Comments on: Vanity Googling of Causes

By: Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Fri, 15 Oct 2004 17:03:14 +0000

While Google has indeed dubbed me the spiritual heir to George Fox (thank you all!), I find entries three and four much more interesting. Who knew that Esther Greenleaf Mürer has been “putting her Quaker Bible index online”:http://qbible2.home.att.net/ and has it cross referenced with online editions of Fox’s epistles?. Wow!

By: Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Mon, 04 Oct 2004 19:24:42 +0000

Joe: yes, I posted the article because I think a lot of people don't really understand how the internet is being used. There's a divide between those who use the internet to learn something new--to hear opposing points of view or to explore a leading--and those who use it only to confirm their current worldview. Do we Google to be transformed or simply to argue our case? Of course, this isn't really about the internet, or even a particular search engine. The larger issue is one of human nature. Are we able to see beyond our small little group, to look past differences of style or language to embrace our brothers and sisters in the Spirit? Do we really expect that there's a Great People to be gathered or are we really just content with whatever small cozy setup we've got going?

By: Joe G.

Joe G. — Sun, 03 Oct 2004 11:38:58 +0000

Enjoyed the article on the Googlisms; and I agree that the web has done far more in outreach to people interested in Quakerism than any Quaker organization has done. Just check out the Belief.net Quaker discussion boards.
Using a search engine such as Google to “proof text” one’s position is very tempting. Mia culpa! OTH, it can be far more interesting to google for the opposing point of view and see what you get.