There is an extraordinary transformation taking place in society. Cyberspace, for many years the preserve of computer specialists, is becoming the most important means of communication. Some banks will only take new customers over the Internet. Long-established firms are dwarfed in value by start-up companies doing e-commerce. The Internet plays a key role in major political events from the downfall of President Suharto to the impeachment of President Clinton. Serbia jams Nato's web site. People thousands of miles away meet over the Internet, marry and ultimately have children. This new medium of communication is coming in like a flood, and all of us from the 5-year-old to the 85-year-old are being drawn in. There are tremendous opportunities for businesses, for charities, public bodies, churches and for individuals. More than ever before, cyberspace allows computers to become 'dream machines'. But every dream has its dark side. What about the drawbacks? Will our children grow up to become zombies, always sitting in front of a screen? What about the loss of jobs, the invasion of privacy, the pornography?
One thing is certain: we shall not be able to stop the growth of this new technology, even if we wanted to. It is far too helpful, too fascinating and too much fun for that. It is certain too that this new technology, like any other, is inherently neither wholly good nor wholly bad, but neither is it neutral; for it is changing the way we work, play, perhaps the way we think about ourselves and each other, and crucially, the way we relate to each other.
It is exactly because we are fascinated by this new technology and also aware of its ability to change our lives that we have written this book. We don't have many answers, but we hope that we have raised some important questions, and advanced the debate. We hope too that this book will be read both by the near beginner and by the expert, because this is not another 'how to' book, but a 'what if' book, a book to which all can respond.
Much has been written about the impact of information technology
and the Internet on us as human beings and the society we live in. Most of this
has been written from a secular perspective, and much less
discusses what effect this new technology might have on our spiritual lives.
Our purpose in writing this book is to approach these questions from a specifically
Christian perspective, but we believe that what we have written will be of interest
to all who care about our society and where it is going, and we have consciously
written with them in mind as well.
The project had its origin in the Science, Medicine and Technology Committee of the Board for Social Responsibility of the Church of England, who have been supportive throughout, and we owe much to its secretary, David Skidmore, and our secretaries, Christine Crosbie, Margaret Jeffery and Claire Foster. We hope you enjoy it.