Smile: 10 commandments for the digital age

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm by Deacon Greg Kandra

Smile: 10 commandments for the digital age 2016-09-30T15:54:22-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

From The Telegraph:

It might seem far removed from some of its more sombre instructions to the faithful over the centuries.

But the Roman Catholic Church has issued advice to its followers on how to use the internet – and given an unlikely stamp of ecclesiastical approval to the use of the humble smiley face.

In a new 10 Commandments for the internet age, Catholics are being urged to make use of “digital smiles” in postings on Twitter and Facebook as well as emails and text messages.

The guidelines follow a call from Pope Francis for Catholics to take the church’s message out “into digital highways”.

In an echo of the original 10 Commandments, the instructions warn the faithful never to “bear false witness on the internet”.

But there are also injunctions against “preachiness” in online postings or being judgmental towards others in messages in internet forums or social networking sites.

The guidance is outlined in a message by one of the most senior Catholic clerics in the British Isles, Archbishop Eamon Martin, the incoming Archbishop of Armagh and future Primate of All Ireland.

In a reflection about the rise of modern communications, the Archbishop likens the internet to St Paul’s impressions of first century Athens in which people appeared to do “nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas”.

“I see the internet as being like the ‘new Athens’, new marketplace or Areopagus, a ‘global village’ to be won for Christ,” he said.

The 10 Commandments:

1: Be positive and joyful. Offer ‘digital smiles’ and have a sense of humour.

Strictly avoid aggression and ‘preachiness’ online; try not to be judgmental or polemical.

Never bear false witness on the internet.

Fill the internet with charity and love, always giving rather than taking.

Have a broad back when criticisms and insults are made – when possible, gently correct.

Pray in the digital world. Establish sacred spaces, opportunities for stillness, reflection and meditation.

Establish connections, relationships and build communion.

Educate our young to keep themselves safe and to use the internet responsibly.

Witness to human dignity at all times online. We are well aware of the pervasive prevalence of pornography on the internet which can ‘pollute the spirit’.

Be missionary, be aware that with the help of the internet, a message has the potential to reach the ends of the earth in seconds.

There’s more. Read it all.

Blogging

Media

Previous Post

May 21, 2014

Homily on the suicide of a priest: "Our God is merciful, loving, compassionate and forgiving"

Next Post

May 21, 2014 Can EMHCs give blessings during communion?—UPDATED

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "Mad Men" 9/11 advent All Things New Amazing video amazing videos amazon america Anglicans Anti-Catholicism art ascension thursday ash wednesday Atheists baltimore Bible Bishops Blogging bonnie engstrom Books bridgeport Brooklyn Chaplains children christian art christmas Church Churches CNEWA Converts criticism Deacons Death Penalty easter eastern christian Eastern Christians Ecumenism Education education Eucharist Europe euthanasia Evangelization Exorcism Family Feasts Gay rights Good Friday Great links Great Moments in Journalism Hanging with the saints heather renshaw Hispanic Catholics Hispanics History homelies Homilies Humor Hymn of the Week Immigration indianapolis Inspiration Interfaith news ireland Jesus Jews Journalism Judaism lent Liturgy logos Marriage Mary Media Medical news Mental health Middle East Monks Movies Music Muslims My world and welcome to it New Evangelization new york News Nuns Parenting Parish life peoria Persecution politics Politics Pope pope francis pope john paul Prayer Preaching Priests Pro-life Quote of the day radio rebecca frech ripp Ripped from the headlines rippred from the headlines Sacraments saints Scripture sex abuse Sex abuse crisis SEX ABUSE CRISIS TAGGED WITH: SEX ABUSE CRISIS The people in the pews the visitation project theatre This & that Thomas Merton Trappists TV Uncategorized uncategorized VATICAN Vatican vocation Vocations Voices & Views Women Worth a thousand words Writing Year of Faith year of mercy young people

Select a Month December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Christian group is known for practicing strict nonviolence?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Lutherans Methodists Mennonites Presbyterians

Books by This Author Books by Deacon Greg Kandra

See All Titles »