Found this on one of my favorite blogs–oldtruth.com
“We are technologically superior to previous generations. But are we losing too much in the process? First we walked, then galloped, then road on rails together. Now we drive, largely alone with the window up, and go home to [air conditioned and heated] homes, only coming out to take out the trash or grab the newspaper. Once we entertained ourselves at home by reading books aloud. In the 1920s, families gathered around the radio. In the 1950s, they gathered around the TV. Now there is a TV in each room. Computers will only make it worse. Once the home was a castle, a place of refuge for the family. When behind its doors, the family conducted its affairs without interruption and without outside influence. Now one can hardly eat a meal or conduct family worship without the phone ringing. Sacrosanct family time is violated daily. Friends and strangers alike barge right into the middle of the family’s most private and intimate moments via technology. Again my question is, is this progress? ”
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“Growing prosperity and technological advancement do not necessarily or automatically mark human progress. I have labored this point because I believe the church has largely failed to recognized the death of family and community or compensate for it. Rather than reaffirm traditional practices that build family life and stimulate community, it has tended to baptize secular trends that do the opposite. The small neighborhood church has given way to the large commuter church. The friendly country parson has been replaced by the suburban CEO/pastor. Older practices such as the “family altar” and the “family pew” have received token attention while new programs have been devised that divide families and segregate the ages. In many ways we have become too clever for our own good.” [Terry L. Johnson from the book "Family Worship: A Resource Book For Family Devotions"] (more…)
There have been many of nights in my household where the laptop, cell phone and television have been permanent fixtures at the dinner table. It all seemed “normal” to me until one day I noticed that saying grace had become reduced to that thing we say before we eat. I especially noticed it with the kids. Prayer at the table coming from them sounded more like a silent mumble that sounded more like they were praying to some statue than the living God who had truly blessed us with the resources to get the food we want and the time we have together.
It did not take long for me to realize that I was the one that needed to make the adjustment, not them. My example at the table was a total joke and I had to do something about it. I have not reached the level of perfection in this department, but looking back we have made some progress.
While blogging can be enjoyable, I oftentimes find that it is easy to miss the true personality of an individual. Depending on the topic, responses to comments are well researched and bullet pointed. However, if you were to actually meet that individual, all the formality is virtually non-existent. And what you are left with is a person who is just as vulnerable, unpolished and nutty as you. Welcome to life beyond the keyboard. (a little off topic here—sorry!)
As much as I love technology, the one thing that will always remain valuable to me is good ol’ face to face conversation. Allowing technology to replace good ‘ol fashioned family time is anything but advancement for the family.
The family: An old institution worth fighting for
by Duane on May 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pmFound this on one of my favorite blogs–oldtruth.com
There have been many of nights in my household where the laptop, cell phone and television have been permanent fixtures at the dinner table. It all seemed “normal” to me until one day I noticed that saying grace had become reduced to that thing we say before we eat. I especially noticed it with the kids. Prayer at the table coming from them sounded more like a silent mumble that sounded more like they were praying to some statue than the living God who had truly blessed us with the resources to get the food we want and the time we have together.
It did not take long for me to realize that I was the one that needed to make the adjustment, not them. My example at the table was a total joke and I had to do something about it. I have not reached the level of perfection in this department, but looking back we have made some progress.
While blogging can be enjoyable, I oftentimes find that it is easy to miss the true personality of an individual. Depending on the topic, responses to comments are well researched and bullet pointed. However, if you were to actually meet that individual, all the formality is virtually non-existent. And what you are left with is a person who is just as vulnerable, unpolished and nutty as you. Welcome to life beyond the keyboard. (a little off topic here—sorry!)
As much as I love technology, the one thing that will always remain valuable to me is good ol’ face to face conversation. Allowing technology to replace good ‘ol fashioned family time is anything but advancement for the family.