"SOCIAL NETWORKS: PORTALS OF TRUTH AND FAITH; NEW SPACES FOR EVANGELIZATION"

Some Reflections

on the Message of Pope Benedict XVI

for the 47th World Communications Day

THE NEW DIGITAL AGE (ERIC SCHMIDT & JARED COHEN, 2013)

The Internet, the world’s largest ungoverned space.

Communications technology has advanced in an unprecedented rate in the 20th Century (from 350 Million online users to 2 Billion; from 750 Million mobile phone users to 6 Billion).

We project the reality that in the near future the 8 Billion people on earth will be online.

DO YOU KNOW THAT….

6 Billion Photos on FLICKER7 Billion Photos in PICASA9 Billion Photos in PHOTOBUCKET100 Billion Photos on FACEBBOOK1 Trillion YOUTUBE Playbacks in

20114 Billion YOUTUBE Playbacks in a

Day

BUT DO YOU ALSO REALIZE THAT…

In 2007, there are 4,200,000 porn websites, which is 12% of the total websites in the internet.

72,000,000 visitors to porn websites in the world monthly; of which 28% are women, and 72% are men.

42.7 % of internet users view internet pornography.

MORE SHOCKING STATISTICS….

Annual revenue of porn websites is $US 57 billion; Child pornography alone generates $US 3 Billion annually.

90% of young people view porn online while doing homework.

And millions of people all over the world engage in online gambling which is a multi-billion dollar industry from the US alone.

POPE BENEDICT XVI

“Unfortunately, though, they risk being transformed into systems aimed at subjecting humanity to agendas dictated by the dominant interests of the day. This is what happens when communication is used for ideological purposes or for the aggressive advertising of consumer products. While claiming to represent reality, it can tend to legitimize or impose distorted models of personal, family or social life.” (Message on 42nd World’s Communications Day, #. 2, 2008)

CRITICAL CHALLENGE

Yes, the E-Revolution has numerous positive contributions, but they have

also turned out for the worse….

Can we use social networks as Portals of Truth and Faith, as New Spaces

for Evangelization rather than digital tools for evil and sin?

FROM INFORMATION TO KNOWLEDGE

“The exchange of information can become true communication, links ripen into friendships, and connections facilitate communion. If the networks are called to realize this great potential, the people involved in them must make an effort to be authentic since, in these spaces, it is not only ideas and information that are shared, but ultimately our very selves.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

Can social networking deepen

my knowledge of self and others?

FROM COMMUNICATION TO COMMUNION

“Social networks are the result of human interaction, but for their part they also reshape the dynamics of communication which builds relationships: a considered understanding of this environment is therefore the prerequisite for a significant presence there.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

Can social networking be an instrument of deeper communion with others,

building communities and enhance my

communion with God?

FROM FREE EXPRESSION TO EVANGELIZATION

“In social networks, believers show their authenticity by sharing the profound source of their hope and joy: faith in the merciful and loving God revealed in Christ Jesus. This sharing consists not only in the explicit expression of their faith, but also in their witness, in the way in which they communicate ‘choices, preferences and judgments that are fully consistent with the Gospel…’” (Pope Benedict XVI)

Can social networking motivate me to

evangelize myself and others?

SOME PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN SOCIAL NETWORKING:

Communicating Truth, Truthfulness and Trustworthiness.

Bridging Gaps and Building Relationships.

Knowing and Sharing the Faith.

“In the digital world there are social networks which offer our contemporaries opportunities for prayer, meditation and sharing the word of God…. There should be no lack of coherence or unity in the expression of our faith and witness to the Gospel in whatever reality we are called to live, whether physical or digital. When we are present to others, in any way at all, we are called to make known the love of God to the furthest ends of the earth.” (Pope Benedict XVI)