That iamsecond site was brilliant!! I agree with you totally Ray. I think as Christians we can tap into an incredible resource for creativity that the secular world doesn't have...and if we just use it, we don't have to jump on board the next "big thing"...we can make our own!

Why not use the real thing? I like the graph btw.

Agreed, there are far too many Christian rip off artists out there. Just because it works on the secular side doesn't mean it needs to be out right ripped off. There's nothing wrong with being inspired and making a new creation from something, but to be as blatant as Godwitter, c'mon.

I am completely against this sort of thing. Why do Christians feel they have to carve out their own "safe" place and abandon great social media that are already in use. People: let's get out of the ghetto!! I would urge Greg to abandon his project.

You make a great point, Ray. I've never understood the need to make a crappy version of something just to have it "safe" for Christians, because obviously, if we use Twitter or facebook, we might catch the sin.

We are called to be Christians in this world, as we live for him - letting people see Jesus while we are where the people abide! Let them see him in normal places.

Even still, we are to shine everywhere we are found to be!

Jacques

If it is of the Lord it will blossom, if not, it will wither and die.

I don't necessarily disagree with anything stated here and I do appreciate the graph. Interesting thoughts. The one statement that I have in this though is that we must consider verses like Ephesians 5:11 where we are not supposed to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them. We can still be in the world but, the world should not be able to carry on with their sin before your eyes and expect to not be reproved. At least it shouldn't be the case. Hopefully it is not the case in anyone here.

May the Lord bless you as you consider these things.

David – I’m no theologian, but I *think* Eph 5:11 is speaking specifically to Christians about people within their circles who call themselves Christians and yet live in sin. I’m looking at vs. 3 from that chapter in the NASB version and the last line reads: "as is proper among the saints", the word ‘among’ being an instructive/clarifying concept. The New King James version actually talks about having “no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness”, which I think reinforces this idea. So, the exclusion is not about non-Christians, but people that call themselves a Christ-follower while very obviously living lives that are contrary to God and can act as a cancer within the fellowship of saints.

I further believe that this concept is reinforced by 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 which reads: “I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves."”

Again, I’m no theologian, so I’m open to clarification/correction on the point, but hopefully this helps clarify where Ray and I (since I’m in agreement with him) are coming from on this.

RAY - so what you're saying is that what's wrong with Godwitter is what's wrong with eletricurrent and the xpirimental blog, right?

Very well said. I have often thought this myself and appreciate your candor.

Thanks for the comment Jason.

I’d actually be interested to hear a bit more from you about the lines you’re drawing between Godwitter and Electricurrent/Xpiritmental. I want to clearly understand your point as I think about the question you’ve raised.

Ray, thanks for bringing up this point. It does bring up some interesting issues in regards Christian culture tends to be reactive vs being proactive in the realm of creativity. It does appear at times that we are copycats. However, I believe these types of alternatives do have their place and their market. What you will probably find is that many Christians will probably use both!!!

We also cannot take divine inspiration out of the picture. As a believer, we must believe that your friend Greg feels led by the Holy Spirit to create this medium. Although it may not serve everyone, it will serve someone. GodTube may be a Christian version of YouTube, but it is serving a community and providing encouragement to the body. Godtwitter may have a totally different purpose than the original Twitter, once God is done with it. We have to allow God to direct the process. I understand both sides of the issue, but we can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. In a nutshell, if God has told Greg to build it, then he should build it. I gather that there will be many Christians that utilize both... and that's ok.

Ray we do need more creative ventures...I believe that God has enabled believers with creative power and authority. But God CAN and DOES work through the alternatives.