The guys over at BusinessLogs.com (who run the popular 9rules blog network) suggest in a recent post that Web 2.0 sites like Digg.com and YouTube are powering a new Atheism movement they dub Atheism 2.0:
There is no “type” of person who might be an atheist, but if you look at Web 2.0 community sites like Digg and YouTube, you’ll see a growing number of users there who display anti-religion or pro-Atheism sentiments. I would go so far as to argue that without large tech-oriented sites like Digg and YouTube, the Atheism 2.0 movement would not have taken off as quickly as it has.
(If you’re unfamiliar with Digg and/or YouTube, roll out from under that rock you’ve been hiding under here’s a brief explanation: YouTube.com is a web site that enables users to upload their personal videos and share their with the world. Digg.com is a news site where users submit news stories and vote for their favorite ones).
Being a regular Digg reader, and an some-times YouTube user, I think their anecdotal evidence is on the money. Their analysis also holds water:
This article isn’t analyzing if there is a God or not, or if Richard Dawkins’ theories are correct, but that Digg and YouTube are extremely powerful devices to project a message to the masses. If you combine the two, as many people have in regards to Atheism, it becomes a veritable force that can sway public opinion like few other outlets can.
That analysis aside, I don’t know if we can draw long-term conclusions about Atheism 2.0 as a movement. Techies, as a group, tend to lean towards atheism in greater numbers than the general public. Therefore, it makes sense that techie-driven sites like Digg and YouTube will lean towards atheism faster than other worldviews, including Christianity. As these tools become more mainstream, though, there’s a strong chance we’ll see more diversity in the content presented.
But why wait? Here’s some suggestions on how you can utilize tools like Digg and YouTube today to spread the Gospel:
- Upload video of your church services to YouTube. It’s free, and it’s a great way to share a slice of your church family with the rest of the world.
- Upload audio your services to audio-centric sites like Odeo.com.
- Start participating in communities like Digg.com. Submit stories you like. Vote on stories you like. Add your 2 cents via comments. But remember, you’re representing Christ every time you comment, so please don’t be a troll. If you’re new the Internet world and comments, check out Think Christian’s discussion guidelines for tips on crafting a great comment.
- Start a blog and talk about your walk with Jesus. Blogger, WordPress, and Vox are all free services you can use to get started. Don’t know what to write about? Here are some starting points: Write about a recent mission trip; share a personal story of faith; critique a book, album, television show or movie from a Christian perspective; If you’re an expert in a particular topic (cooking, health, business, whatever) wrote about the intersection of faith and that topic.
So what’s your take on Atheism 2.0? And do you have any suggestions on using the Web for Jesus?
Update: The original story got Dugg, so make sure you check out the discussion there as well.
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January 9, 2007 at 15:11
Another factor that selectively encourages atheism on sites like this is anonymity. It’s the same thing that has made a large part of Web 1.0 so attractive for immorality. People finally have a “safe” place from which to shock the world.
January 9, 2007 at 17:26
I personally love the suggestion that we, as Christians, start taking advantage of this user-driven force we call web 2.0! Whatever you interests are (mine are science, tech, and politics), you can start a blog and write about those things from your personal Christian perspective! That’s exactly what I did at my blog.
On the topic of atheism, I think it’s high time we Christians recognize it. We can’t keep ignoring these groups! I feel so strongly about it that I actually invited a penpal friend of mine, an atheist mind you, to guest blog for me so that my Christian readers would be purposefully exposed to atheism!
http://www.nathanrice.org/2007/01/03/the-nature-of-atheism/
Just remember that everyone is allowed to use this new medium to express their beliefs, but I believe that Christians have a MANDATE to do so. If we don’t, we and our religion will get left in the dust.
P.S. Tom, I totally agree with your assessment. Excellent point!
January 10, 2007 at 01:41
I agree with Tom Gilson. It gives this group of “brave” people (those who want others to believe what they don’t believe) an opportunity to spread their dark message of doom, despair and hopelessness to the rest of the world.
John 1:4-5 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
January 10, 2007 at 07:02
I guess the catholic church had this argument about 500 years ago, too, when Gutenberg found out how to print books.
January 10, 2007 at 10:09
I too am I frequent Digg and YouTube reader and it really hurts me when I read comments trashing our Lord and Savior and us who follow Him. I’m however not sure if those comments are really influencing others to atheism, but allow those who are atheist to express their opinions more openly. I think its more so the anti-christian/anti-Bible articles and videos that are influencing people. Getting the atheists fired up and those who are unsure about Christianity the wrong information about the religion.
Btw, I love your site. I was trying to find a Christian Blog and found this through Digg! Keep it up!
January 11, 2007 at 03:52
http://www.blasphemychallenge.com/
Is Web 2.0 offering some very frightening things for Atheism 2.0…yeah, actually.
But, on the other hand, look at what the web has done for Christianity and theism: theologyweb.com, amazing blogs like this one, the ability to offer parodies to the “Get a Mac” ads to the mainstream public. Web 2.0 is powering EVERY movement. Atheism 2.0 just seems to be jumping on in a very vocal manner.
January 11, 2007 at 08:21
Another factor that selectively encourages atheism on sites like this is anonymity. It’s the same thing that has made a large part of Web 1.0 so attractive for immorality.
Getting the atheists fired up and those who are unsure about Christianity the wrong information about the religion.
Good points!
Btw, I love your site. I was trying to find a Christian Blog and found this through Digg! Keep it up!
Thanks, Daryl.
January 18, 2007 at 23:08
I think Onkel Toby makes a good point. Saying that it’s all evil and hiding or burying your head in the sand isn’t going to change anything.
But what I really want to say should interest you because, I’m not a Christian, but a Buddhist, therefore, I’ve got something like an objective third person stance on this discussion.
Firstly, I found this site via digg.com. So is digg really that bad? IMHO, the web is just like a collective human mind. There’s plenty of trashy stuff on it, but there’s some uplifting and useful stuff there too. There will always – at least for the foreseeable future – be human behaviour that lacks virtue. At least the web is an honest representation of what’s going on in the human mind (n.b: I guess you guys use the word “soul”, but lets not get into semantics). What matters is how each one of us chooses to use it. ;
)Secondly, I’m really amazed at the very high quality (both in terms of technology used and the quality of the content) that is being offered by some Christian sites. (Yes, I’ve come snooping for tips. ;) ) It seems that Christian webmasters haven’t been lazy, and have done a good job staying fresh and relevant. By comparison, the vast majority of Buddhist sites are in the dark ages of Web 1.0 and there’s not much indication of progress. As religious web sites go, Christian ones are at the forefront, so give yourselves a break and pat yourselves on the back.
And finally, my observation is that some (many?) Christians get very emotional and attached, many feel obligated to convert all the atheists. Whilst I can understand why this is so, this prevents you from being able to see the situation objectively. A lot of what some of you guys perceive as “anti-Christian” is actually light-hearted fun. Now I’m not saying I agree with it, I’m just saying that these people do it partly because you guys take it all so seriously. If you could laugh at yourselves a bit, they’d get bored and move on to someone else who takes themselves seriously. That’s just my 2c worth, you’re welcome to disagree if you like.
And FTR, whilst I have a strong faith myself, I don’t get easily offended. Some people came to me with a campaign to shut down a bar called the “Buddha Bar”. I told them to relax and forget about it. If we had made a fuss it would have hit the media and made us look like a bunch of up-tight squares, and before you know it, there’d be prostitutes dressed up as monks and nuns, “Buddha” branded sex toys, “Dharma Cola” and the rest. Just remember, contraversy sells. So if you want to stop everyone using the image and name of Christ as a whipping boy, take his advice and forgive them when they do.
Peace be with you…
January 20, 2007 at 00:50
Buddhism in it’s strictest sense IS Atheist.
February 3, 2007 at 06:26
Interesting site!
Just one point about the anonymity aspect, there is a reason that many like to cover up their identities.
Most of us (atheists) want a sensible debate about religion and, just as with any topic, it makes sense to poke a bit of fun at times. I’ve had many Christians poke fun at me as an atheist and I’ll do the same back to Christianity.
However, I started my blog a couple of weeks ago. In that time I’ve received death threats, been told that God will kill me by running me over with a truck, by giving me Aids because Aids is sent down from God to kill gays (people seem to think that because I stick up for gay people I must be a homosexual) and so on.
I decided that rather than leaving my details openly available on the site I would take them down. I’m not really interested in risking my life or my family’s lives and that’s what it comes down to when you declare yourself and atheist and run a site such as mine.
Now I’m sure you guys and girls might take offense at some of what I say. Fine, I take offense at some of the things you say but that’s part of feeling strongly about a subject.
I would never dream of threatening anyone yet my blog (which has only had about 500 unique visits) inspires those of religious faith the threaten me.
Right now I won’t make any greater attempts to cover up who I am but if it carries on then of course I will have to be very careful about any personal information I give out.
So I don’t think it’s fair to criticize atheists for sometimes being secretive about who they are. Often, we do so for self preservation from Christians who feel they need to kill us to spread the word of love…..
One last point (I’ve rambled I know) there are professional reasons why one might want to hide their identity. I think it’s fair to say that many people’s careers could be ruined by their customers or colleagues finding out they hold atheist views.
This is a nice site, I disagree with 99% of what you say but it’s nice to see other arguments. As much as atheists disagree with you guys, I very much doubt they’re sending you death threats. Its a shame that people from both your religion and others feel the need to resort to violent conduct to get a point across.
So as a long winded answer to ” People finally have a “safe” place from which to shock the world.”
Trust me, it’s not very safe!
Thanks for listening
Michael