Does this make a good examination of conscience for Catholics who use forums?

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Rob2

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Waiting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation yesterday I read a reflection by Father David Stewart S J who works in the Stamford Hill parish in London , and is the National Director of the Pope’s Network of Prayer in Britain . He reflects on the Pope’s intention for this month which is " That social networks may work towards that inclusivenss which respects others for their differences " .

Reading it I began to examine myself on how I use social media .

Do I use it too much ?

Do I respect others for their differences ?

How do I react to those who think differently or are different from myself ?

Being anonymous online do I create a fake persona for myself ?

Do I degrade or attack others ?

Do I feed my prejudices by spending all my time online seeking only the company of likeminded people ?

Do I build up others for dialogue for the greater common good ?

Do I consecrate each day my time online to God whose grace I need to protect my delicate and tender freedom ?

https://www.jesuit.org.uk/blog/praying-pope-june-1
 
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I think that is all quite reasonable, given the reactions we get (and give) to posts here at CAF. The anonymity of the web seems to draw out the worst in us, as we can offend without risk of violence, and without seeing the effect of our mistreatment of others. Not unexpected at all was the strange sense of peace I had on Corpus Christi Sunday. Lord, may I have that peace and charity each day of my on-line life!
 
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Almost always when I’ve been uncharitable to somebody on the forum I remember it quite well without having to crank through a whole list of exam questions.
Likewise, when I have been participating in any forum too much in a non-constructive way, a bell in my head usually rings about that.

Like many people, I use internet forums for relaxation and to have some conversation with other humans throughout my day on topics I am interested in. Having to think constantly about all this stuff makes the whole business less than relaxing and if I were to constantly have to “examine my conscience” about it then I would just stop doing it.

“Consecrate my time online to God”, come on man…I am already trying to go to daily Mass and pray for a significant amount of time each day and make other sacrifices. I am not to the point of living like a religious monk where I have to consecrate my every minute spent looking at memes on Facebook to God. There’s such a thing as carrying holiness too far. I do not consecrate my every minute eating Cheetohs, doing my office work, or watching television to God, for example.
 
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po18guy said:
The anonymity of the web seems to draw out the worst in us, as we can offend without risk of violence, and without seeing the effect of our mistreatment of others.
Click to expand...
Do you ever feel that web forums could be an occasion of sin ?
 
If one has trouble controlling their ego, yes. However, that problem can be mastered with a plea for God’s grace.
 
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