Laying out six spiritual practices, Haidt postulates that the phone-based life “is incompatible with many of the behaviors that religious and spiritual communities practice.” Because of this, he puts forward the idea that religious people in particular are extremely capable of taking a leadership role in changing culture. I think he is on to something here.
When I read this chapter I felt so frustrated that the church, which should be a light to the world (especially regarding toxic tech), was getting schooled by an atheist. And he was right on every count.
But now I see that Haidt has the advantage over the average pastor, in that he isn't beholden to pleasing a congregation. He just studies the data and writes what he sees. And he's honest enough to see reality for what it is and to report it accurately.
But pastors have to tickle our ears. And so many Christian parents have accepted Big Tech's propaganda, hook line and sinker. We buy the lies (from the father of lies) of "it's a tool, it's just how you use it," or, "my kids need this because I need to contact them or they'll be left behind," while ignoring the addictive and destructive attributes that have been known and documented for years.
So if a pastor even wanted to encourage parents not to give their kids personal internet devices until adulthood (or that they should address their own addictions), imagine the hate mail he'd get on Monday morning.
So maybe it's God's grace that he raised up an unlikely "prophet" in Haidt.
However God can get our attention, may he do it. So keep up the great work!
So helpful, Emily. Thank you!
When I read this chapter I felt so frustrated that the church, which should be a light to the world (especially regarding toxic tech), was getting schooled by an atheist. And he was right on every count.
But now I see that Haidt has the advantage over the average pastor, in that he isn't beholden to pleasing a congregation. He just studies the data and writes what he sees. And he's honest enough to see reality for what it is and to report it accurately.
But pastors have to tickle our ears. And so many Christian parents have accepted Big Tech's propaganda, hook line and sinker. We buy the lies (from the father of lies) of "it's a tool, it's just how you use it," or, "my kids need this because I need to contact them or they'll be left behind," while ignoring the addictive and destructive attributes that have been known and documented for years.
So if a pastor even wanted to encourage parents not to give their kids personal internet devices until adulthood (or that they should address their own addictions), imagine the hate mail he'd get on Monday morning.
So maybe it's God's grace that he raised up an unlikely "prophet" in Haidt.
However God can get our attention, may he do it. So keep up the great work!