fruitful, neither pious nor prudent to tell everything you know even if it is true; 6) some things are issues of sufficient public interest and should be reported, but writing calls for accountability and putting your name with your words; and 7) Christians ought to be Christian in using the blogosphere.Smith gives Christian bloggers the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they simply have not considered the impact of their actions or thought things through. Maybe they are simply having fun stirring controversy. He urges them to pause, catch their breath and rethink how they are spending their time.The blogosphere is mostly about molehills, not mountains, Smith asserts. But a lot of people are being smeared without mercy over the molehills. Thats shameful!

Posted in: Uncategorized |

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.