Stanley Chirayil

Me? A Missionary? Not yet! I am only a youth worker who knows the world is a mission field and feels interested to do my part. But How?

The world is a dangerous and hostile place for Christians. Travelling physically or on virtual highways may pose moral risks. Many people go to the interest in search of fullfilment. Usually, lonely and isolated people surf the information networks hoping to find something to give them a reason for being in the mission field in which ever they are

We have strategies about how to penetrate the intreasing isolation of individuals in our society. Television allows us to communicate "to" them but not "with" them. Perhaps the Internet offers us access into lives that are isolated from a vital gospel message. Like God's call to an estranged Adam, we might echo to those hiding, lonely people, "Adam, where are you?"

Like a coin has two sides to it, The Internet also offers positive as well as negative certainties. If the Roman technology helped first-century christians spread the gospel, the internet may be the "gospel road" of this new millennium. At the same time, this highway of information threatens thequieter lifestyle we have enjoyed. Some have even suggested this system way be a step towards the coming of the Antichrist.

The modern technology on the so called information age will surely have an impact on us to some degree. As the individual starts gaining access to the remote corners of the world, exposure to foreign beliefs and practices become eminent. Several New Testament passages warn against the influence of pagan cultures on christians. Imagine travelling to corinth. And seeing the temple prostitutes standing in street corners exposing themselves and inviting newcomers to sample their way of worshiping Aphrodite. I believe these scenes could rival or outlive any x-rated production of anytime produced from any part of the world.

Keeping these aspects in mind we should be careful how we will approach the new scenario of the information age or the internet usage. The internet can be dangerous in two ways : by bringing unwanted images or knowledge into our home, and by spurring the creation of unhealthy new relationships and identities.

It is most common to simply stumble into explicit material on theNet. But for those who are looking for it, access can be immediate. Families must decide before going online how the computer will fit into their homelife. If you would never allow your child to have cable T.V. in his room, neither should you allow him to private internet access. The computer not ought to be a private retreat, rather it should be located in the most public room of the house, so there is accountability to the large social unit. Parents should make sure that the children don't sign in without their knowledge.

The annonimity of the individual makes the internet very famous. Just as a businessman on a trip alone is more likely to stumble into sin because the normal social boundaries don't accompany him to his hotel room, inthe same manner the internet presents an opportunity to forget who one really is and create a new identity. In chat rooms, where people gather to have online conversations, christians may fall into on appropriate relationships because of the anonymous nature of the encounter. Online, nobody knows a thing about you beforehand; you build your own identity from ground zero. (Also the people you meet may not show you their true face).

What may ensue is a bizarre trip through an online masquerade party where people become emotionally involved with one another over a long period of time and end up wrecking their real life relationship. But Born_Again-Christians must realise their actbefore entering into a cyberspace to act appropriately if ever they come in contact with the forbidden sights.

On the same time for a born_again christian who wants to involve himself into the Lord's ministry can do so in an excellent manner because it offers a lot of valuable information which a person could not get from any library. Though chat rooms we can communicate with different kinds of people (cast culture, religion) and introduce to them the love of Christ, which was shed o n the cross of calvary. We can also introduce ourselves to good christian friends who can strengthen our beliefs and also answer to us questions which were unanswered till yesterday. Annonimity being the keyfeature, we can address any type of question. These are some of the unique qualities the internet provides for its users. Here we are the master of our expedition and the world is our backyard. We can make or destroy the background which is now at our finger tips.

God's judgement is due, on those who are going astray from moral values let's try to educate our new friends from the internet, that "The wages of sin is death". It would take a lot of courage for an individual to stand on the rock of Christ and fight against the current wave of internet. As Apostle Paul says, those who succeed would be glorified into His kingdom.