Why Do We Need Christian Alternatives to Mainstream Social Media Platforms?
In the past year I have discovered that certain well meaning people have created alternative versions of social media platforms designed specifically for the Christian community. We now have:
GodTube – the Christian alternative to YouTube
Gospelr – the Christian alternative to Twitter
And now, launching on November 10th, 2008…
FaithOut – the Christian alternative to Facebook.
The question is this…why do we need these alternatives? I have seen the benefit of GodTube in that it essentially serves as a hosting place of Christian video-recorded church services and videos relevant to our faith. I am sure there is a place for Gospelr and FaithOut as well, but maybe I am missing the point…should we not just live out our faith as Christians in our society and let the genuineness of our spirituality speak for itself as we interact with people (Christian and Non-Christian) in online communities?
On the FaithOut web site it says:
“Faithout is a Christian social networking utility (Social Fellowshipping) that connects people with friends and others who work, study, go to church together and live around them. People use Faithout to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.
This is Facebook! People are already doing this. Will Christians stop using Facebook and Start using FaithOut? I personally feel that we do not need to recreate or duplicate platforms that already exist and where communities are already strong and the technology is widely used and tested. Is it a good use of resources? I realize I have a very outward looking point of view about Christianity, but if churches are going to really impact their surrounding communities and offer a relevant way to connect with people who are looking for hope, love, and answers to their life struggles…then segregating our conversation and our social interactions online to “christian-only” networks will not be a way to connect with those we need to demonstrate the genuineness and relevancy of our faith to. One more thing…I find the name FaithOut to be a contradiction. You can let your faith “out” and let who you really are shine though your social media communities on the networks that already exisit in a non-threatening way now. Locking up behind a separate platform actually doesn’t let your faith out! Maybe I am in the minority, but I think I need to be who I am online using YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. People can see that I am a Christian. I don’t need to be preachy. I just have to be real. I don’t need to hide in a segregated community. Just my opinion.
I think this is a good topic for conversation and I don’t want to argue or fight, but I would like to hear what you think about these new platforms and whether they have a place, whether you think they will be successful, and if you are a Christian will you use them? I particularly encourage people who are not church-going folks who read this to weigh in with their thoughts on these new social media networks and platforms. When you discover that these alternatives exist how does it make you feel?
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