The 8th commandment use to be clear and unambiguous to me. It states, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”. Or, as I teach it to jr. highers, “don’t diss”. I always teach this one first because being “dissed” is what they fear most.
Gossip, especially in the form of cyber-bulling, is a clear violation of the 8th commandment. So far so good.
Then I saw the inside cover of the November 28th issue of Newsweek. The UNHATE FOUNDATION sponsored a picture of President Obama kissing the Premier of China on the lips, (http://unhate.benetton.com/campaign/china_usa/). Obviously photo-shopped, the picture really offended me. Neither leader had given permission to create this picture. It seemed highly disrespectful of the offices they hold. The picture created a false impression regarding their relationship. An obvious violation of the 8th commandment.
“Not so fast there,” said my very politically aware and graduate student daughter. “The picture is making a statement about the need for reconciliation and peace,” she continued.
So I looked up the UNHATE FOUNDATION’s mission. It states, “We seek to contribute to the creation of a new culture of tolerance, to combat hatred.” Amen to that!
But does the picture accomplish that? Or is it just good old fashion “bearing false witness”…a lie about who these people are and what they think?
The internet creates a lot of fuzz and blur around the 8th commandment. For example, a couple years ago, by pure chance, I came across a blog post that was highly critical of our organization. I contacted the Christian author and reminded him of the 8th commandment and Jesus teachings in Matthew 18:15. (If you see your neighbor sin, tell them their fault directly.) The blogger, a pastor, seemed surprised that I would take offense. “It’s the internet, you can say what you want.” True, but doesn’t direct communication seem more…well Christian?
These are two examples of how fuzzy interpreting the 8th Commandment can get. Am I just an introverted Neanderthal clinging to some quaint code of direct communication, or should Christians consider the 8th commandment more carefully before posting?
Just because we can post, blog, or photo-shop doesn’t mean we should…or does it?
I would like to hear what others think about this?
It depends. What if you are in a place where freedom of speech is not the norm? You wish to speak out, but the consequences are dire. So you make a picture or a video that makes the statement you wish to make, but leaves a door open in case. What if a crime is going on such as the abduction of the woman in Pakistan and if you speak directly it would cause her more grief than help? There needs to be a balance between direct communication and Internet communication when the persons are local and able to see each other. In some instances you are chatting with people in a different country or culture or on the other side of your nation. You do not have a relationship where you can pick up the phone and just chat. An organization gives one the opportunity to call and ask.
Here because of our Bill of rights we can say what we want or put on the Internet but the part we like to forget is once said or written others then have the right to determine if it was truth, opinion, slander or libel. Back to God’s commandment–I lie every day without meaning to because of cultural myths I have accepted, human tendency, prejudices I have developed and sometimes on purpose. Blog posts often have a comment box where you can display the other opinion for all to read making it easier to have an opposing opinion and get it out there. I think as so often the Internet users do they contact and make the other party aware of their reaction to the image. You found their intent was not what you thought.
Picture manipulation is also part of our cultural norm now. The images we see on TV, magazine and Internet have often been manipulated. As a global community and new technology these are all things we have to wrestle with. What is the difference between the kissing of two political leaders and people sitting around a table and bashing these leaders? At least the picture erred on the side of love with the kissing
It would be good to hear some sermons on tying biblical principles and technology and internet use to help us navigate this wonderful new world God let us have in global communication. It would be even better if we had some models in church of ways to use texting, Internet, email, images in ways that love and display our Christianity. Like everything else on the Internet if it goes viral it could reach millions.
By: Mary Page on November 28, 2011
at 5:43 pm