My Way News - Pakistan Causes Worldwide YouTube Outage
AP reports: "On Friday, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority ordered 70 Internet service providers to block access to YouTube.com, because of anti-Islamic movies on the video-sharing site, which is owned by Google Inc."

Comment: It's scary that a country with a religious and ideological agenda can disrupt global internet service. Think about this: an Islamic country seeking to prevent people from watching anti-Islamic movies on a video-sharing site has the power to prevent you from watching those movies...even if you are not in that country. What's to prevent them from targeting pro-Christian movies?

My Way News - Encrypted Laptop Poses Legal Dilemma
AP reports: "Tien, the attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said a person's right to keep a password secret is a linchpin of the digital age. Encryption is 'really the only way you can secure information against prying eyes,' he said. 'If it's too easy to compel people to produce their crypto keys, it's not much of a protection.'"

My Way News - China Steps Up Internet Video Control
AP reports: "The rules are aimed at expanding a Chinese censorship system that tries to block Internet use to spread dissent while promoting it for business and education. Communist leaders are especially anxious about unflattering video showing up online ahead of the Beijing Olympics in August, a major prestige project."

My Way News - Access to YouTube Resumes in Turkey
AP reports: "Access to the popular video-sharing Web site YouTube resumed on Thursday, six days after a court ordered it blocked because of clips allegedly insulting the country's founding father."

My Way News - Turkey Bans YouTube for Second Time
AP reports: "A Turkish court has again blocked access to the popular video-sharing Web site YouTube because of clips allegedly insulting the country's founding father, according to reports Sunday."

My Way News - UK Says It Wants to Tackle Net Terror
AP reports: "But Internet service providers and experts say they could be accused of corporate censorship and face a mess of lawsuits if they must carry out any government order to aggressively police the Internet."

My Way News - China Limits Providers of Internet Video
AP reports: "China has moved to restrict videos online, allowing only state-controlled sites to post any - including those shared by users - and requiring Internet providers to delete and report a variety of content."

My Way News - Ask.com to Unveil New Privacy Control
AP reports: "Hoping to establish itself as the Internet's least intrusive search engine, Ask.com is empowering people to prevent their search requests from being deposited in data banks. The new privacy control, called "AskEraser," is scheduled to be unveiled Tuesday. When it's turned on, the safeguard purges a user's search requests from Ask.com's computers within a few hours."

For those of you looking to practice safe searching, this may be a good tool.

Syria blocks access to Facebook - Yahoo! News
AP reports: "Syrian authorities have blocked Facebook, the popular Internet hangout, over what seems to be fears of Israeli 'infiltration' of Syrian social networks on the Net, according to residents and media reports."

My Way News - Video Web Site Gets Religion

AP reports: "GodTube.com, a video-sharing site with Christian content, drew more than 4 million unique visitors during October. It maintains more than 150,000 registered users with active profiles. Plans for the future include producing entertainment programs at the site's headquarters north of Dallas."

My Way News - Swiss Votes to Use 'Unbreakable' Code
AP reports: "A new 'unbreakable' encryption method will be keep votes safe for citizens in the Swiss canton (state) of Geneva in the country's upcoming national elections, officials said Thursday. The city-state will use quantum technology to encrypt election results as they are sent to the capital on Oct. 21, said Nicolas Gisin of the University of Geneva."

Comment: While I'm not sure this technology will be not available to consumers for quite some time, it does seem like it's time for a PGP for the 21st Century.

My Way News - China Censors Ratchet Up Web Monitoring
AP reports: "In the lead-up to the sensitive Communist Party Congress, which convenes Monday to approve top leaders who will serve under President Hu Jintao through 2012, authorities have been casting an even wider net than usual in their search for Web content they deem to be politically threatening or potentially destabilizing."

China Cracks Down on Dissent
Here are two news reports that suggest that the underground church in China is in for some very difficult times as the Olympics approach:

My Way News - China Closes Christian-Linked Businesses
AP reports: "China has closed two businesses whose owners allegedly sought Christian converts in a traditionally Muslim region and also revoked the visa of an American citizen for illegal proselytizing, a rights group said Wednesday."

My Way News - Rights Group Condemns China Net Controls
AP reports: "Though the communist government promotes Internet use, it also has set up an extensive surveillance and filtering system to prevent Chinese citizens from accessing material considered obscene or politically subversive."

My Way News - Cell Phones, Web Spread News of Myanmar
AP reports: "Cell phones and the Internet are playing a crucial role in telling the world about Myanmar's pro-democracy protests, with video footage sometimes transmitted one frame at a time. Reporters Without Borders said Wednesday the junta has cut some cell phone service."

Comment: This is a great example of cyber dissidents using the internet to fight repression. It's also, unfortunately, an example of how a government can restrict internet access.

My Way News - Chinese Catholic Bishop Dies in Custody
AP reports: "A bishop who led an underground congregation of Roman Catholics and was repeatedly detained in China for his loyalty to the Vatican died in police custody, a monitoring group said Tuesday. [...] China's officially atheist communist government requires that Christians of all denominations worship in state-registered churches. Millions, however, instead worship in underground churches - known as 'house churches' because services are often held in private homes - risking arrest, fines and official harassment."

GODSurfer.com
Here is a great resource to help promote Christian websites, articles, blogs and other internet resources. GODSurfer.com is:

a tool to spread the good word of Jesus Christ to the world. This includes all faiths of Christianity (Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, and Christian Non-Denominational). Although GODSurfer.com is tolorant of other religions and point of views the main point of GODSurfer.com is to spread the word of GOD to everyone who comes across this site.

This site is similar to digg and reddit in that it allows registered members to vote on the submissions. So, benefit from the wisdom of the crowd, a Christian crowd, and visit GODSurfer.com today.

Internet Surveillance
Here is an interesting development, a proposal to enlist ISPs in government surveillance programs (Torrent Freak - Congressman wants ISPs to be Copyright Police):

With warrentless wiretapping sweeping the US, a leading congressman is proposing similar measures for the Internet. This isn't an attempt at "fighting terror" but instead a new measure to reduce so-called "piracy" by making the ISPs the police force.

This is a proposal in the United States, but it's a reminder of the capability that all governments have to control the internet.

Protect your web searches
What's the best way to protect your web searches? This article from Lifehacker (Technophilia: Protect your web searches) recommends several basic strategies as well as some software and web services that can help you surf without leaving too much of a trail. This could be especially important for our brothers and sisters in China, where the government has just launched a new high visibility web surveillance program (BBC News - Virtual police patrol China web).

Wikiklesia
Here is a new effort to use internet technology to spread the gospel using a wiki type format:

An online Christian publishing experiment called the Wikiklesia Project has produced its first collaborative ecclesial e-book, VOICES OF THE VIRTUAL WORLD.

The Wikiklesia Project collected the thoughts of more than 40 writers--from technologists to theologians--to reflect on the influence of technology on the global Christian church. The book took just a few weeks to complete, according to Wikiklesia co-founder John La Grou.

Could the project be a bellwether for changes in the church itself? "We long to see a church saturated with decentralized cooperation," according to the publisher's statement. "The improbable notion of books that effectively publish themselves is one of many ways that can help move us closer to this global ecclesial connectedness."

My Way News - Uri Geller Runs Afoul of YouTube Users
AP reports: "'All it takes is a single e-mail to completely censor someone on the Internet,' said Jason Schultz, a lawyer for the online civil rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation, which is suing Geller over an unflattering clip posted on YouTube for which he claimed a copyright ownership."

My Way News - Google Fights Global Internet Censorship
AP reports: "A study released last month by the OpenNet Initiative found that 25 of 41 countries surveyed engage in Internet censorship. That's a dramatic increase from the two or three countries guilty of the practice in 2002, says John Palfrey, executive director of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School, who helped prepare the report. China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, India, Singapore and Thailand, among others, are increasingly blocking or filtering Web pages, Palfrey says."

Internet Freedom
There are parts of the world in which Christians can not use the Internet to share the good news of the Gospel. Why? Because the Internet that many of us take for granted is under the control of countries hostile to the gospel. We think of the Internet as an open marketplace, the ultimate expression of the freedom to share ideas and opinions, but it is a marketplace in which the tools of control and surveillance are growing stronger in the hands of those least trustworthy. Consider this report by the OpenNet Initiative (AP - Study finds 25 countries block Web sites):

At least 25 countries around the world block Web sites for political, social or other reasons as governments seek to assert authority over a network meant to be borderless, according to a study out Friday. [...] China, Iran, Myanmar, Syria, Tunisia and Vietnam had the most extensive filters for political sites. Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen had the strictest social-filtering practices, blocking pornography, gambling and gay and lesbian sites.

What this report does not mention, and should, is that these countries consider the expression of Christian sentiments to be on a par with pornography and other blocked sites. This is yet another reminder that the Internet can be used as a tool for good or evil and while our task is to use it for good, we must also be aware of how it is being used and misused by those against religious and political freedom.

My Way News - Rights group accuses Yahoo of helping China arrest and torture
AP reports: "A human rights group sued Yahoo Inc. Wednesday on grounds the U.S. search company assisted China's communist government with torture by revealing information that led to the arrest of dissidents.[...] Activists, meanwhile, have criticized Cisco Systems Inc. for selling computer networking equipment that could potentially be used to monitor Internet use."

My Way News - New Service Creates Custom News Sites
AP reports: "A new service lets visitors create custom news sites centered around niche hobbies, business ventures and other special interests, pulling stories on the topic from some 25,000 news sources. [...] Congoo's new News Circles lets you pull news from about 480 predetermined categories or create your own using keywords. Once you've set up a circle, you can share the collection with friends and colleagues who have similar interests and needs. Others may add comments on specific items within the circle."

This could be a great resource for those interested in aggregating news reports related to Bible prophecy in general, or more specific topic areas like persecution or missionary work. I think I'll give it a try when I have some free time. If any of you are using this Congoo service, let us know what you think about it.

UPDATE: I created a site using the Congoo service, I called it Portents News Circle, and so far I have to say the service is interesting. I've added channels for news on Europe, Israel, Russia, Iran, Mideast, Syria, e-commerce, health, online banking, religion, data privacy, mobile industry and RFID. Please drop by and take a look. The service is also designed to be interactive, if you send me your e-mail address (or leave it in a comment below) I can have the service subscribe you and this will allow you to comment on the news. Their emphasis seems to be on community building. Anyway, give it a try, let's see how this works.

My Way News - Outwardly Open, China Keeps Censoring
AP reports: "In the midst of a sensitive political season, China's machinery of state control is gearing up to make sure that nothing goes astray, including people's thinking."

China leading crackdown on Internet: media watchdog - Yahoo News
AFP reports, "Backed by 'armies' of cyber-police, China is spearheading an increasingly sophisticated movement by repressive regimes to restrict the Internet, a global media watchdog said in its annual report.[...] China remains the most powerful force in controlling the Internet not just through technology, but through old-fashioned manpower and depth of resources, according to the watchdog."

My Way News - Egyptian Blogger Gets 4 Years in Prison
AP reports: "An Egyptian blogger was convicted Thursday and sentenced to four years in prison for insulting Islam and Egypt's president, sending a chill through fellow Internet writers who fear a government crackdown."

Techdirt: German Court Says Police Cannot Put Spyware On Someone's Computer
Teckdirt reports: "As various legal systems grapple with new, technology-related issue, it appears that a German court has come down firmly against the idea of allowing police to use remote spying techniques to record what a suspect does on his or her computer."

Here is yet another optimistic report on the potential for the Internet to aid those living and working in oppressive regimes (TechDirt - Can A Wiki Force Transparency On Oppressive Regimes?):

In 1971, when Pentagon employee Daniel Ellsberg leaked classified documents to The New York Times detailing US aggression during the Vietnam War, he had to find a way to quietly photocopy thousands of pages. Today, he could just put everything up on a wiki. A new site called Wikileaks is offering a way for dissident government employees working under oppressive regimes to anonymously leak information on their government's behavior. The site, which is backed by proponents of ethical leaking, is chiefly targeting countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Use a wiki, by all means, use all the tools that the Internet provides, but also understand that repressive governments will do everything in their power to turn this technology back on the user.

My Way News - China: Web Censorship Report Groundless
AP reports: "China was one of 13 countries singled out by Reporters Without Borders in a 24-hour online protest Wednesday against Internet censorship. The others were: Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam." Interesting how most of these countries also actively persecute believers.

Freedom and the Internet
Amnesty International is asking bloggers to show their support for the plight of fellow bloggers jailed for what they wrote in their online journals. The organization says freedom of expression and privacy "are under threat from governments that want to control what their citizens say, and what information they can access."

What Are DigiTracts?
DigiTracts are presentations of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Each presentation includes music, animation and biblically sound content. You can view the DigiTracts online, download them to your computer or embed them in your own webpages to share with visitors.

WaPo - Cyber-Savvy Pastors Blog When the Spirit Moves Them
The Washington Post reports on how some churches and pastors are using the latest internet technology to share the gospel (Matthew 24:14):

Reaching out to younger generations has long been one of the major challenges for ministers, but hundreds think they have found an answer in blogging. A growing number are taking the Gospel to the Web hoping to get people thinking daily about faith. Many pastors say blogging has become an increasingly integral part of their ministry as they attempt to reverse the decline in church attendance by people in their twenties and thirties.

I think this is a great idea and I think all churches should have official blogs and all Christian writers should be encouraged to start blogs and share their faith on the internet.

Godcasting
USA Today reports ('Godcasting:' Love that new-time religion) on churches using the latest technology, including HD broadcasting and podcasting, to share the gospel. With the internet, the world is your pulpit.

InformationWeek - Five Ways To Keep Your Google Searches Private
IWeek reports, "Word that the government has been seeking search data from Google has struck fear into the hearts of Internet Explorer and Firefox users. Here are five simple steps to keep outsiders from uncovering private information about your Web browsing habits."

Google's Dangerous Kowtow to China
Google won liberty points last week for fighting a federal subpeana to turn over massive amounts of search data to the U.S. government. They earn demerits this week for agreeing to censor their search engine to satisfy Beijing's desire for social and political control (BBC - Google move 'black day' for China). What happened to Google's "do no evil" motto?

Bloggers Fight Repression
Some time ago I linked to a news report about a guide published to help bloggers avoid the tactics used by repressive governments to control the Internet. The guide contains information that would be useful to human rights activists and missionaries operating in China, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and other countries that limit free expression. There is a chance that the news report may be outdated and the link may have expired, but the guide itself can be found here in PDF.

Using Mobile Devices
The Web Evangelism Newsletter had a report about using mobile devices to share the gospel:

Although mobile devices have been with us for some years, till now there have not been too many avenues to use the medium for evangelism. With the
new 3G devices, things may change. At last it is practical to download, and pass to friends, video and cartoon clips. There is great potential for short specially-made downloads of this type, and Christians are discussing the best way to utilize this medium. They recommend ATS Tracts as one of several groups developing material in this area. Finally, check out the Gospelcom guide to mobile tech.

Now that the enemy is preparing to send porn to mobile devices, I think it's only fair to counter with the Gospel.

Guardian Unlimited - State Dept. Cites Saudi Arabia on Rights
The Guardian Unlimited reports on the release of the annual U.S. State Department report on religious freedom:

The State Department cited Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for denying religious freedom to non-Muslims and found fault to a lesser degree with other allies including Israel, Belgium, France, Germany and Pakistan...Burma was accused of severe violations of religious freedom. China was faulted for showing insufficient respect for freedom of religion, Cuba for controlling and monitoring religious activities, and North Korea for not permitting religious freedom at all. Listed as hostile toward minority or nonapproved religions were Eritrea, Iran, Laos, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, as well as Saudi Arabia. The State Department said that in Iran, Sunni Muslims, Bahais, Jews and Christians reported imprisonment, harassment, intimidation and discrimination based on religious belief. Burma was accused of severe violations of religious freedom. China was faulted for showing insufficient respect for freedom of religion, Cuba for controlling and monitoring religious activities, and North Korea for not permitting religious freedom at all. Listed as hostile toward minority or nonapproved religions were Eritrea, Iran, Laos, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, as well as Saudi Arabia. The State Department said that in Iran, Sunni Muslims, Bahais, Jews and Christians reported imprisonment, harassment, intimidation and discrimination based on religious belief.

Let's agree to pray for the persecuted church in these countries, that they will persevere and continue to shine the light of hope amid dark oppression.

IFC - The Aftermath of GodBlogCon
Internet For Christians (IFC) Andy Rau gives a post-conference report for all of us who missed it:

October 28, 2005 -- GodBlogCon is over, but even if you didn't attend, you can benefit from the conference, as the media reports on it and as attendees blog about their experiences. An article at Wired provides a good basic overview of the conference's goals and highlights. If you want more specific details on the conference, the GodBlogCon blog is the place to check--it's got links to the many bloggers who attended and blogged their impressions, experiences, and opinions. In particular, this post provides a comprehensive look at reactions from all over the internet. Thanks to the conference and its blogging attendees for sharing their conference experiences online for everyone who couldn't make it this year!

Wow, I wish I could have gone. I didn't even hear about it until after it was underway...maybe next year.

Miami Herald - 'Left Behind' screened in 3,200 churches
The latest installment in the film version of the blockbuster Left Behind books (and blog inspiration) is being screened in churches and will soon be available to consumers.

Yahoo News - 'God Bloggers' Head to National Conference
Christians are finding news ways to share the Good News: blogging. Yes, using blogs (just like this one) Christians have found yet another tool to present the message of salvation. This AP news report talks about the first national conference for "God bloggers" being held now at Biola University. More information on the conference can be found on the official "GodBlogCon 2005" website.

My Way News - China Wants Only 'Healthy' News on Web

"China said Sunday it is imposing new regulations to control content on its news Web sites and will allow the posting of only 'healthy and civilized' news...Online dissidents who post items critical of the government, or those expressing opinions in chatrooms, are regularly arrested and charged under vaguely worded state security laws."

Evading the Censors
Suppose you are a missionary or human rights worker operating in a repressive country, how would you go about evading Internet censorship? The Reporters Without Borders group has the answer (Yahoo News - Guide Aims to Help Bloggers Beat Censors):

A Paris-based media watchdog has released a free guide with tips for bloggers and dissidents to sneak past Internet censors in countries from China to Iran. Reporters Without Borders' "Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents" is partly financed by the French Foreign Ministry and includes technical advice on how to remain anonymous online. It was launched at the Apple Expo computer show in Paris on Thursday and can be downloaded in Chinese, Arabic, Persian, English and French.

Let's hope this guide offers timely assistance to those shining the light of freedom (both spiritual and political) in the world's darkest places.

Arab Outreach
The Internet For Christians website recommends the Joshua Project as a resource for missionary outreach.

Christians Respond to Katrina
The Christian web portal Internet For Christians offers to following information on how Christians all over the world are responding to the hurricane disaster:

How have Christians around the world reacted to the suffering and devastation unleashed by Hurricane Katrina? With prayer and financial giving, according to a CrossWalk report that describes major disaster relief efforts by religion organizations like the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Convention, and Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. A Yahoo News story describes massive, worldwide prayer directed towards New Orleans, refugees and rescuers. Many relief organizations are reporting generous donations from Christians and others. For more information about the developing situation and the Christian response to it, the Christianity Today weblog has more updates.

Religion News Blog
The Religion News Blog (RNB) provides religion researchers, media personnel, authors, legal professionals, academics and other interested parties with expert-selected news items about religious movements, cults, sects, world religions and related issues (including ethics and human rights concerns).

Bible Commentary Online
Internet For Christians offers yet another invaluable resource for those using the Internet to share the Good News: Classic Bible Commentaries, sponsored by E-Word Today makes it easy to access any commentary author, chapter and book, with cross-links to all authors, chapters and books--only one click away. The Web site also links closely with Bible Gateway so Web surfers can read a Bible passage and read several commentaries about the passage.

Thought Factory Preaches with Reason
Here is another outstanding resource recommended by Internet For Christians. According to their review, the Thought Factory introduces people to Jesus through interviews, people profiles, and topical articles. IFC calls it a, "good example of Christianity, culture and the Internet intersecting to reach out to Web users."

Christians Respond to London Terror Attacks
Christians all over the world are joined in prayer for the victims of the terrorist attacks in London, for their families and loved ones, and for the search for those responsible. Prayer points for the situation are covered in this UK-based Christian news site.

Billy Graham's Last Crusade
The greatest living Christian evangelist will take his bow tonight on the stage in New York. This AP report (MyWay News - Graham to Give Last Crusade Sermon Tonight) demonstrates the reach of his amazing ministry:

Graham has preached to more than 210 million people in 185 countries. He has been sought out by U.S. presidents and leaders worldwide and, more than any other religious figure, has come to represent the American evangelical movement.

One of the things I admire about Billy Graham is the way he has always preached the simplicity of the gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus. Times have changed over the many years of his ministry and the church has changed in many ways, but his message has remained true to the gospel. For more information on the crusade and on Billy Graham, visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. I think his approach is a model for the church in the end times, stay true to the gospel message, don't get distracted by new trends and ideologies, by materialism and culture wars, keep focused on the central message of salvation. The time is short.

Podcasting The Gospel
A podcast is a radio-style show that anyone with a microphone can make on a computer and post to a web site server and they are big now and getting bigger all the time (ipodnn - Report: podcast popularity to skyrocket). Free receiving software allows people to pick podcasts from online directories, download them to any MP3 player such as an Apple iPod -- hence the term "podcast" -- and listen to them at their leisure. So, is anyone out there podcasting the Gospel? Know any good Bible prophecy podcasts? Please use the comments link to recommend your favorite podcasts.

Online Bible Commentaries
Peggie Bohanon of Internet for Christians recommends this set of Bible commentaries: Wycliffe Associates (UK) present the EasyEnglish Bible, a "major new resource of evangelical, theologically-checked, Bible commentaries and Bible texts." These free resources, written in a simple English form developed by Wycliffe Associates (UK), include Bible commentaries, Bible translations, Bible studies and more. These commentaries, noted to be "theologically advanced," are especially valuable for those who do not speak English as a second language and are available for free download or to read online.

Microsoft Helps China Censor the Net
This blog is not about China, but since there is a large underground church in China and China is known as a repressive government, we do mention China quite a bit here. This story about China seeking to control the Internet has been unfolding for some time. China sees the Internet as a tool of commerce, something that can help the country's great leap forward as a totalitarian capitalist society. I'm not sure such a variant has ever existed, but China seems determined to prove that it can. The problem with the Internet is that it also allows people to share information and ideas, and that can be dangerous to a one-party dictatorship. Last week was the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre in which the People's Liberation Army liberated student pro-democracy demonstrators from the shackles of this mortal coil and demonstrated the official party policy on the merits of democracy. Long before that a famous dead communist said that a capitalist will sell you the rope you can use to hang him. We seem to be witnessing the same phenomenon here as Western corporations rush to provide China everything they need to modernize their country (and military) while keeping firm control over their citizen subjects. Major Western corporations like Microsoft are selling technology to China that allows them to monitor and suppress the use of such dangerous keywords as "democracy" and "freedom" on the Internet, including on blogs like this one (InternetNews.com - MSN China Agrees to Ban 'Freedom'). I call upon Christian investors to let Microsoft know they do not wish their money used in support of tyranny and the repression of religious and political minorities.

China Cracks Down, Again
And speaking of China (as we were a few posts back), a new initiative has been announced to control the Internet in that country. According to this report (China to close unregistered domestic Web sites) from NEWS.COM, "China soon will close unregistered domestic Web sites and blogs as the government tightens its grip on the Internet..." This report also notes studies by other media watchdogs who called China, "the world's leading censor of the Internet and said its government employed thousands of officials and private citizens to monitor and control online content." China is demonstrating that an oppressive government can crack down on Internet fueled dissent even in the 21st Century. This does not bode well for the house church movement in China. In many cases, the technology and software that allows China to monitor and control the Internet is being provided by Western companies. I think it is important for Christian investors and voters to let their voice be heard, Western companies should not be profiting from the persecution of political and religious minorities. The techniques of control and intimidation used in China will be exported to other countries, to the Middle East and Africa. The time to act is now, build alliances with underground churches so that lines of communication can remain open, and if your skills run toward the technical side, help them find ways around these new restrictions.

Believers Persecuted
Saudi Arabia is denying that they persecute Christians (AP - Saudis Deny Persecuting Christians). Let's immediately send in a crack squad of missionaries to test their religious tolerance.

Quote of the Day
"Any power must be an enemy of mankind which enslaves the individual by terror and force, whether it arises under the Fascist or the Communist flag. All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded to the individual." --Albert Einstein

Oppression Will Be Blogged
This news report (Censored Singaporeans take to the Internet for free speech - Yahoo! News) suggests that it is still possible to use the Internet to fight an oppressive government. It would appear that Singapore is not quite as adept as China in managing online dissent, but give them time, I'm sure they will catch up. This is the time to use the Internet for witnessing and missionary work in oppressive countries, before governments like Singapore and China master the art of censoring the net.

The Bible Blog
Andy Rau of Internet For Christians recommends this resource, it's a blog about the Bible by the people who translate the Bible. Andy's recommendation: The translators of the English Standard Version Bible have started a blog at which to talk about the ESV, answering questions about the translation and offering related news and information. It's not the first time we've seen an informational website about a Bible translation--not too long ago, an extensive website was set up by the International Bible Society to answer questions and release news about the TNIV Bible -- but this may be the first time a blog has been used for such a purpose. Even if you're not interested in the ESV Bible itself, this is an interesting example of a ministry using a blog to spread information about its services. (Hat tip: Blogs4God.)

Blogging For Human Rights
The idea that the Internet can shine a spotlight on oppression and promote freedom is being revived by bloggers. Human Rights Watch is making an appeal to bloggers to get involved. As their press release puts it:

If you are a blogger, you can use your bully pulpit to stand with the victims and activists to prevent discrimination, uphold political freedom, protect people from inhumane treatment in wartime, and campaign to bring offenders to justice. You can expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable. You can challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.

I'm all for that, especially if Christian bloggers can use their voice to combat religious persecution.

Secure E-Mail Provider Hacked
The Hushmail secure e-mail service that I've previously recommended here was hacked. As this report (Yahoo News - Hushmail DNS Attack Blamed on Network Solutions ) makes clear, the company was not at fault, it was the domain registrar that allowed impostors to gain access to their DNS settings. Still, it's clear that someone doesn't like the idea of consumers having access to secure electronic communication. Secure e-mail is of great use to missionaries working in repressive countries and every TF cell should have some means of secure communication, if only to let VOM and Amnesty know what is really going on.

Persecuted Church
If you are looking for news and information on persecution, check out a new site called Christian Monitor. They collect news reports from all over the world and make them easily available to their readers.

New Webs for Old Words
Peggie Bohanon of Internet for Christians recommends Words Online, a web project providing a thematic presentation of the words of Jesus. The purpose of the project, according to publisher Lee Cantelon, "is to extend, especially to those alienated or distanced to the Christian message by culture, personal or political barriers, the opportunity to approach the words of Jesus, and to discover, firsthand, His call." The site offers more than two dozen translations of the words of Jesus, and a growing number of audio narrations. Download "The Words" for personal reading, study or distribution. A reading room is provided, as well as a gallery of Christian images, MP3 downloadable files and editions for the Palm Pilot.

Terrorism on the Web
According to this CNN report, "Islamic militants who want the world to witness their attacks and beheadings in Iraq have engineered new ways to ensure their videos appear on the Internet, defying efforts to banish them from cyberspace." I think we should turn the tables on them and produce more Christian web pages. How about web sites devoted to sharing information on how to set up underground house churches in Saudi Arabia?

Iran Cracks Down
Hoder notes that Iran is cracking down on use of certain Internet destinations and he recommends a strategy for fighting Net censorship in Iran.

Women of the Way
Peggie Bohanon of Internet For Christians notes this resource for persecuted Christian women living in repressive countries.

Turning The Tables
This report from the New York Times (On the Open Internet, a Web of Dark Alleys) reveals how terrorists are using the internet to communicate in secret. I think it would be a nice idea to turn the tables and for missionaries operating in repressive countries like Saudi Arabia and China to use these same techniques to communicate. I especially like the creative use of webmail accounts to share information without actually ever sending an e-mail.

Religion Today - Groups Mobilize Disaster Aid
The above link to Religion Today cites a Charisma News Service report on how Christian groups are responding to the SE Asian disaster. The scope of this disaster is truly hard to comprehend, but we can be certain of the spiritual response that is required of us: pray for those in need, provide for those in need, and witness (Matthew 24:14) to those in need.

China Online
All Internet traffic in China goes through five hubs, making it relatively easy for sites to be blocked. If you are interested in which sites are blocked and why, read this report.

Is Your Web Ministry Effective?
Andy Rau of Internet For Christians recommends Effective Web Ministry Notes, a new blog dedicated to the topic of web ministry is online, and it looks like an excellent resource for anyone trying to build a better evangelistic or ministry Web site. Topics covered so far include the importance of links (both to and from your site), the challenge of designing for a target audience, and the always-scary subjects of marketing and branding.

Our Daily Cross
Christian Web Site.Com recommends this site for Christian Ecards, weather, chat, bible studies, online sermons, power point, email, web hosting, everything a Christian on the web needs!

IFC - Comic Book Evangelism
Internet For Christians (IFC) shares this creative method for sharing the gospel with a younger audience: Can people learn about Christ through a comic book? Absolutely--ask Tony Whittaker of Web Evangelism Bulletin, who promotes unusual and creative ways by which people can come to know the Lord. He Lived Among Us is an evangelistic comic book telling the story of Jesus in comic-strip format. Designed for non-Western audiences, the comic book is available in a wide range of languages. Not only are you invited to view and/or link to the Web site, you may also download the entire set of graphics in your chosen language and display them on your own Web site.

CNN - Google Bows to Chinese Censorship
An interesting news report from CNN. We have talked in the past about whether the Left Behind series presents a credible example of how believers could use the Internet to share the gospel during the Tribulation, or even today in a totalitarian country. In LB we see how Buck and the Trib Force use the Internet to post their web magazine The Truth and Tsion Ben-Judah's website, exposing Carpathia and teaching people about salvation and the meaning of prophetic events. But, could they do this without being shut down by the GC? From casual tracking of this topic, I would have to say it would be a very difficult thing to do. This CNN report demonstrates that even today, a repressive country like China has the ability to filter the Internet and control what portions of the web citizens can access. The sad thing is, American companies are actually providing this technology to China, technology that will be used to crack down on democracy activist and the underground church. Should Christians support companies that aid and enable persecution? Should Americans support companies that repress democracy and human rights?

International Prayer Day For Jerusalem
Charisma News Service reports on the latest developments in organizing the upcoming International Prayer Day for Jerusalem, which will take place on October 3rd.

Religion Today: World's Largest Book-Ship Ministry Expands

Religion Today: Christian History Series Releases Two More Books

Religion Today: Massive Evangelistic Effort Targets Olympics

The Roman Road System - God's Highway
The Web Evangelism Newsletter offers the following: Calvin Conkey of Create International points out the parallel between the Internet (designed originally with a military purpose, which quickly expanded to trade and other communication) and the Roman Road System, built for entirely the same purpose 2000 years earlier. It was the presence of Roman roads throughout most of the known world, that facilitated the rapid spread of the Gospel. Likewise the Internet has the same potential as a network to carry the Gospel.

Bible Network News
This is a great resource for news from around the world about how Christians are translating, publishing and distributing the Bible.

A Chronicle of the Christian Faith
Blog-style collection of recent news articles from around the country and the world.

Stand to Reason
This is an organization aimed at building Christian thinkers for the public defense of the faith. The site includes articles, newsletter, online courses, and recommended books.

China Extends Text Message Surveillance
According to this AP report, "Chinese authorities plan to employ new technology to improve surveillance of mobile phone messages amid efforts to intensify the policing of private communications, reports said Friday." China has once again demonstrated the power of a totalitarian government to control the Internet. I wonder if this technology will be used against the unregistered house church movement in China?

Small Bible groups increase in popularity
News Leader.Com reports on the rise in small worship groups and house churches: "Although they are steadily growing in popularity, home groups are nothing new. In fact, they date all the way back to the New Testament. Dan Lentz, director of smallgroups.com, said a great model for small groups can be found in the second chapter of Acts of the Apostles. He created an acronym, F.L.O.W., which stands for fellowship, learning, outreach and worship."

Using the Internet Against the Enemy
According to this AP report, "Al-Qaida-linked terror groups and their sympathizers have in recent months made a big splash on the Internet, making it their communications channel of choice. They're benefiting from free discussion boards, e-mail accounts and other online forums for propaganda, recruitment, fund-raising and even planning." One of the reasons I created the Trib Force Toolkit was to encourage Christians to use the Internet and all the resources we have available to share the Gospel, the Good News of salvation and eternal life through Jesus. Let's turn the table on the enemy of humanity, the one that seeks to cause us to kill each other, and shine sime light in the darkness.

Christians Called To Emphasize World Evangelism This Sunday
Religion Today reports, "Southern Baptists are encouraging tens of thousands of churches to join in prayer and fasting this Sunday in observance of an annual event that emphasizes evangelism of those peoples around the world that have not yet been reached for Christ.

Prayer Gear
PrayerGear is a site with a wide range of topics and recommended links by John S. Hilkevich - he describes his ministry as "Education, Research and Advocacy in the Christian Faith".

Ministry and Blogging
Internet for Christians newsletter reports, "Blogs have become an established online medium for expressing personal ideas and opinions, combining features of the old-school "personal information website" and an online forum. We've all seen blogs used to talk about current events, rant about politics and religion, and generally interact with the online public - but can you use a blog to do actual ministry? That's the question Michelle Johnston is asking at Dialog: Breaking the Bubble, a relatively new blog devoted to the topic of weblog ministry.

Bible Resource Center: Kid's Resources
ChristianWebsite.Com recommends tools and games to help children read and learn about the Bible.

Services at the First Church of Cyberspace
The New York Times' Barnaby J. Feder reports, "People separated by vast distances routinely play in imaginary 3-D worlds and sometimes work in them. A new experiment aims to explore whether they can also regularly worship in them."

Toppling Tyrants with IT Power - Today Online
Francis Chin, the techonology editor for Today Online, has some thoughts on how information technology has been used to trigger revolutions and topple tyrants.

Vietnam Adopts New Policies for Net Users
AP reports, "Web surfers in Vietnam must abide by a number of new policies and restrictions, which come following a crackdown on cyber dissidents who used the Internet to speak out against the communist government, state-controlled media reported...Personal identification information must now be presented before logging on and will be stored for 30 days on computer servers, and all Internet activity will be tracked, according to the An Ninh The Gioi (World's Security) newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Ministry of Public Security."

Spiritual Journals - Christian Website
Site seeks to challenge other persons to develop journals related to their own lives.

Google's Blog Feature Made Easier
AP reports, "Internet search engine leader Google Inc. on Monday introduced a simpler way to publish the online personal journals known as "blogs," continuing a flurry of improvements that has coincided with stiffer competition from its former ally, Yahoo! Inc. The revisions to Google's Blogger.com are designed to make it easier for computer neophytes to create and update their own personal journals for free."

Christian Jobs - Christian Website.Com
Allows Christian employers to list their open employment opportunities. Christian jobseekers may also submit their resumes for listing in a database. Also has articles related to online job searching.

'Left Behind' finale is The End, literally - Washington Times
The Second Coming, with a cast of billions of angels, millions of soldiers fighting the battle of Armageddon and one son of God on a white stallion in the heavens arrives in the nation's bookstores today. "Glorious Appearing: The End of Days" is the final installment in a 12-part "Left Behind" series on the end of the world by evangelical Christian authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. The "Left Behind" product line, which includes children's and audio versions, will reach 62 million units in print with this latest volume. The authors' success reveals an American culture fascinated with the end times, religious prophecy, Bible codes, heaven and the age-old battle between good and evil.

Eastern Temple Mount Wall In Danger of Collapse
The Jerusalem Post reports, "The eastern wall of Jerusalem's Temple Mount is in danger of immediate collapse because of damaged caused by a freak winter earthquake that rattled the region."

Interview With God Gets 20 Million Visits - IFC
"Interview with God", created by a Methodist Sunday School teacher, has attracted millions of visitors. Reata Strickland's imaginary conversation with God is an animated combination of landscape photography and inspiring texts. Each interview has a single theme such as love, self-esteem or relationships, and includes hope for future generations... Two and a half years later, the number of visitors had reached 20 million, presently increasing at 15,000 each day. Volunteers have translated the texts into 13 languages.

Church Websites for Outreach - Christian Hosting
A very clear paper explains how churches can be seeker-sensitive, both online and beyond. If you are planning a church website, or wish to reposition your site for outreach, print this PDF for group discussion.

Church of England Creates Virtual Parish - AP
The Church of England on Friday announced the creation of its first 'virtual parish' and invited applicants for the position of 'Web pastor.' The purpose of the Internet church, or 'i-church,' according to the Web site, 'is to provide a Christian community for those who wish to explore Christian discipleship but who are not able, or do not wish, to join a local congregation.'"

Arafat resolved to reach Temple Mount - alive or dead
Jerusalem Newsire reports, "Blood-soaked PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat is reportedly determined to get control over God's holy hill, the Temple Mount, even if it has to be after and through his death. But the self-styled champion of the quest to secure incontestable Islamic control over Israel's holiest site faces growing opposition to his hopes of being buried on the Temple Mount from among his fellow faithful."