Catholicism and Technology

  • Thread starter Thread starter catholic30
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

catholic30

Guest
Hi, everyone. Technology is now very much present in our daily lives and I was wondering how should we, as Catholics, use it in a moral way. Should we use social media? Are digital assistants fine? Should we be concerned about our privacy online? When is too much technology too much? Do you have a set of rules regarding the use of technology?

Any thoughts on these and other questions?
 
Last edited:
These are all personal choices and preferences, aside from one question.
catholic30 said:
Should we be concerned about our privacy online?
Click to expand...
^^ Everyone should be careful in this regard.

Why on earth would a job in computer science be inappropriate?
 
Sorry, you’re right. Removed the CS part from the post. I’m still learning about Catholicism and I wasn’t sure about its relation with tech. I thought that, because they want us to limit the use of technology in our lives (or at least not let it “dominate” us), maybe a job related to it wouldn’t be ideal. But it was stupid, I know. :confused:
 
No, it wasn’t stupid. It was a valid question.

Catholicism has no problem with technology in general, but still cautions against being too over-dependant on technology, or being obsessed with online games or social media to the point that you neglect your day-to-day tasks and responsibilities. If it distracts you from religious duties such as attending Mass then obsession with technology can even border on idolatry since it has taken the place of God in your life. Generally speaking it’s best to consume technology selectively and mindfully.
 
Okay, now, everyone take a deep breath and stay with me on this:

Consider for a moment where we, as faithful Catholics, would be right now without computer technology. Think about the circumstances in which we all find ourselves in these days of pestilence. Here’s what it looks like without computer technology:
  • No online Mass
  • No online fellowship (such as what you are reading right now)
  • Newspapers printed with movable type are your primary written news source (no computerized typesetting, remember?)
  • No way to order groceries online — you’d have to pick up the phone, call the store, and read to them what you want. You and hundreds of others — busy signals for hours on end? Maybe drive by and drop off a handwritten list to a valet on the curb, then come back later? And either cash or a credit card imprint?
  • Television limited to a few analog channels (that actually might not be a bad thing 😇 🚫 📺)
  • Rumors spread by word of mouth with no way to verify or debunk, assuming you could get close enough to your neighbor to hear them
  • Typewritten or hand-written letters to stay in touch with loved ones out of town (no email)
  • Analog voice phone calls, no streaming video, no way to see your friends and loved ones
And much more.

There is a small minority (mostly people beyond a certain age) who are of a “hate computers” mindset, but I would encourage such people to ponder what their life would be like right now, if we didn’t have computers or the Internet. And if not their lives, what about the lives of those they care about?
 
catholic30 said:
Sorry, you’re right. Removed the CS part from the post. I’m still learning about Catholicism and I wasn’t sure about its relation with tech. I thought that, because they want us to limit the use of technology in our lives (or at least not let it “dominate” us), maybe a job related to it wouldn’t be ideal. But it was stupid, I know. :confused:
Click to expand...
It wasn’t stupid at all! I was just curious about where you’d got the impression from that it wasn’t very appropriate for Catholics, it’s not something I’ve heard before.

As long as you use technology responsibly and bear in mind that once something is online, it stays there forever, you should be fine.
 
True, we need to be very careful about what we post online. One day something we wrote years ago could come back to haunt us. For example, employers tend to search for their possible employee’s name online and they could find something bad that we did.
 
Last edited:
My apologies; I didn’t mean to imply that it was a stupid question, I just haven’t heard that we are to limit technology in any way.

Now, that said, a poster above mentioned not becoming so obsessed or consumed with tech that it disrupts our daily lives and responsibilities; that I agree with and the same goes for anything/everything.
 
Technology should be used when and as needed. Self-discipline is important. Limit your computer time. Avoid porn and the potential for addiction - it’s very real. Social media is fine but remember that whatever you post in public can stay there forever. Self-control applies when answering difficult and emotional questions. Be a good role model online. Avoid abusive situations online. I have a friend in Internet Technology. It’s a job someone has to do.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top