DUCK
I recently had a conversation with some friends of mine.
During this conversation a particular website was brought up.. at which point I shook my head, covered my face, and laughed due to mild disbelief and shock.
I had completely forgotten about this site and have not visited this site in a long time, but apparently it still exists.
The basic concept of the site is to ensure that sheltered christians remain as innocent as doves while being as "plugged in" as a fetus. If you didn't catch it, I just referenced the website.... "Plugged In Online" created by "Focus on the Family""
Their mission statement is summarized as "shining a light on the world of popular entertainment"
for simplicity's sake, I will focus on the movie review portion of their site.
PROS
This site is meant to review media and it's content, allowing for people to be aware of what you might be viewing should you see a particular movie. The site will typically begin with a quick synopsis of the movie and then move into a content description with categories such as; "Positive elements, spiritual content, sexual content, violent content, crude or profane language, and drug and alcohol content" The review will typically end with the critics overall opinion of the film.
CONS
Nearly every movie review over a "G" rating can be summarized the same way... something like this,
"Would have been and amazing movie if it didn't have that worldly influence... what a shame... what a dirty, dirty shame... skip this one"
Ok, maybe that's not entirely accurate...some of the "G" rated movies are reviewed this way too. (that was a joke... take it easy)
Really though, this is what I think are the negative aspects of this online tool. I am not opposed to having movie and music reviews done from a christian perspective and there is some great potential in this whole thing... the problem comes when it perpetuates the ever increasing physical and cultural separation between those who follow Christ, and those who don't. Though christians have been called to a different standard of living we have also been engage with those outsideof the walls of the church... even if it means we hear a swear word or two.
This website seems to focus on a specific demographic, I might be wrong but it is probably used mainly by conservative christians, or conservative christians with children they would like to protect and likely have a fear of engaging with "the world".
I am not super conservative and I don't have children, so I might perceive this site differently than it's intended audience... but, this is what i see as a potential shortcoming of the site...
We live in a story-telling culture. One of the main ways that we now tell stories is through media... whether books, music, or film... it is now how we express our beliefs and values as a people. If what this tool does is mainly keep people from hearing others stories because their content causes fear, than I argue that we are disengaging from hearing the stories of the very people, as christians, we have been called to connect with.
DUCK
If you like YouTube but fear sinners, then you'll love...
GodTube
PROS
free online videos intended to offer a positive message.
CONS
I see this site as the "testamints" of the internet.
It is nearly a comical parody of YouTube , and I am not sure it is necesary to slap a "jesus fish" on an already existing website. Many, if not all of the videos presented on GodTube are also available on YouTube. It disengages from the culture at large... A bright light doesn't make much of an impact in an illuminated room but watch what happens in the midst of darkness, in the same way, I think a better use of the time and energy of people who care about GodTube would be to focus their energy in the YouTube world and share their videos and opinions there. One of the YouTube features that draws attention and and allows for dialogue is the "comments" section, and I think that would be a better place to respectfully share opinions.
Pretty self explanatory, but once again... an example of what I think is an unnecessary segregation between the christian sub-culture and the culture it is supposed to be influencing.
GRAY DUCK
Our third example looks a little different than the last two.
Musician Derek Webb is the founder of an online music site called noisetrade.
It is a revolutionary tool where fans can listen to and download good music for free... legally.
PROS
Although Derek is a Christian, the website is not limited to only christian artists! Oh my! Instead, it is a venue where artists are able to get their name and music spread to people who appreciate it and will likely support and promote them in the future. It used to allow you to choose either telling 5 friends about the artist or paying what you want, but recently changed to download for free or pay what you'd like as a tip.
A christian artist founded a website that is beneficial to the music community while at the same time progressive.. and it does not go against christian values. weird.
CONS
There are not enough christian influenced sites like this...
This is something I would like to see more of. It is an example of christians providing a new way of doing things.. using our creativity and gifts to benefit others, being leaders in the arts and using our passions to show a different way. I think that we have for too long limited ourselves to the DUCK approach... which is basically doing the same things as everyone else, just not as good and in a sheltered environment. we need more GRAY DUCK ways of thinking... where we look different but it is good because we are the ones moving ahead and making a difference.
So, I recommend that you check all three of these sites out, I am admittedly quite critical, and there are probably some good things about all three if you are looking to find them.... but still i look forward to the time where there are more GRAY DUCKS out there... know of any others?
I know my initial review of the sites was pretty harsh, if you had the chance to read them, and some of it was intentionally over the top, and I am not trying to bash christians for standing up in their beliefs.
I am trying to get the candles out of the fully illuminated rooms and into the darkness where they make a difference, and trying to encourage the salt to come out of the ocean. The more that talented christians use their gifts in the larger society, which is a culture consisting of an unchristian majority, the more potential there is to have a positive influence and to actually shine lights in dark places. The first two sites, while very similar to other online sites, are an example of a christian site that is hoping to reach a majority christian audience... this in and of itself is not a bad thing.. It becomes a bad thing when the majority of sites by christians are aimed at christians, which is what has in fact happened... even my blog, momentum, falls into this category. The third site is aimed at a larger majority but still has christian influence and in the long run has a greater potential to reach people who are not proclaimed christians. This is what I think we need more of if we are to be effective in ministry.
Pretty sure it's Duck, Duck, Goose.
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