Internet discussion

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Some one wrote concerning the availability of pornography on the net.
This may be a little too strong for some.
Now whiles I do not support that idea of letting one look at those
things, I think we may have the beginnings of the wrong approach to the
problem. If you have a tick you do not kill the cat(dog). You take
precautions that the cat(dog) does not get further ticks, correct? Also
we see the lack of control of what is said here, just because the Pastors
have no idea what medium is enjoined here.
If we take the use of the major on-lines for the basis of discussion of a
out and out ban then I am afraid that many have made up their minds that
the internet is full of pedophiles, perverts, and other wackos. This was
my opinion on most of the major on-lines that I have tried. And I did so
in this order- AOL, Compuserve, AOL, Genie, Prodigy, AOl, Compuserve,
Prodigy,AOL, AT&T Worldnet.(AOL kept wanting me to try 10 free hours and
now 20 free so I did to download tons of freeware and to use the web. The
bells and whistles did not impress me and I have cancelled my 8th
membership with them. Cool free games for my daughter do help keep her
busy) 
I have seen some interesting happenings online. I am known as "Munchkin"
in the Chat areas and the propositions I first received were entirely
disgusting. This is one main reason that I did not stay with some of the
onlines is that there was no protocol, and no enforcement of the protocol
in place. On the postitive though, I chatted with one lady who now is
baptised in Jesus name and attends a Apostolic church and is endeavoring
toward holiness (she had already received the Holy Ghost some years ago).
I am sure that we will see many other stories of conversations.
The main reason that I cancelled the onlines that I tried was that there
was not any worthwhile use that I could see. I saw a lot of TV and MTV
areas but not any that seemed to be edifying or of use in the local
church. I was also convicted. Yes, it does still happen that we are
convicted. I can talk to anyone via computer yet my neighbor does not
come to service with me. This is due to the impersonal mature of the
computer. I am not imtimidated by the fact that I can not see you wince
when I mention Jesus over the screen. Also the other person as well seems
to be open to discussion sooner than face to face. I am in sales so I am
not just talking out of my hat. The steps are taken sooner here, thus the
soon sucesses we see here.
On the other hand, we can see the use of the media here to the damnation
of many. The TV culture makes it hard to say don't look on TV, but we
still do take the stand that TV is wrong. Also the argument was stated
earlier that we will have to ban bookstores, in accordance to the fact
that they sell no so clean books. How finely put, and I am thinking now
about the new Barnes & Nobles bookstores that have 8 foot of books I am
careful not to let my daughter see and I am also careful to stay clear of
the characters I have seen in that section. The internet has some
wonderful areas and if used properly can be a great help. The reasons we
use for TV do apply though since that this can waste a lot of time.
The use of the internet to set up immortal meetings does raise a new
wrinkle here. I can see potential here and yes the wolf with the blood
was a good analogy, Bro Bassett. The man who delves in that animal will
see some problems soon. Paul's advise was good in that it is better to
marry than to burn. And I have to think that the pulpit is the place to
talk of this ideal of old-fashioned  yet time tested ideals that are
worthy of acceptance in God's sight. 
Our response will make us the trend settter of the new age or the
ridicule of all. As I have said before this one needs some rational
thought on all angles and much prayer. I do not usually post this long of
a note, but I think we need some open discussion. 

Brian Berger
Manchester, NH
Brian_Berger@JUNO.COM