A Lenten e-fast

Terri Jo Rayn in the Waco Tribune:

They say the first step toward recovery is admitting there’s a problem.

And Greg Garrett, Episcopal lay preacher and Baylor University professor, admits he has an addiction that threatens his walk with his God: Facebook.

The ubiquitous five-year-old social networking site, with an estimated 175 million users, “is the biggest distraction to my observance of a holy Lent,” he said. “It’s turned into an excuse to do anything other than what I ought to be doing.”

So as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, he’s reclaiming his low-tech spiritual life by going on an “e-fast” for the 40-day penitential season of Lent.

One can acknowledge that Professor Garrett has made a wise personal choice, while still wondering whether the numerous people who loudly proclaim that they are going off-line for Lent aren't blaming technology for personal failings. No?

Posted by Jim Naughton on February 26, 2009 7:25 PM | |
Comments (1)

if Facebook is an addiction that threatens your walk with God, why are you giving it up only for Lent? What does it say about Easter if we take back on the habits we consider bad and gave up for a few weeks?

Lent's point is preparation for the Easter feast. Seems like any Lenten discipline should prepare us better for Resurrection living, not be a taste of it which we will give up come Easter!

Posted by Daniel Simons [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 27, 2009 7:23 AM

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