Is God in cyberspace?

In his most recent book, the Pulitzer Prize winning author and columnist Thomas Friedman describe the forces that are reshaping the world today. He talked of the way technology and globalization is reshaping and will continue to reshape the way we live, work, learn and even conduct our most personal and intimate relationships. 

In his 14-chapter magnum opus on his guide to the “Age of Accelerations”, the chapter that really captured my attention was Chapter 11: “Is God in Cyberspace?”

What is Cyberspace? I discovered that there are a least 28 different definitions. It has been defined as the global network of interdependent information technology infrastructure, telecommunications networks and computer processing systems in which online communications take place. Whatever the definition, there is no escaping the fact that cyberspace is becoming part of everyday lives of even the “common “ people. More than half the world owns a cellphone. In the Philippines, there are almost as many cellphones as people. Children barely out of infancy are learning to use the  ipad to watch games and movies. Schools are now trying to shift learning tools from paper and pencils to ipads and laptops. 

Stephen Hulsey defines cyberspace as the space that is occupied by the World Wide Web, the Internet and the Social Media. In answering the question -  Is God in Cyberspace – here is what he says: “God might just show up on Facebook if we behave in ways that honor His presence. The same way might be said for other Social Media networks ( e.g. Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, etc.) yet from what I am witnessing today God seems unwilling to join us in this new cyber arena of our lives. I have never witnessed so much vitriol, so much hate, so much toxic language, and so much character assassination in my life – so much childish behaviour in fact.”

I am sure those who are on Social Media are in full agreement with this observation. But then I also agree that many of those who use their Social Media networks as a platform to vent their anger towards those who disagree with them are probably decent people in person. Some can even be quiet or likeable if you meet them in person.  But it seems that with only one mouse click or smartphone, their ethics, morals or civility instantly disappear. It seems that so many people are just “ ...one click away from being a really nasty person in Cyberspace.”

In his book, Friedman relates that he asked Rabbi Tzvi Marx the same question – “Is God in Cyberspace?” the philosophical answer was that it depends on a person’s view of God. If your view of God is that “... He  is the Almighty who makes His presence felt by divine intervention – by smiting evil and rewarding good – then He does not seem to be in cyberspace which is full of pornography, gambling, blogs and tweets trashing different people from every direction, pop and rap music with suggestive lyrics and four letter words, not to mention all manner of hate speech and now cybercrime and recruitment by hate filled groups such as ISIS.”

The Rabbi Marx proceeded to give a profound but frightening answer. He said that God is not present unless we behave as though He were running things. From the beginning, He entrusted man to make choices. We must remember that “ ...we are responsible for making God’s presence manifest by what we do, by the choices we make. And the reason this issue is most acute in cyberspace is that no one else is in charge there. There is no place in today’s world where you encounter the freedom to choose that God gave man more than in cyberspace. Cyberspace is where we are all connected and no one is in charge.”

From my philosophy classes during my college days, I remember a Cartesian notion that people might be deceived by an evil demon that feeds them a false reality. We are witnessing, on Social Media an avalanche of “fake” news and trolls that focus on unspeakable dirty language hiding behind the anonymity that cyberspace can provide. 

How do we bring God into Cyberspace.?

It may seem remarkable but completely understandable that even a world famous,  multi-awarded author and intellectual like Thomas Friedman has a seemingly simple answer. He says: “Time for Everyone to Go Back to Sunday School.”

There will always be evil in the world. There will always be people – with or without cyberspace – who will seek to destroy other people’s reputations because of envy, greed or lust. There will now be people who will abuse the freedom of cyberspace to cheat even their neighbours. Society must impose laws on the use and abuse of social media. But more important, Friedman writes: “ Clearly what is needed  – and is in the power  of every parent, school principal, college president and spiritual leader – is to think more seriously and urgently about how we can inspire more  of...”sustainable values” : honesty, humility, integrity and mutual respect.” 

I believe that the  only way to bring  God into cyberspace is the way we bring God into our daily lives – strong families, healthy communities, schools that teach values, governments that unite rather than divide, and spiritual leaders who  will continue to preach the message of hope and the Golden Rule. 

Creative writing classes for kids/teens & adults

Young Writers’ Hangout for Kids & Teens on May 27 and June 3 (1:30-3pm/independent sessions).  Creative Writing Workshop for Adults with award winning fictionist Susan Lara will be on June 17 (1:30-4:30pm).  All sessions are at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.  For registration and fee details text 0917-6240196 or email [email protected].

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