Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Group Emails

I recently received an email from a Christian friend, with another right behind it, apologizing because he had forgotten to hide everyone's email addresss.

I understand that it's the politically correct thing to do these days, when sending out a group email, to hide everyone's email address. I can see the point in this at times from a worldly perspective, but should we need to do this as Christians?

Why would Christians be upset that their email address was not hidden in an email going out to other like-minded Christians?
I’ve even heard of people that were actually angry that their email address wasn’t hidden went someone sent one out.
I don’t get it. As Christians, shouldn’t we have nothing to hide, to be transparent among other believers and held accountable?

On the other hand, I was told that someone used an emailing list like this to solicit funds for a business venture. Now, why would someone do that? We shouldn’t abuse our friendship among fellow believers. When asked to be removed from solicitation, the person refused. Is that a Christian way to act?

So, what's your opinion? Do you want your email address hidden when someone sends out a group email? If so, what are some of the reasons for doing so?

I prefer the email addresses to be visible, because then I know who else received the same thing and I don’t forward it to them again. If my email address gets misused, I’ll simply throw away the solicitation. I get lots of spam anyway.

Comments? Different points of view? What do you think?

4 comments:

Gregg Metcalf said...

I get a few group emails. They are mainly from family and friends. I don't mind my email being visible as much as I mind the "mindless" "so called warm and fuzzy" things that they send.

But I don't get upset. I did one time send a family & friends email and a sister-in-law got very angry becasue her email was visible. She said she had worked hard to keep her email limited to only those she wanted to have it and did not want it to be visible for these reasons:

hackers
viruses
being sold to "marketing lists"
perverts

So, I make sure not to make her email visible.

Hope you enjoy the chili,hope you do enter it and win first prize

Unknown said...

Al,

I agree with you whole heartily! You make a valid point for those of us the Lord has adopted into the Kingdom. Those of the world have been conditioned to protect themselves.That's probably why so few of us want to share with people we don't know. It looks like people come from different perspectives. Aren't we all entitled to our opinion? If that's true then by you sharing yours is a kind way of helping those who haven't seen it from another perspective. If what you say is true then all those that you reach can learn something and be thankful. It reminds me of (Pro 12:1) Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid. I think Paul said it all.
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 15:4-6)

Anonymous said...

I haven't given this subject much thought.
I will think about it now.

AL said...

Amen, Gregg! Those "warm fuzzy" ones have some horrible theology!
I guess if email addresses being seen by others bothers someone so much - we should try to keep the peace. I seem to get some spam no matter what, so it doesn't bother me. Thanks again for the chili recipe!

SeedSowers, I think we do tend to try to protect ourselves, but we shouldn't have to be like the world. Sadly, I guess some have had the experience with email and other Christians that they feel they do need to be protected. Hope you're feeling better!

Hey Geezer, looks like I opened up a can of worms for you! It was probably better when you weren't thinking about it.
I honestly hadn't given it much thought either, until this sort of thing brought it to my attention. Sorry about that!