Archive for July, 2006
Preaching or propaganda in North Korean plan?
OK, so what’s going to happen here — legitimate Christian evangelism or Communist propaganda?
Rick Warren, pastor of one of the mega-churches here in the U.S., announced recently that he will be making a state-approved visit to preach at a stadium in North Korea. At least one Christian blogger insists the trip is nothing but a propaganda gift to the North Korea’s tyrants.
I consider myself a Christian. Jesus is my Savior. I also have lived a few years, been around the block a few times — and even worked for a number of years as a print journalist. So I think I can sound off a bit on this one:
Of course what Rick Warren is doing can be and probably will be used by the North Koreans for major propaganda. That’s what politicians of every stripe and nation do — use everything to make themselves look however they need to look.
But let’s not forget, Rick Warren’s also going to be telling these people about God. Let’s give God a little credit here: He can use the opportunity to touch people’s lives, even if they intend to use it for propaganda. I even dusted off the old Bible and looked up a Bible passage I think applies: “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice” (Philippians 1:15, 18).
Aw, but what do I know about it? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
Technorati Tags: religious news, Christianity, North Koreans, propaganda, converts
Shame on you, or me, or someone anyhow
According to a Washington Post story, everyone from local business to large corporations are feeling the heat from disgruntled customers who spread the word about they’re disatisfaction through the Internet.
In other words: You mess with me, I’ll make sure the world knows about it seems to be the attitude that pays off when it comes to dealing with a lot of corporations.
Many of today’s large businesses have gotten far away from those old days of “the customer’s always right” marketing. (If there ever really were such old days in the first place.) Maybe it does take the promise of public shaming through the use of tools like blogging and webcams to get their attention and to put the word out to potentially thousands of consumers. Maybe we need sometimes to say that some corporate guys are pretty cutthroat and ready to do you evil just to save their bottom line(s).
Or, maybe the Internet, email, blogging, and all those tools are being misused by folks who have a grudge and an attitude. It’s no big surprise that mean-spirited, stupid people know how to take advantage of technology just as us good guys do.
So don’t let dissatisfaction over bad customer service lead you to online actions you’ll regret. But on the other hand, don’t hold back when some scoundrel needs a good public whack about the head and shoulders to warn potential victims about his greedy ways.
Aw, hey, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
Technorati Tags: Internet, blogging, customer service, public shaming, technology news
North Korean nastiness, I guess
How’s this for an ornery little kick in the head on America’s 230th birthday? The North Koreans not only stirred up trouble doing those missile test launches, they did it on Independence Day here in the U.S. And it was also the special day we sent the space shuttle back into space again.
Some of us remember years ago when we fought a real shootin’ match with those guys and China. It was called a “police action” back then. We know it today as the Korean War.
Admittedly, that didn’t bring about a lot of cheer and goodwill for either side. But it ought to be noted that in recent years we’ve offered massive food and financial aid to save their sorry butts from a famine.
Yet once again, we get slapped in the face trying to help another bunch of needy people.
I’m no way in favor of some of the stupid foreign ventures and wars we’ve gotten ourselves into throughout our history as a nation. But it should be noted also that no nation in the history of the world has done more to help starving nations worldwide. Sure, we ain’t perfect. But we’re a darn sight farther along than most nations when it comes to foreign aid and help for the needy.
Come on, North Korea, get with the program — for your own people’s sake as well as the stability of the world.