I was reading the discussion between Manfred and the local Catholic community, and I was going to write a response. However, it grew into a little reflection that I think should stand on its own.

**

Chris and Paul: great work. Manfred probably isn't convinced at all, but I don't know that he can really be blamed.

After all, are we any more moved to convert by stuff we read on the Internet?

Internet apologetics has reached something of a golden age; people with an open mind and heart, and with a penchant for reading, can be exposed to literally volumes of information upholding simple Catholic faith and belief. For Protestants, I consistently refer them to www.catholicoutlook.com, which I maintain is the premium Protestant's guide to Catholicism.

One of the reasons why I rave about that site is because it treats Protestants with a good amount of respect. The author has never lost a sense of sympathy, which in turn makes him stunningly effective.

But here is where I sound a contrary note: the Web, though a fantastic storehouse of information (and a good source of education for those already confirmed in faith) is a lousy tool for _directly_ uniting lost Christians into the One Fold and the One Shepherd. An analogy: After WWII and the liberation of the Jews, some Americans believed that it would be the greatest mark of charity to go and distribute candy bars and chocolate to the denizens of concentration camps. The admirable sentiment, however, produced deadly results. The victims literally choked on the Allied victory; their digestive systems were in full-scale starvation mode, and the 'treats' were too much to handle.

Since the days of the early Church, the Fathers had repeated the theme of the "Preparation for the Gospel." Most of the time, this referred to the "rays of light" with which God graces the world, the hints of his presence and love before his Church fulfills its mission to preach.

However, the expression has another sense: relationship. Relationship precedes testimony, and without relationship, the testimony can be brittle, and can choke and kill. "I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now." 1 Corinthians 3:2. Internet apologetics is sometimes Truth without context, which can be just as dangerous as untruth.

I am not opposed to Internet apologetics; in fact, I hope it grows and gets even better. But I also think that the best way for it to do so is to be extremely aware of its own shortcomings.

Just a note of personal experience: ears tend to be open much wider in the context of a friendly drink at a cafe, than a forum.

-- Skoobouy (skoobouy@hotmail.com), May 13, 2003

Answers

Interesting observations, Skoobouy.
A problem we face is that there is no way that we can divert the unbelieving to a cafe when they arrive here unexpectedly.
They want to talk here, and now.
JFG

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), May 13, 2003.

Very true. But nevertheless, the Internet faces a unique challenge of having a kind of weak, whispery voice; a half-baked credibility; it risks becoming a bag of words when what really identifies Catholic assent is Catholic community. It is difficult, albeit not impossible, to have a conversation over a forum that captures the imagination or that speaks to the heart. It's like whispering through a keyhole.

All I'm really suggesting is two things: first, that the Internet be deflated a little bit and understood to be more of a "provisional care unit" - good for small questions and even some challenging ideas, but inadequate for dealing with persons whose dissent is deeply rooted in their identity. Using the Internet to dialogue with someone like that, is like cleaning a butcher table with a Q-Tip. Instead, people should be encouraged to speak with a priest or a Catholic friend/acquaintance. Similarly, if we're concerned about doing for others what Christ has done for us, maybe we should relocate our energy to our local communities.

Secondly, I think that the manner in which we speak in Net forums can be informed somewhat by our manner with living, breathing individuals. Christian and Catholic apologetics should never just be a bag of words, but it should have some qualities of rapport, sympathy, friendship, and openness (to listen, if not to agree). I think this is in the interest of a more effective Catholic apologetics. And I'm pretty sure catholicoutlook.com is an exemplar of it.

-- Skoobouy (skoobouy@hotmail.com), May 14, 2003.

Hi Skoob, I just dropped in for a quick visit and 'look around to feel the climate', hi everyone. God bless you all, Skoob I love your tone, you've been sitting with the Master, I can tell. Tee

-- Theresa Huether (Rodntee4Jesus@aol.com), May 14, 2003.