| |
| |
|
Religion Information | Mommy Home Jobs |
|
|
|
Religious Tolerance and the Internet
The internet is a great resource of information on all kinds of topics, including religion. Unfortunately, there is also no shortage of religious intolerance and just plain bad information on the internet as well. Of course, even generally trusted sources of information such as dicitonaries, encyclopedias, and textbooks contain some errors. As an example, I have a Dictionary of Christianity which says that Lutherans believe in consubstantiation. However, if you ask a Lutheran pastor, he will say this is not true. Newspapers are presumably more likely to contain errors due to the fact that news stories develop quickly and they don't always have time to verify all of the information being presented before press time. With the internet, it is even more important to be discerning in what you read. Afterall, anybody with no training or credentials of any kind can self-publish on the internet. As a result, you will find all kinds of opinions on the internet, and lots of information being published with little or no effort to verify sources. As they say, "You can't believe everything you read." There's a supposedly Japanese version that goes like this: "If you believe everything you read, better not read." Of course, in our modern society it would be hard to get along without reading. So, it obviously would make more sense to adopt a few guidelines for reading in a discerning way to avoid being "taken in" by bad information. Below is an attempt at a few such guidelines with a particular focus on evaluating information regarding religious topics. 1) Consider the source. a. Is the author hostile toward the religion they are discussing? If so, they are probably not an unbiased and trustworthy source of information. b. Does the author go in for conspiracy theories? If so, they are probably easily duped by false information which they may then pass on to others. c. Is the author an apparently unbiased outsider? If so, much of their information may be from other outsiders, some of whom may be hostile, so they may be unknowingly spreading false information. d. Is the author a zealous insider? If so, they may be trying very hard to promote their own point of view with little regard to checking facts. e. Is the author an apparently unbiased insider? If so, the author may attempt to be unbiased, but may be influenced by information from other biased sources. 2) Check sources. a. Does the author tell you the source of his information? In most cases, the author is not the originator (primary source) of the information. If they don't give their sources, how can you verify that their sources are trustworthy? b. If the author has listed sources, who are those sources? Are they likely to be biased or unbiased? c. Some authors may include a very long list of sources in order to impress the reader, which also makes it harder to check all of them. Who has the time? If this is the case, try to determine which sources are the most important and check them first. 3) Verify accuracy. a. If possible, verify that the author has not misquoted his sources or taken them out of context. b. As much as possible, verify dates, facts, and figures. The author, Greg Bonney, is the owner of Bonney Information and E-Commerce and founder of Scoutcamping.com (http://www.scoutcamping.com). Copyright © 2005 Bonney Information and E-Commerce.
MORE RESOURCES:
Religion and the 2012 Presidential Race, Part I: Is Barack Obama a 'Born Again ... - Huffington Post
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
White Sun - Tao of Heaven. Showers of Wisdom ( Part 3 of 3 ) Everything one does in his life, irrespective of whether he remembers or not, is recorded in one's soul just like a memory bank of a computer. The images of these records create spiritual waves which resonate the spiritual waves of the others, irrespective of whether the others know that it is caused by you. Crucification Most of know how Jesus was crucified. Do we ever ask ourselves about the crucifying of our flesh? What it means and how do we accomplish it. Jesus is Lord: Lets Stop Usurping His Roles In five words Paul enunciates the basic principle of the Christian life: "You are not your own" (1 Cor. 6:19). Speaking of Speaking in Tongues A young bible college student once wrote and told me how the college she attends has been teaching that "speaking in tongues" is the sole evidence that one is filled with the Spirit and that no one WAS filled with the Spirit UNLESS they've spoken in tongues. Apparently, that didn't sit well with her and she wanted my opinion. Public Spectacle Do you sometimes wonder how did Jesus make a Public Spectacle of Satan? Well let's see what the Bible says. Look at Colossians 2:13 it says. String of Pearls -- A Call for Intercessors My wife had a vision recently of a string of pearls, adorning a bride at her wedding.The "pearls" were the pastors in a given region. Miracle Worker The power of the Holy Spirit is so profound it is truly a wonder, beyond human intelligence. Let's take a look at what the Bible says about miracles. Water Into Wine: The Meaning of Jesus First Miracle The second chapter of John's Gospel offers a most interesting account of the beginning of Jesus's ministry of miracles and teaching. Yet, where is John going with this, and why did he include it? But before we undertake to solve this mystery, let us first read the text in question. Church Building and Church Buildings Church building is a term used to designate both the physical building of a church facility, and the spiritual building of a group of people into a unified body of believers. The physical church buildings are made of wood, stone, mortar, and brick, but the act of spiritual church building comes at the cost of evangelism, preaching, and teaching. Churchless Christianity: A Move of God? There's another "move of God" that's sweeping the nations. Have you noticed? Very few of those I've spoken with actually have. We Are From Jesus Christ Most people wonder at one time or another where do we as humans come from, or how do we breathe. Some say from evolution and some say from air. The Pope Hates Potter - Both of Them This month a court in Burlington, Kentucky issued the largest settlement to date against the Catholic Church in the "Priestofeelya" scandal.Judge John Potter ruled in favor of the victims against the church to the tune of $120 million dollars (place pinky to corner of mouth. Fruit-Bearing Christians This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. JOHN 15:8Can you imagine the fruit of six million lighthouses across America praying for, caring for, and sharing Jesus Christ with their neighbors, friends, and family?I can imagine it, but there was a time when I couldn't have. Biblical Hermeneutics - Part 3 Instead of being passive consumers of Biblical commentary, we can participate in the forming of a very particular, but no less authentic, commentary of our own. The only thing that should happen between text and commentary is exegesis, not homiletics. Lets Restore the Word of Christ "What? Trying to spread the gospel message without quoting from the New Testament? Impossible!" That may be your first reaction, but just think about it. Scholars tell us that the first New Testament book, either Galatians or First Thessalonians, was written in about 50 CE, nearly 20 years after that glorious Pentecost when Christ crucified was first proclaimed as the only possible remedy for sinners. Gods People Are Destroyed For Lack of Knowledge These next two verses are extreme - and I mean extreme! These two verses are telling us that God's people are literally, and I mean literally, being destroyed for lack of knowledge. The second verse below says that God's people can literally go into captivity as a result of not having the right amount of knowledge about something. It is Written: Alien Invasion of Planet Earth PART ONE IT IS WRITTEN. Satanic Panic and the Alien Connection - PART ONE"It is written!"Man, them's fightin' words!Christ was confronted by Satan himself during His pre-ministry, 40-day, spiritual warfare training session in the desert. Recognizing Apostasy and Deception PREFACE TO UNDERSTANDING APOSTASY AND DECEPTIONIn the "last days" the greatest deception ever perpetrated on mankind will beguile mankind, including Christians. One great nation, headed by the antichrist, will subdue the nations of the earth and dominate the world. Resurrection Faith (Part 2) Christ died. This is a historical fact not to be denied. Why Me Why MeAs a Christian I feel the need to say some things and it may offend some. For one just because I am a Christian that doesn't mean I am never allowed to get mad or upset.
|
| Mommy Home Jobs | Mommy Matters | index | site map |
| Copyright © MommyHomeJobs.com |
