Ghostwriting Haunts Christian Publishing

0 Comments | Insight on the News, August 14, 2000 | by Larry Witham

RELATED ARTICLE: Believers Debate Internet's Value

The Internet explosion is prodding Americans to debate its blessings and curses. While traditional religious groups struggle to keep up with computer tools to spread the faith, scientists who are believers wonder whether man or machine will control the future.

"We can be overwhelmed by the complexity of the things we are facing," says Donald Knuth, a pioneer in computer programming and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. "God wants these things to be mysteries. The important thing is the journey, not the destination."

In some Christian circles, the anonymity of the World Wide Web is considered an asset in a skeptical society that shies away from organized religion. The Calvary Church in Los Gatos, Calif., in the foothills of Silicon Valley, has built a "a church within a church" -- an Internet ministry that now draws 35,000 visitors a month -- to reach Web surfers.

"I was dragged into it kicking and screaming," says the Rev. Fred Wilson, a rural Oregon pastor before coming to Silicon Valley. "The Internet was already happening with the younger generation, so we didn't have to create the interest."

In a study of Catholic young people, sociologist James Davidson of Purdue University found that institutional ties are weak, though young Catholics still strongly identify with the Eucharist, Mary, and helping the poor. "So what can these young people bring to the church? They can bring everything they know about computers and technology," says Davidson.

To target the chaotic Internet world, the Christian Internet initiative is using venture capital to create one, all-purpose Internet presence. The initiative, says Walter P. Wilson, a Silicon Valley businessman and author of The Internet Church, will reach mainland Chinese, train pastors in developing countries and provide link to local activities.

--LW