Posted by Pastor Steven on October 05, 2002 at 22:39:47:
The message board is a wonderful place to discuss all kinds of theoretical, philosophical, psychological, theological, metaphysical, ontological things. (Also various articles pertaining to ham and underwear.) It is a public forum, with lots of intersting ideas from cool people, and a feel rumpled ideas from crinkly people. For what it is, it rocks.
But arms will not come out of the screen and hold you when you feel pain, nor will a dozen friends miraculously appear and pray over you as you type. The band doesn't appear so you can sing praises to Yahweh, nor does someone appear to preach you a personal message. Nobody breaks down crying or falls apart laughing while reading you strange poetry. And nobody hugs you when it's time for you to sign off. The message board clearly has its limits. It is a poor substitute for real communion.
The message board is a valuable connection to those who are separated by distance and/or schedules, and helps to maintain communication until we can again be together. But being together--that is the whole point. To whatever degree the message board helps anyone avoid their need for real fellowship, the message board becomes a detriment.