The Web, as a medium, is neutral. Like other communication methods (TV, Video, Radio, Books and Magazines, Telephone or the Postal Service), it has no intrinsic moral attributes. The Internet can be used for bad or good. In a fallen world, where easy money can be made by exploiting people, we must expect that the web will often be used for evil purposes.
It is certainly unfortunate that governments have not taken sufficient action to counter wrong uses of the Web. And because the Internet is a sort of worldwide library that gives access to anyone, anything, anywhere, in seconds the dangers and temptations are real.
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY
1. E-mail
The email ‘spam’ (unrequested junk mail) situation has gone beyond crazy. Spam emails often offer pornography. There are many solutions to minimize this problem. Your Internet provider probably offers a filtering solution. You can also set up the email program within your computer to filter directly, to trash any email containing defined words or phrases. There are also add-on email services available (such as Spam Arrest), which only allow through to your email from people whom you have approved as recipients. Similar systems specifically for parents to use with their children are also available. These approval gateways virtually guarantee you will receive no spam at all.
However, if you need to offer email address widely to people, hoping that they will write to you for help or ministry, email ‘approval systems’ may confuse them and a certain percentage may never submit them to be approved.
If you have a website, never display any email address within the site as ‘mailto’ links. These can easily be harvested by automated software, and sold to spammers. Instead, offer site visitors a ‘contact form’ to fill in online, properly set up these completely, hide your email address and keep it safe from ‘harvesters’.
2. Websites
It is frighteningly easy to find pornography online, and a Christianity Today study found that 40% of ministers admitted to such access. Pornography is completely addictive, and it is a thousand times harder to escape from, than never start. Be aware that the times of greatest temptation may be when you are tired, lonely, or away from home. There are two ways of safeguarding yourself and your family:
Filtering
Some Internet companies offer filtered Internet access which blocks access to the overwhelming majority of porn sites. Alternatively you can buy an add-on filtering and continue to use your existing internet provider. Inevitably, these systems cannot completely block everything, and in the process may also block legitimate sites too. If you have young children who use the Web on their own, these may give you some peace of mind.
Accountability Software
You can install this on your computer. It sends an email report of all the websites accessed by that computer each week to an ‘accountability partner someone you trust Knowing that this is happening is a powerful disincentive to viewing inappropriate materials. Some Jewish organizations require all their members use this software.
Covenant Eyes [www.covenanteyes.com] is highly recommended. Also available are the free X3 Watch [www.x3watch.com) and Accountable 2U [www.accountable2you.com).
Key verse, Job 3:14: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl” We are in a spiritual battle. Remember the parallel with terrorist attacks. “A terrorist group only needs to ‘get lucky once to succeed, whereas counter terrorism forces must ‘get lucky 100 percent of the time. You may think you are at risk, and then one day, you are tired, low defenses, away from home… Or you may already be struggling with this problem.
We urge Assemblies, Congregations, Jewish organizations (as well as individuals) to face up to the danger, and consider accountability software as being an essential requirement for their staff. It should not be deemed as suggesting a lack of trust; any more than wearing of car seat- belts implies that the driver is unsafe. It is just a common-sense acknowledgement of the frailty of the lone computer user, and that we have an enemy who wishes to compromise our effectiveness, damage our marriages, and warp our perception of the opposite gender.
Young People
Young people using the Web in any context, including chat room evangelism, should be trained never to tell people their home address and phone numbers, and never to meet face-to-face and alone with anyone they have contacted online.
Of course, it may he appropriate for young people to meet chat room evangelism contacts if they live locally, but this is best done with two people going together to meet the contact in a public place teg a cafel, preferably first consulting with an older Congregation leader about the meeting.
More Resources
Do not underestimate the temptations you may face, or that the wider assembly must address:
Safe Families [hup://safefamilies.techmission.org/] TechMission have put together a big range of tutorials and resources, which can be used by the individuals, or built into a seminar presentation.
Cybersex Temptation [www.christianitytoday.co/ mp/2000/003/12.28.html]something if it is passed on fromwritten several years ago, it is increasingly valid. How Many Porn Addicts Are There In Your Church? [www.crosswalk.com/faith/ pastors/1336107.html] article from Crosswalk.com.
X3church [www.xxxchurch.com] offers advise and help for believers and non believers, in a lively upfront manner. They are also encouraging congregations worldwide to hold a focus day to highlight the problem.
Are Things True? Plus Identify Theft
A different issue for believers and the Internet is the passing on of information which may not be true. We tend to believe something if it is passed from a known Believer source. Yet, of course, they picked it up from somewhere else! There are many inspirational stories being presented as true in sermons, devotionals, etc. To pick two at random: that a young Alexander Fleming was rescued by Winston Churchill when he was also young or the illustration of a bridge operator who had to drop the river bridge because the train was coming, even though his young son was trapped in the gears. Both are totally untrue. Sure, the bridge story might be used as a parable, but not as a true story. Even the oft-repeated story of how eagles teach young to fly, has been copied to many a website and devotional as a metaphor. Unfortunately, that’s not true either they do not do it that way!
Then there are imaginary petitions, health warnings, lost children, virus alerts. Never pass on anything unless there is a reputable website giving latest, dated, verifiable news on the situation referred to. Learn how to asses [www.media- awareness.ca/English/resources Church/educational/handouts/internet/ 5ws cyberspace.cfm] any site’s credibility.
Be aware also of spam Phishing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing) emails, which ask you to ‘verify’ or update change your online banking, eBay or PayPal identities/passwords. Some pretend to be EBay complaints or ‘confirmation’ of supposed PayPal purchases you never made. Never, ever, reply to these. (MZ).
-Akinpelu Taiwo
