Those of you who have followed the development of Jim Paris’ Christian Chirp social network and micro-blog have certainly been witness to the many attacks received against it from both Christians and non-Christians alike. It is the attacks from self-proclaimed Christians that have been particularly curious, given the fair assumption on our part that we’re all, more or less, on the same team. Alas, that is, apparently, not the case. Many Christian bloggers have gone after us, including high-profile members of the community like Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, which, by most accounts, can be fairly described as the largest Christian publishing house in the world. Mr. Hyatt posted a short blog wherein he referred to the Christian Chirp creation as a “Christian ghetto.” He has since removed the piece, but what he said proclaimed the primary grievance that most of the others seem to have with it: that it’s bad for Christians to segregate unto themselves.
I think that notion is disingenuous, at best. I doubt Michael Hyatt spends much time in the company of those whose values he does not share; would he not describe his own efforts at trying to remain with and among like-minded and like-valued people as a type of self-insulation, and if that is true, would that not qualify the resulting circle as a “ghetto?” The simple realty is that it is perfectly natural to want to be with others who see the world in the same way in which we do. Where is the line drawn? Are Christian schools a form of “ghetto?” What about churches, for that matter? If one homeschools his children, could the case not be made that a sort of ghetto results from the network of Christian homeschoolers that is created?
The fact that many of us choose to enjoy associations and fellowship in groups that reflect our values does not mean we will have nothing to do with general society. The reality is that it is precisely because we spend so much time in society that we like to have the occasional option of being in groups that more closely reflect our own views of the world. The two need not be mutually exclusive, and indeed, this sort of segmenting occurs on such a wide variety of bases throughout society to such a massively great degree that it’s silly to suggest that it doesn’t, or that it’s inherently wrong. In truth, if Michael Hyatt and the others who think as he does believe that Christian Chirp is a ghetto, then I have an uncomfortable revelation for them all: the world is comprised of “ghettos” of all types, and if you’re going to dig after ours, then pack a big lunch, get back to your computers, and start blogging again…because you have a long, long way to go before you’ve successfully taken a swipe at every last one of them…including the ones to which you belong.
Agree or disagree; please register your comments below.
Follow me on Christian Chirp at www.christianchirp.com/robertyetman.
Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor-At-Large www.ChristianMoney.com
Well said Bob, I think this guy spends too much time on his computer instead of spending time with his children and maybe his children children if he has any.
Posted by: Maurie Hodgins Down Under | November 14, 2009 at 03:43 PM
C'mon Guys, Bob has taken time out to write this, how about leaving a message, you can do well to look at this also
www.queenslandtravelaustralia.com , sorry Bob, I couldn't pass up the opportunity, you might like to come out to the Gold Coast with Jim next year, Jim is hand delivering a T-shirt for me.He's just too kind.
cheers M and M
Posted by: Maurie Hodgins Down Under | November 21, 2009 at 11:02 PM