Pope Francis Calls the Internet 'Gift From God'

[Robert_Sock]

abcnews.go.com/Technology/pope-francis-calls-internet-gift-god/story?id=21639122

“The walls which divide us can be broken down only if we are prepared to listen and learn from one another,” he said. “The Internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God.”

Good news for us CAF members! But I’m addicted. I heard several years ago that Orthodox Jewish leaders forbid the use of the Internet by its members.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

The internet has certainly been a blessing…well and a curse.

I discovered much about the Catholic faith that has been tremendous in support of my faith. So, yes it is a gift from that standpoint. There is also a lot of bad stuff on the internet too though. If I had to access it personally, more so good than bad, I’ve been influenced both positively and negatively in my spiritual life.

 

[Viewer]

Hrmm…I wonder if he’d still say that had he seen 4chan first?

Oh eitherway…Interesting article. And yep, Hasidic Jews reject the “non-kosher” internet since it could allow access to sinful material (a group in Israel is working to produce a “Kosher” internet program that limits connections only to approved websites).

 

[savone]

I think John Paul II stated that the internet itself was neither good nor bad. Rather, this was determined by its uses. It seems Pope Francis is expressing similar thoughts in a different manner.

 

[Cojuanco]

Of course, a gift from God can and often is abused. We must not abuse such gifts.

 

[JamesTheJust]

With the twist they almost always put on his words, I was expecting the mainstream media to report that Pope Francis worships Al Gore.

 

[GangGreen]

There is LOTS of garbage on the Internet. However, it would be wrong to say that a lot of good doesn’t come from it. You have sites like this and also many sites which allow the faithful to rediscover many of the treasures of the Catholic faith that were forgotten by most years ago.

 

[ProVobis]

With the twist they almost always put on his words, I was expecting the mainstream media to report that Pope Francis worships Al Gore.

I doubt if Al Gore invented the internet, as I had just began work in 1969 when it was first introduced. But coincidentally enough, 1969 was when the Pope got ordained a priest.

 

[Coatimundi]

I think Pope Francis was saying that God is giving us are opportunities to overcome our economic, political, and social divisions by drawing closer to one another. The internet is only one of the vehicles for those opportunities, should we choose to accept God’s gift.

Quoting from the Message of Pope Francis for the 48th World Communications Day:

*Often we need only walk the streets of a city to see the contrast between people living on the street and the brilliant lights of the store windows. We have become so accustomed to these things that they no longer unsettle us. Our world suffers from many forms of exclusion, marginalization and poverty, to say nothing of conflicts born of a combination of economic, political, ideological, and, sadly, even religious motives.

In a world like this, media can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which can in turn inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all. Good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. The walls which divide us can be broken down only if we are prepared to listen and learn from one another. We need to resolve our differences through forms of dialogue which help us grow in understanding and mutual respect. A culture of encounter demands that we be ready not only to give, but also to receive. Media can help us greatly in this, especially nowadays, when the networks of human communication have made unprecedented advances. The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God.*
…
…[C]ommunication is ultimately a human rather than technological achievement. What is it, then, that helps us, in the digital environment, to grow in humanity and mutual understanding? We need, for example, to recover a certain sense of deliberateness and calm. This calls for time and the ability to be silent and to listen. We need also to be patient if we want to understand those who are different from us. People only express themselves fully when they are not merely tolerated, but know that they are truly accepted. If we are genuinely attentive in listening to others, we will learn to look at the world with different eyes and come to appreciate the richness of human experience as manifested in different cultures and traditions.
vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/messages/communications/documents/papa-francesco_20140124_messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali_en.html

 

[JamesTheJust]

I doubt if Al Gore invented the internet, as I had just began work in 1969 when it was first introduced. But coincidentally enough, 1969 was when the Pope got ordained a priest.

I know, but mine was a tongue-in-cheek comment.

 

[ProVobis]

I know, but mine was a tongue-in-cheek comment.

Actually it gave me a chance to brag a little bit. It was exciting to see when they first managed to hook computers to each other, something that they do routinely in many homes these days with wireless.