God’s got mail; you’ve got a pricetag.
While poking around on Twitter, a friend of mine posted this site. Prayabout.com is a different type of social network; more solemn than Myspace and less denominational than Mychurch.
It’s a simple premise really. People submit a prayer about anything that is irking them in life and fellow users can write encouraging comments. When you sign up, you can choose a little avatar or upload your own pic, which is in accordance to the social net code. The part where it gets a little strange is the concept of lighting candles, [from the site]:
“When you light candles for a prayer request, it gets listed higher up on the list…You receive candles when you invite your friends to the site…You can purchase candles with your credit card or checking account via PayPal.”
Working at a startup, I understand the concept of making money from a website. Being a religious person, I am familiar with the idea of a collection tray being passed around. But why does this feel as if it is an elementary school fund raiser, where the more you sell the closer you get to getting that shiny new bike?
There are other sites that offer prayer, for no foreseeable cost. Every Sunday, for instance, I enjoy hearing minister Joel Osteen speak on the tube. On his website, they offer a web form for prayer. A number of other ministries across the web offer a similar service free of charge. I also am a huge fan of group prayer. I do feel a different vibration in the air when I walk into a church or temple; seeing a group of people united for good is always a wonderful experience. However, I doubt the validity of doing a group prayer online–or if God even does check his cyber inbox.
In some strange way, Prayabout becomes almost a popularity contest for people seeking help from a higher being via group energy [referring to the candle statement]. I have been through some tough times myself and can relate to how vulnerable these folks must be. One man is praying that his wife can conceive, while a young mother grieves the death of her husband, and hopes that her two young boys can remember him. It could be easy to pour money in a website and believe that there are people out there that are genuinely praying for you.
Judging by the number of posts, the site seem to be relatively popular. As it stands with religion, it mostly is whatever floats your boat. Whether that’s worshiping in a temple or on an internet forum is a personal decision. Just a word of warning…watch out where you invest online. Many things that we need as humans are given out for free by those who love you and your fellow man.
A classic take, by George Michael.
Great article about an often difficult subject. Like anything else on the Internet, “caveat browser”. There are great communities of people who truly want to use spiritual means to help others, and I think that PrayAbout is trying to the Digg metaphor for prayer. While novel, I think the idea goes too far in an area that is far too personal and intimate. I think that even something like targeted ads (that point people to counseling sites specific to their prayer needs) would be better.
Also, I think you and I share December 4th as our birthday. If so, Happy Birthday!
Good blog and good Georgie song!
Great blog entry and complimentary video/song.