Round here, mobile phones are known, day to day, as useful tools of communication, and essential devices for the modern human. Over in the Vatican, though, a different view of mobile phones prevails, according to the Telegraph.
According to Father Federico Lombardi, mobile phones are causing ongoing and irreparable damage to people’s souls.
Now, for a second, let’s forget the fact that I’m a complete atheist, and totally against the idea of organised religion. Let’s leave aside the fact that I in no way see any need for god to exist to have a rich, full life. Let’s look purely at what the man said, and not let prejudices (for OR against religion) come into it.
And you know what?
He’s actually talking a huge amount of sense! Not in that mobile phones are killing your soul, but in that if you’re constantly connected via your mobile phone, or the internet, you have no time for quiet reflection, for what you might call spiritual growth, and most importantly, self-reflection. And you don’t have to believe in god to believe that’s important!
The odd thing is… I expected to get all ranty in this blog post, when I read the original article, and call the Catholic Church hypocrites, since they themselves use mobile phones and the internet to send out messages to members. I really was. But then I read the article with my sensible head on, and realised that what Lombardi said is very close to something I’ve said in the past, which amounts to, “Stop using your Blackberry and have a day off, ya weirdo!”
The Vatican isn’t, in fact, saying not to use mobile phones or the internet, but to moderate them with other things, other pursuits (presumably things like art or music… you know, good for the soul), and I agree with that completely.
So, no matter how good your new Blackberry Storm is (and god knows I know how much you want to use it, I’m the same), turn it off every now and again, and have a life. And I realise there are a lot of people who know me who’ll be shocked to see me agree with a man of the cloth, but hey, his and my views on mobile phones aren’t that dissimilar!
And for the times when you ARE using a phone, you want the best… so grab yourself the Blackberry Storm today!