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‘Deliver Us From Evil Blogging’

September 29, 2008 11:02 AM

By Emily Wither, ABC News London

British church leaders are becoming so concerned about the temptations of the blogosphere that they have drawn up a list of “Ten Blogging Commandments.”

10commandments_080929_main Based on the original 10 Commandments, the new cyberspace rules were delivered in a very different setting. Instead of by Moses on the top of Mount Sinai, the list was drawn up by the Evangelical Alliance during a Godsblog conference in London. The Evangelical Alliance was formed in 1846 and represents thousands of different churches across Britain.

Christian bloggers are being asked to sign up to revamped rules – which are etched in “virtual stone.” The rules include remembering to take a day off from their blog on the Sabbath, not murdering another’s reputation online and not stealing another person’s content.

Dr. Krish Kandiah, the executive director of Churches in Mission, told ABC News that he felt the new rules would enable people to link the Ten Commandments with the art of blogging. “In the ever-changing information age, what we need is wisdom for life, and God communicates wisdom to our culture through the Bible on every issue from social justice to social networking.”

Christian blogs have been known to encourage passionate, extreme and sometimes angry comment and debate, and unlike most other forms of media, they are unregulated. Bloggers are reminded in the new Ten Commandments not to use the anonymity of a screen name to commit a sin, to honor your fellow bloggers and not to put your blog before your integrity.

Other commandments include not making an idol of your blog, not permitting or committing adultery in your mind and being content with your own content.

The Rev. Mark Meynell, the senior associate minister of All Souls Church, Langham Place, led the talks in London, “The Internet is merely the latest step in the evolution of human communication -- and so like any other new medium, it presents us with huge opportunities as well as challenges.”

The Blogging Ten Commandments, according to the Evangelical Alliance:

  1. You shall not put your blog before your integrity.
  2. You shall not make an idol of your blog.
  3. You shall not misuse your screen name by using your anonymity to sin.
  4. Remember the Sabbath day by taking one day off a week from your blog.
  5. Honour your fellow-bloggers above yourselves and do not give undue significance to their mistakes.
  6. You shall not murder someone else’s honour, reputation or feelings.
  7. You shall not use the web to commit or permit adultery in your mind.
  8. You shall not steal another person’s content.
  9. You shall not give false testimony against your fellow-blogger.
  10. You shall not covet your neighbour's blog ranking.  Be content with your own content.

September 29, 2008 in Emily Wither | Permalink | User Comments (26)

User Comments

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Geeze. Where is the fun? Did this appear on a stone tablet or a stone chip?

Posted by: jennylynn | Sep 29, 2008 11:06:30 AM

These are the same people who told Jesus that he was not the son of God. They worshiped the roman empire, kings and there gold crosses. they told Jesus that he was not the son of God. And there temples crumbled before there eyes. I believe that everyperson must listen to there heart that is the moral compass . Jesus lives in our hearts Not words from pastors that abuse children

Posted by: revolt | Sep 29, 2008 11:39:55 AM

revolt -- Mistaking your humanity and sense of spirituality is the great danger of our species. It's not jesus who lives in ones heart, but ones sense of self, connection with the world and belief that we can transcend to something greater than ourselves, NOT servants of one particular god. The sooner we can all realize this, the sooner we can truly make a difference in the world.

Posted by: Free_Thoughts_Prevail | Sep 29, 2008 11:55:41 AM

Love it! What a great reminder to Christians to remember to have respect for others, and not become insulting and angry like everyone else while hiding behind their computer screens!

Posted by: Kelly | Sep 29, 2008 12:13:32 PM

I find this spiffy, in a sardonic kind of way. . .

It's like the 10 commandments version 1.2!

Now all they need is a cyber-Moses and this thing are set to be burned into pixels everywhere!

Man, this is funny.

Posted by: Calis | Sep 29, 2008 12:22:22 PM

Oh good doodly-oodly. these sound like the ned flanders rules for blogging..

Posted by: Paul | Sep 29, 2008 12:28:35 PM

So many people post things that they would never have the courage to say face-to-face. Truly, believe have found a new forum for cowardince: Hiding behind their computers.

Posted by: Lisa Again | Sep 29, 2008 1:18:51 PM

What makes the authors of these commandments think they're any more useful than...the 'real' commandments? If people are so thick-headed that they can't remember the basic rules of their religion, perhaps they should get off the computer and read a book. The Bible, for starters. Or ditch the religion altogether!

Posted by: Courtney | Sep 29, 2008 1:24:35 PM

Go back to the previous font style please!!!

Posted by: bombem | Sep 29, 2008 1:30:49 PM

The "regular ten" satisfies most of this already.

Posted by: Jim | Sep 29, 2008 1:31:00 PM

Never the Bible Courtney, for many the truth hurts hurts to much.

Posted by: bombem | Sep 29, 2008 1:33:06 PM

Free Thoughts Prevail: How lost can you be? One's sence of self is just what got us into this financial collapse. If all those fools in congress and on Wall St had thought of some one else besides "SELF" then maybe we would not have "Transcended" to the verge of a financial colapse! Your dumb theory has been going on since GOD created the universe and history has proven your theory wrong, over and over again. You lost poor soul, there is but one GOD, and one day to your schagrin you "WILL" realize that.

Posted by: bombem | Sep 29, 2008 1:51:39 PM

"You shall not covet your neighbour's blog ranking. Be content with your own content." LoL! That one made me giggle, not sure why. People really covet blog rankings...? Blog ranking... wife... why not just change it to say "It ain't yours!"

Posted by: Covin | Sep 29, 2008 2:45:03 PM

This is whole thing is absurd. "Judge not, lest ye be judged. "(Look at the original Koine Greek). Contrary to popular belief, as Christians we are to pronounce righteous judgment. We are to speak the truth and, often times, the word of God cuts like a sword. We are living in the Great Apostasy where men will not hear nor tolerate sound doctrine. Look into it, Christ was hated for his words. He is the word made flesh. The Pharisees killed him because he denounced their Halakah--"their traditions" or oral law. He called them a "brood of vipers.” Contrary to what the world thinks, one has to be hated and persecuted to be a true Christian. Jesus said if they hated me, they are going to hate you. Bush and other false Christians like him have turned so many people off to the message of the Almighty. Bush et al are not true followers of Christ--look at their deeds. To be a true disciple, one must deny self, crucify the flesh, and speak the unadulterated truth. Most people living today think this is insane. But the truth is that God has an elect family that he knew before the foundation of the world. He has predestined everything. Nothing can be added nor taken away. Those who belong to him--the vessels of mercy-are few and will barely be able to enter through "the narrow gate." Everyone else--the vessels of wrath--are like natural brute beasts "fitted to" or literally ordained to destruction. If you belong to God, he has to write that in your heart and make you hungry for his word. As it is, no one is good--there is none righteous. He has to put you through fiery trials until you bend to his will, obey him, and live Godly. The world will end up hating you for it, but that is the only way to go to heaven folks. Beware of an "easy" gospel and beware of the other Jesus that Paul spoke of. Accept[ing] Christ and praying a sinner's prayer will not assure one of salvation--neither will "walking the aisle" or eating "crackers" and drinking "grape juice." Christmas, Easter, and most of the traditionally celebrated holidays (except Thanksgiving of course) are rooted in Paganism and Roman Catholicism. They are abominable and have no place in the life of a true believer. Don't take my word for it, look into to it: examine the scriptures in their original context, test the word, define all the terms in their original Greek and Hebrew. I submit to you that when one does this the Bible snaps into focus and is frighteningly orderly and logical. Look at the way numbers work in the Bible. Look at the gematria--It could have only been inspired by a magnificent, omnipotent, omniscient God--i.e. one with foreknowledge.

Want to know more about the truth? Look into Grace and Truth Ministries in Hendersonville, TN. This man knows a ton about the word of God and isn't afraid to tell it like it is.

Posted by: Gumbygold53 | Sep 29, 2008 2:47:59 PM

The rules currently governing blogging seem sufficient and consistent with Christianity so, this just seems like a waste of time to me. The words "unity and diversity" and "Conservative" on the Evangelical Alliance web site seems like a contradiction to me.

Posted by: denn84116 | Sep 29, 2008 3:02:51 PM

Are you flippin serious who do these people think they are i mean i think the original 10 commandment justifies enough dont you think

Posted by: 'issa | Sep 29, 2008 3:05:59 PM

The current blogging rules seem sufficient to me and consistent with Christianity so, this seems like a waste of time to me. The words "Conservative" and "unity and diversity" on the Evangelical Alliance web site seems contradictory to me too boot.

Posted by: denn84116 | Sep 29, 2008 3:10:28 PM

What Grumpygold53 just wrote is, to MY religion, the equivalent of a Christian engaging in extramarital sex with his neighbor's wife (I assume there's no prohibition about the neighbor's husband - and I know what it originally said in Greek and Latin) making a snuff-film with stolen equipment on Sunday, using bad language and worshiping statues of Venus and Mars. In other words, in MY religion, trying to mess with the spiritual paths of others without their permission is the biggest 'sin' a person can commit in this life.

I KNOW the truth. YOUR truth ain't MY truth. I've walked YOUR path and found it spiritually bankrupt. It's a disease of the soul - like a plague carrier spreading the germ of intolerance and hatred for all things non-Christian. True evil exists in the heart of a true believer who has no respect for the spirituality of others.

MY religion requires more of me than to 'be saved'. I HAVE to improve myself, spiritually, every day. I have to write my own sermons, find my own flaws, seek my own path. The difference between thee and me is that your smug self-righteousness is utterly and completely against the teachings of Christ and you call yourself a Christian, while my viewpoint, much like Free_Thoughts', is that we are all connected and should work to spiritually improve ourselves FIRST, before even thinking about others - which is Christian in both spirit and deed.

It's too bad you call yourself a "Christian". I'm pretty sure Jesus wouldn't have approved of your post because, unlike you, I've read the original bible in both Greek and Latin and everything you're saying about abominations is a direct contradiction of what Jesus said to believe. I'm not sure what church you belong to, except the Church of Hatred and Intolerance. I do expect your spiritual growth to be retarded and, in the end, Karma is going to make your life miserable. I'd feel sorry for you, except I can't shake the feeling you bring it on yourself.

Needless to say, that kind of writing gives true Christianity a very black eye. If you're looking to convince others, you have - that your brand of religion is spiritually, physically and emotionally toxic and to avoid it at all costs.

Posted by: Fatesrider | Sep 29, 2008 3:11:32 PM

Hey Revolt -

You're a moron. In the first place, you've GOT THE WRONG CHURCH.

In the second place, the word you're looking for is "their", not "there".

Posted by: Notalone | Sep 29, 2008 3:43:55 PM

Church, taking the fun out of life since the immaculate conception...

Posted by: LauraS | Sep 29, 2008 3:56:06 PM

Church, taking the fun out of life since the immaculate conception...

Posted by: LauraS | Sep 29, 2008 3:56:16 PM

Hey fatesrider-

The Bible was never written in Latin originally....

Posted by: wu10 | Sep 29, 2008 4:29:39 PM

Fatesrider,

I am very sorry to hear about your personal apostasy and conversion to New Age self worship which can only lead to destruction. "Me first" is the doctrine of the Devil. Self-gratification is always the wrong path. What you think the truth is matters not. His word and plan for the universe endure for all eternity regardless of your consent. It is all about glorifying the Lamb of God and obeying him. That entails turning away from what you want and your own desires. Perhaps one day he will deal with you and lead you to turn from sin and self. Perhaps your a vessel of wrath. Either way, its predetermined. If you know so much Greek and "Latin" (which the Bible was never originally written in) as you claim, why don't you provide the appropriate Biblical verses?

Posted by: Gumbygold53 | Sep 29, 2008 5:01:42 PM

This is a farce, our country, no our world is going to hell in a handbasket and everyone wants to debate the merits and humor in trivial matters like this is saddening. I am not one of those Holy Roller Doom Prophets but if you can't see whats in front of you then you deserve to be bit. I know I'm saved and there is a place for me. The rest of you need to start looking to what really matters and that is loving one another, striving to make the world a better place, and once again finding the compassion we have all seem to have lost. We are lucky to live in America we need to remember why.

Posted by: Jeremy | Sep 29, 2008 5:42:45 PM

XD~XD~XD
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!
hehe,
<3 them & ppl who maded them up
..such naitivity!!

Posted by: God/Son of God/Whatever-you-believe-to-be-flying-up-the-sky-or-outer-space | Sep 29, 2008 5:45:08 PM

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