Helpmate.com

       Helpmate.net is a website for Helpmate Technology Solutions. A company who provides products and information on how churches can use technology to make their current plans of actions for their ministries more efficient. It is proof that there has become a demand for technological assistance within churches and this site was created to make that available.

Helpmate.net meets several qualifications of what it takes to be a credible website. The very first thing I notice is the format of the website is well put together. In some cases looks can be deceiving so format cannot be the only credible characteristic. The URL begins with “http://”, giving it a legitimate web address. At the bottom of the web page I noticed a seal labeled “accredited business”. It shows the reader that the sight is created by a proven company. There is also a copyright note showing that the website creator has reason to protect his or her information from being reproduced without punishment. They give ample amount of contact information so they are willing to be contacted solely based on the content of their site. I would approve helpmate.com as being a credible site.

source:

http://www.helpmate.net/

http://www.ehow.com/how_2112227_determine-website-credibility.html

Online Etiquette and Religious Social Networks

Online Etiquette is definitely an important aspect of some of the various religious social networks. Some of the more broad social networks such as facebook and myspace may have provided the resources for some specific interest groups to form online communities, but others have felt it necessary to create their own network. There have been incidents of things said and done specifically on these social networks that offended some in the Muslim culture. In retaliation Millat facebook was created, which is similar to the original but obviously catered to those who are apart of the Muslim faith. It is a classic a example of online etiquette having a negative impact, and it seems as though some religious communities see it necessary to try to create an online space void of such behavior. However is may not always work out as planned.

It seems a social network catered to a specific interest group, especially when it comes to faith, would maintain a sense of unity and mutual support but that is not always the case. Some Christian networks have moderators in place to help remind it’s members that their sights were created to bring fellow believers together and not tear them apart. However some sights have become a platform for religious debate. Of course they were not originally created for this reason but a lack of online etiquette has produced this annoying habit. Even those opposed to all faith have chosen to use these religious specific social networks to share their anti-faith opinions with believers. On the other hand, in the same arena there are those of have found some Christian networks to be very inviting and engaging to be able to converse with others who share their common belief. They give them a sense of belonging by welcoming them into their online community. A clear example how good and bad online etiquette can change the opinion of a person’s view of not just the person who is “saying” the words, but the entire sight as a whole.

Sources:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2600615/top_10_christian_social_networks.html?cat=15

http://techie-buzz.com/tech-news/pakistanis-launch-muslim-facebook-called-millat-facebook.html

Past and Present

Religion has allowed for much progression over the many years of its existence. Its messages have not been hushed by time as well as the vast technological advances in society, but it seems the exact opposite is occurring. Before religion decided to convert to the practices of technology it was still a thriving society of people. Religion has been its own culture for many centuries. Belonging to certain religions, for some, literally effects their daily lives. Some pray on various occasions, and others do not eat certain foods at certain times. Many religions meet on a regular basis, some even multiple times a week. It has always been a big commitment and passion to many people even before technology came into the picture.

  Before streaming video, dvd recordings, podcasts, and ebooks there was the printing press. Books were the major source of communicating religious messages before the 20th century. Religious leaders would travel to teach and have no source to magnify their voices for easy hearing for crowds, except there ability to shout aloud.  However it seems that technology is being credited for making what was already present in religious practices, ten times better. However, religions are being careful not to completely sell their souls to the resource.

There are certain aspects of religious cultures that participants are making sure that technology will not overtake. They want technology to enhance and not replace their methods that have been passed down for many generations. For example, some preachers have begun to use power point presentations with their messages. Before, everyone had to do their best to follow along with just simply listening to and watching the preacher himself alone. Now the preacher did not sit down and let the power point preach for him, but uses it as a tool to guide the congregation and keep them engaged while he preaches. It seems to keep the younger generation more interested and make it easier for the older generation to retain the information while following a visual summary. On the other hand there are certain rituals of the Jewish culture that have not been allowed to be tainted by technology, such as hand writing certain scrolls by those holding a specific leadership position in the faith. It keeps certain areas authentic, and exclusive to the religion itself. It portrays the message that while the religious culture is choosing to adopt some technological resources it is still maintaining its original purpose and beliefs.

  One aspect that all religions have in common, is that they are trying to teach a message as well as a mindset to people. Those who choose to participate are always gathering and wanting to learn and teach as much as possible about their choice of faith. In the past, there were not as many ways to communicate those messages as there are now. In a sense it showed the true commitment to those who practiced, because it was not necessarily a luxurious experience as it is portrayed now with enhancing audio and video resources as well as television, radio, and the world wide web.

Keshauna L

Techno-Faith?

       Techno-faith is a term I have chosen to use to describe the use of technology within a religious culture. It’s all about what technology is doing in the lives of those have expressed a specific religious belief that is evident in their day to day lives.  Has technology, in any way provided effectiveness or ineffectiveness in religious methods, and in what way? What does the faith culture have to say about technology? I hope to provide the religious perspective of this diverse tool.

Personally, my faith is a big part of my life. It has helped to shape who I am as a person today, and will continue to greatly effect me in the future. If technology is playing such a big part in something that I choose to make a priority, its safe to say that it’s important to know what effects it is having. I have been a Christian since I was a small child, and grew up in a Christian culture my entire life. Over the years I have seen many technological involvement in the methods of my faith. I want to know what its doing and why, as we continue to utilize it in various aspects of not only our Jesus culture, but others as well.

  For this very reason I chose this topic of religion so that I can find out what role technology plays in all the various faiths around the world. I would define religion as an organized belief in a higher power beyond humanity, characterized by methods of living, literature, and rituals. Could this possibly be an area that different religions will have similar opinions about, although they maintain different beliefs. I hope to find out how technology has contributed to those who have chosen to expressively live against religious beliefs. Has the religious culture’s relationship with technology affected their views in any way? I want to know why the religious cultures have chosen to partake of the opportunities technology has to offer and are there religions out there that are opposed to the idea that technology and religion can work hand in hand. Being that there is such a variety of beliefs around the world I hope to find many different ways technology has formed a new techno-faith culture. Meaning, has technology been adopted in many religious rituals? I wonder if any conclusions can be drawn about whether technology has effected the rate at which people are joining religions. What do the religions have to say about this techno-faith?