The Holy Father Calls For Internet Evangelization

[Silvereel]

[catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16057](Pope Calls for Internet Evangelists)

Pope Benedict XVI is calling upon young people to evangelize using the Internet as the Church prepares to celebrate the World Day for Social Communications.

At the end of his Wednesday general audience, the Holy Father launched an appeal asking that cyberspace be a place that promotes a “culture of respect, dialogue and authentic friendship where the values of truth, harmony and understanding can flourish.”

Speaking English, the Holy Father recalled how in his message for this year’s celebrations, "I am inviting all those who make use of the new technologies of communication, especially the young, to utilize them in a positive way and to realize the great potential of these means to build up bonds of friendship and solidarity that can contribute to a better world.

“Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world!” the Pope urged.

“Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God’s infinite love for all people, will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!”

The World Day for Social Communications will be held on Sunday, May 24 this year.

 

[Eucharisted]

It’s hard to evangelize to people who believe the Bible is corrupted.

Fortunately, though, we have Apostolic Tradition.

 

[Tsuwano]

I think it’s very good for the Holy Father to call for internet evangelization, after all, isn’t that what is going on in this very site?

 

[domini_canus]

I am heavily involved on a roleplaying forum where almost everyone is atheist, agnostic, aggressively opposed to Catholic Christianity, or homosexual (not to say that homosexuals are automatically irreligious). I have, over the last half year, become known as the token Catholic, and as time has gone on, I’ve had a few people PMing me with serious questions. And even in the open forums, forum members pose questions and have so far been satisfied with the whole of my responses, even if they do not agree with me. In this way, I am trying to do my part on the Internet. So far, I’ve seemed to have gotten through to a few people, insofar as they respect me now and no longer write things like “take your bigotry and backwards religion somewhere else.”

As a Dominican in training, I am trying to defend my faith by primarily engaging in prayer, studying my Bible and the faith, and being kind in my discussions. I pray that fruit will come from my efforts.

 

[Miserissima]

There are many “good” Catholic Blogs as well as forums like CAF (faithful to theMagesterium, of course), and I would like to see an explosion of that.

I think it’s comendable when Catholics on the 'Net are able to witness to their faith in a secular cyber-society (like domini, above).

But, how can we take this a step further to evangelize in other forums/chat rooms, without being like people who come here and slam us with with OSAS rhetoric?

 

[domini_canus]

But, how can we take this a step further to evangelize in other forums/chat rooms, without being like people who come here and slam us with with OSAS rhetoric?

We do so, I have learned through my own mistakes, by praying for wisdom, not thinking it is all about us, being kind (even when attacked), and not assuming a superior position over our opponents. We must show them that by our fruits we are different.

 

[Teelynn]

We do so, I have learned through my own mistakes, by praying for wisdom, not thinking it is all about us, being kind (even when attacked), and not assuming a superior position over our opponents. We must show them that by our fruits we are different.

A thick skinned “constitution” wouldn’t hurt either. Good for you for your brave evangalizing. God will bless you for it!!

 

[timcin]

There are many “good” Catholic Blogs as well as forums like CAF (faithful to theMagesterium, of course), and I would like to see an explosion of that.

I think it’s comendable when Catholics on the 'Net are able to witness to their faith in a secular cyber-society (like domini, above).

But, how can we take this a step further to evangelize in other forums/chat rooms, without being like people who come here and slam us with with OSAS rhetoric?

Just read in my Diocesan paper the Vatican has launched an iPhone and Facebook application “in an effort to help Catholics, especially younger generations, use new technologies to create a culture of dialogue, respect, and friendship. The new applications are part of a brand new Vatican web site - www.pope2you.net - that was to go live on World Communication Day which will be celebrated May 24 in most dioceses”.

It’s live today an I just joined the Facebook application.

These are great ways to evangelize.

 

[wapsi]

I think it’s very good for the Holy Father to call for internet evangelization, after all, isn’t that what is going on in this very site?

Sort of, but this is a safe harbor. It is heavily orthodox and Catholic.

I think what the Pope would like to see us doing is more like what Domini Canus is up to… going into sites in which our views are not well represented. Its tough work, cuz we’re likely to get a few attacks. Still, evangelizing is about spreading the Good News where folks haven’t heard it or have mis-heard it.

 

[domini_canus]

On almost every non-Christian forum on the Internet, one must be ready for brutal attacks that are often philosophical but sometimes also ad hominem. Those hurt, but we are not greater than our Master, so we must bear with the insults.

I’m not saying I’m perfect. I sometimes lose my temper but not nearly as much as I used to. I am, slowly, developing my thick skin.

 

[brittrossiter]

I think this is an excellent development. There is a lot of trash on Facebook; hopefully the Holy Father’s presence will help things a bit.

Any word on if/when the Vatican will begin Tweeting on Twitter?

 

[LoveJesus]

We do so, I have learned through my own mistakes, by praying for wisdom, not thinking it is all about us, being kind (even when attacked), and not assuming a superior position over our opponents. We must show them that by our fruits we are different.

Amen to that.

 

[fulbert4605]

It’s hard to evangelize to people who believe the Bible is corrupted.

Fortunately, though, we have Apostolic Tradition.

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich relates a story in which Jesus was coming to a town imminently. The Pharisees in the town said that if Jesus could cure this one blind man in the town who’d been blind his whole life (didn’t even have his irises) then they would believe. Jesus came to town and ended up curing this blind man so his eyes were physically normal and he could see. Some of the Pharisees were converted. But others’ hearts were so hardened they went on to accuse the man of faking his blindness his whole life.

This is why we need to pray for God to soften the hearts of men from within when words cannot suffice. But sometimes words can turn a person onto the right path. Proper evangelization should consist of a combination of private prayers paired with public preaching.

 

[domini_canus]

I think what the Pope would like to see us doing is more like what Domini Canus is up to… going into sites in which our views are not well represented.

I must warn anyone who is thinking about doing this: prepare to be brutalized.

 

[wapsi]

I must warn anyone who is thinking about doing this: prepare to be brutalized.

Oh, yes.

I’ve had some limited experience doing this and find that humility helps a lot. An evangelist is far more likely to incur wrath if they come across as self-righteous and condemning. This won’t stop some of the most embittered, or the more arrogant, from attacking you. But gently acknowledging one’s own faults (and perhaps the faults of other Christians) and the harm done by some Christians (perhaps even to one’s attacker) will often help soothe the waters.

 

[domini_canus]

Good point.

As D.C. Talk said at the beginning of one of their songs, “The greatest single cause of atheism today in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. *That *is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

People have a hard time separating the bad things some Catholics have done with the person of Jesus Christ and the Church he has established, with its central doctrines that preach salvation and love.

 

[Dranu]

But, how can we take this a step further to evangelize in other forums/chat rooms, without being like people who come here and slam us with with OSAS rhetoric?

Truth speaks for itself. Just be charitable if they ever blast you and point out their errors if you can. My dealings are primarily with atheist rather than OSAS though.

Also, I should think at least a small study into philosophy would be in order. I find this helps a lot, for you would be surprised just how logical and interconnected the faith can be. That alone is an extremely powerful testament to the modern atheist in my opinion (especially those who pretend to worship reason). Reading some Plato, St. Augustine, St. Anselm, and so forth can be very helpful in this. I say stick to the Socratic method (charitable questions and answers while admitting your own supreme ignorance) unless asked otherwise.

Trust in the conclusions of the Church, but understand you might be ignorant to demonstrate them. Remember, true Wisdom is keeping an eye toward God, not having a large cranial capacity (be it either memory retention or calculative prowess.) .

Even if philosophy is not your thing, I also find even presenting the actual teachings of the Church is sometimes huge evangelization in itself removed from philosophical arguments. There is a HUGE plethora of misconceptions of the Church that pass as common knowledge these days.

Sirach 1:
“22 Among wisdom’s treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the LORD is an abomination to the sinner. 23 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the LORD will bestow her upon you; 24 For fear of the LORD is wisdom and culture; loyal humility is his delight.”

And on some philosophy:

Sirach 3:
“22 With what is too much for you meddle not, when shown things beyond human understanding. 23 Their own opinion has misled many, and false reasoning unbalanced their judgment.”
-a way to remove your opinion from it is the Socratic method

Sirach 5:
“13 Be swift to hear, but slow to answer. 14 If you have the knowledge, answer your neighbor; if not, put your hand over your mouth.”
-Of course evangelization means more than just speaking