Pope Benedict XVI Warns of Internet Conformity, Urges Critical Thought

by Matthew Zuras on April 26, 2010 at 02:04 PM

Pope Benedict XVI (who loves the Internet, but is wishy-washy when it comes to abuse allegations) says that we need to be more critical of the information we get from the Web. The Pontiff recently said at the Italian Bishops' Conference that Net surfers ought to be wary of the "dangers of conformity, of control, of moral and intellectual relativism, which can already be recognized in the decline of critical spirit." These are somewhat shocking words coming from the infallible figurehead of one of the world's more dogmatic faiths. But wait, didn't Martin Luther nail his 'Ninety-Five Theses' at Castle Church because of the moral relativism of selling indulgences? Eh, maybe we're splitting hairs here.

But the surprisingly radical proclamation by the Pope should be taken to heart, nonetheless. As the Internet expands, and as media sources converge through syndication and link-sharing, the Long Tail appears to be shrinking. And this proclamation by the Pope speaks to very real concerns about misinformation and echo-chamber effects in Internet news. As an avid user of the Web himself (having spearheaded the Vatican's YouTube channel and encouraged Church officials to get online more regularly), the Pope has probably come across some "conformity" of thought on the Internet. Or, perhaps this is a side-stepping way to say, effectively, "Don't believe what you read about the Church." Either way, critical vigilance is always good in our book. [From: Stuff.co.nz]

Tags: behavior, catholic, internet, media, pope, PopeBenedictXvi, religion, top, web

Comments

ShakaMay 5th 2010 5:50PM

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Excellent timing Pope!

I wouldn't want to be taking seriously what I read about the Church online during a time of great scandal or anything......

That would be blasphemous.

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KevinMay 6th 2010 2:34AM

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"who loves the Internet" - Assuming you're referring to its potential for wider communication, look up the organization that built the world's first transnational shortwave radio system in 1930. Hint: "marconi" Wow, shortwave in 1930. How backward, huh?

"we need to be more critical of the information we get from the Web." Actually, Benedict is referring to the discarded habit of critical thinking in general, which he has referred to since before his election five years ago, including as 'the dictatorship of relativism.' Clearly you're abjectly unfamiliar with Benedict's writing. Try a little more broadly critical thinking, perhaps? Maybe a smidgen of research on your subject rather than a cut'n'paste from the media narratives pool? Rookie mistake.

"These are somewhat shocking words coming from the infallible figurehead of one of the world's more dogmatic faiths." Shocking? Get a computer. Don't you have Google in New Zealand? Try "benedict dictatorship relativism." You've already had five years. Catch up, already.

"because of the moral relativism of selling indulgences" I don't know how that bonus slap fits into your editorial mandate, but it definitely fits into the category of anti-Catholic narrative. Congratulations on your mastery of cut and paste, Mr. Judge of all Critical Thinking.

Your LAME attempt at oh-so-slyly ironic anti-Catholic bigotry; now, THAT'S wishy washy. Simony has always been a direct violation of Canon law, not to mention moral law and in some places, secular laws. That's why Luther was absolutely correct to object to an objective evil. By contrast, Galileo was absolutely wrong to teach as fact a causality he had no scientific proof for, some of which was scientifically disproved. The Church objected to his ego-driven abandonment of scientific principle and practice. His friends told him to keep his big fat scientist mouth shut because he wasn't a theologian, and they were right because he wasn't. Of course, doesn't fit in the approved "Galileo vs Church" media narrative sound-bite database, so... decode THAT irony.

You need to learn the difference between "the organization" and "the individual." No act of evil or good has ever been carried out by any organization because acts can only be done by the human individual. Without individuals, there is no organization, because there can be no acts. Try charging a bar with drunken driving. Organizations have no hands and feet. If this were untrue, the United States would be irretrievably evil because some of its individuals once carried out the Mei Lei Massacre.

At least we agree on the need for more critical thinking. You should try it sometime.

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