Killing a community one Rant at a time

Last post I talked about a great online community. But let's face it. Conflict will happen no matter how we try to appreciate our diversity.

Initially we will be genuinely thankful for the different perspectives people bring us and grow in our ability to see God and his creation better through their eyes.

But eventually someone will "cross the line" whatever our line is and we will respond. Jon just posted about it. And as Scott pointed out there is a fresh example over at PhilBaker.net. I don't belief it is lack of conflict that should separate us from the world but how we respond in conflict. And it's not easy otherwise it wouldn't be a powerful witness that we are truly Jesus disciples. John 13:34-35.

The problem that is uniquely online is twofold. First there is an attitude that I can do whatever I want because it's not real and I'm not face to face. The problem with this thinking is that there really are real people at the end of all those cable runs. When you are ranting you are not only staking out a stance against a "position" but also against those people who have the position (explicitly or implicate, politely or confrontational). It's easy to forget the people when all you are looking at is a web page.

The second is anonymity - a lack of consequences. Blogging helps a little because those posting (though not commenting) at least have a fixed, semi-permanent presence in the community and there are some consquences to that persona.

For me I dread the can of worms that will be unleashed when Christians start sharing deeply their faith and values on the internet. It's a land mine of conflict from both in and outside the fold. My only answer right now is you need a "healthy, messy, community" - which is acknowledging that conflict will happen but hoping that overall people are much better of for being involved.

I ran across this sig the other day on Slashdot. It gives me a little hope because I think the sentiments could just as easily be applied to Christian Online Community

"The problem with Wikipedia is it is only possible in practice not theory."