The pope wants to SHUT DOWN this forum?

philiporeilly

The Pope warned yesterday about the internet that it carries a risk of control and conformity of thought.

He said "the dangers of conformity, of control, of moral and intellectual relativism, which can already be recognised in the decline of critical spirit".

While I agree that the internet poses certain risks, conformity of thought was hardly one of them. In fact, I believe that the internet where freely available has given an unprecedented level of freedom of speech and thought.

That freedom is what poses a risk to the hierarchy of the church and why they are speaking out.

Ciaran500

http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/pope-warns-about-dangers-of-internet-455227.html

Benedict XVI said that while the internet is egalitarian and creates the opportunity to be informed and stay connected, it also comes with risks.

He also mentioned the “dangers of conformity, of control, of moral and intellectual relativism, which can already be recognised in the decline of critical spirit”.

Theres no story here and he doesn't want to close this forum and he didn't say the internet creates a conformity of thought.

philiporeilly

Ciaran500 wrote: »

http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/pope-warns-about-dangers-of-internet-455227.html

Benedict XVI said that while the internet is egalitarian and creates the opportunity to be informed and stay connected, it also comes with risks.

He also mentioned the “dangers of conformity, of control, of moral and intellectual relativism, which can already be recognised in the decline of critical spirit”.

Theres no story here and he doesn't want to close this forum and he didn't say the internet creates a conformity of thought.

Of course he may not have meant this forum but he was warning against the dangers of conformity. This is hardly something associated with the internet....

I doubt the pope has ever used a computer, much less the internet.

Fanny Cradock

I've received no personal correspondence from the Pope, so I'm going to guess that he doesn't want this forum SHUT DOWN. As for conformity of thought, I think that there is some substance to his words, and the internet is littered with examples. That's why, for example, we have specific forums on Boards, which I suggest is on the milder end of the conformity scale. Of course, if we then approach the extreme end we will find right-wing echo chambers such as Stormfront Ireland. Perhaps you should listen to the debate posted here.

philiporeilly

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

I've received no personal correspondence from the Pope, so I'm going to guess that he doesn't want this forum SHUT DOWN. As for conformity of thought, I think that there is some substance to his words, and the internet is littered with examples. That's why, for example, we have specific forums on Boards, which I suggest is on the milder end of the conformity scale. Of course, if we then approach the extreme end we will find right-wing echo chambers such as Stormfront Ireland. Perhaps you should listen to the debate posted here.

While I completely disagree with any right-wing policies, you can hardly blame a minuscule percentage of the internet for conformity. In fact, their freedom of speech, no matter how much you disagree with their views is the complete opposite of conformity.

Conformity of thought was something that was bred in to "good catholics", i.e. do and live how we say and never question the church hierarchy. The internet, where freely available, has given an unprecedented level of freedom of speech.

Now why doesn't the pope focus on and praise what good the majority of the internet does? Seems fair when the church criticises others for tarring all priests over the actions of a tiny percentage.

Fanny Cradock

philiporeilly wrote: »

While I completely disagree with any right-wing policies, you can hardly blame a minuscule percentage of the internet for conformity. In fact, their freedom of speech, no matter how much you disagree with their views is the complete opposite of conformity.

Conformity of thought was something that was bred in to "good catholics", i.e. do and live how we say and never question the church hierarchy. The internet, where freely available, has given an unprecedented level of freedom of speech.

You have a negative association with conformity. Why? We are not rebels all the time.

It seems to me that the Pope is talking about a certain type of conformity - the echo chamber effect that I was talking about. It is alive and well across the internet. For example, take a listen to the link I suggested. Of course, one could throw the claim back on religious forums and accuse the faithful of not using critical thought etc., etc. You know, the usual!

It's not that lack of opinion is ever a problem on the internet. That isn't the issue. I gather that he is pointing out that people can be swept along into the type of on-line communities that he sees as having an unhealthy level of group think. So it is not a million miles away from your criticism of the "something that was bred in to 'good catholics'".

philiporeilly wrote: »

Now why doesn't the pope focus on and praise what good the majority of the internet does? Seems fair when the church criticises others for tarring all priests over the actions of a tiny percentage.

Because he is highlighting the potential negative effects If you see a potential harm then you mention it. Ignoring it because you want to say nice things goes against your conscience, no? I can't understand your logic.

Michaelrsh

philiporeilly wrote: »

The Pope warned yesterday about the internet that it carries a risk of control and conformity of thought.

He said "the dangers of conformity, of control, of moral and intellectual relativism, which can already be recognised in the decline of critical spirit".

While I agree that the internet poses certain risks, conformity of thought was hardly one of them. In fact, I believe that the internet where freely available has given an unprecedented level of freedom of speech and thought.

That freedom is what poses a risk to the hierarchy of the church and why they are speaking out.

Don't question the Pope, how dare you! The Pope is infallible!

PDN

No he doesn't.

Epic fail on the thread title.

vodafoneproblem

philiporeilly wrote: »

The Pope warned yesterday about the internet that it carries a risk of control and conformity of thought.

He said "the dangers of conformity, of control, of moral and intellectual relativism, which can already be recognised in the decline of critical spirit".

While I agree that the internet poses certain risks, conformity of thought was hardly one of them. In fact, I believe that the internet where freely available has given an unprecedented level of freedom of speech and thought.

That freedom is what poses a risk to the hierarchy of the church and why they are speaking out.

Sounds like he has a point, to me. It's difficult to be any way religious in Real Life, these days, in somewhere like Ireland or Britain. (Or Western Europe in general, probably.) It's 10 times harder to be religious online, ime. Because all the 'cool people' are making macros about spaghetti monsters and how silly religion is, etc, and most people tag along to try to fit in or get a mod position. I genuinely blame pop atheist leaders like Richard ''small-brained' Dawkins and his psycho buddy Hitchens. Neither of them have a clue about the real arguments towards religion but, alas, neither do most of their audience. Case in point: 'The Gentleman's Club' on boards.ie. Now, it started off pretty neutral, from what I saw, and I thought I might go in there and have a chat. Nowadays? Full of liberal bluster and woe betide anyone who goes against the flow so I wouldn't even bother posting there. It amuses me that someone is taking opinions there at the moment to gauge Men's opinions on a topic to get her Masters.

I hope she knows the limitations of her audience and her survey, and so does her supervisor!

Zombrex

Just before anyone else gets in there I'm claiming all exclusive right to this in order to write my Dan Brown-esque triller about a lonely atheist nerd on the internet fighting a vast Catholic conspiracy.

I may or may not include an anti-matter explosion above Vatican city.

I'm going to call it "Billy and the Catholic Conspiracy".

prinz

Wicknight wrote: »

Just before anyone else gets in there I'm claiming all exclusive right to this in order to write my Dan Brown-esque triller about a lonely atheist nerd on the internet fighting a vast Catholic conspiracy.

I may or may not include an anti-matter explosion above Vatican city.

I'm going to call it "Billy and the Catholic Conspiracy".

Maybe he's also Dutch and has a magic white horse? Just brainstorming here :pac: