Cell Phones and Church

Cell Phones in Church

 

Recently I posted on my Facebook timeline a video which is self-proclaimed as a light hearted video in response to cell phones in church.  It seems that the church, Westminister Presbyterian Church in Burbank, California, wanted to present the video in question as “one church's light-hearted response to annoying cell phones ringing during services.” (http://youtu.be/D2_c81Nnsc0 Uploaded on January 30, 2011).

 

In the video, the narrator shares that there will be fines for those who do not turn off their phones during the service.  It is said that if the phone goes off during the announcements, the offender will be charged an additional $25.00 to their weekly offering; if the phone rings during the prayer concerns, the offending party will be charged $50.00 in addition to the weekly offering; but if the ringer rings during the sermon, the offender will “go straight to hell.”

 

While it is a parody, with a great deal of humor, it seems there are some which do not comprehend what that is.  In other words, this video falls under a “parody, lampoon, spoof, sendup, mockery, takeoff, burlesque, travesty, charade, pasquinade, put-on.”  Defined, a parody is “(noun) a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way; (verb) humorous or satirical mimicry; make a spoof of or make fun of.”

 

As for me, I thought the video was funny, but some took offense to it, as it was reposted to other timelines.  I find it offensive that someone would not be able to laugh, finding the humor in something which should be a course of common sense.

 

It amazes me that there are some who do not have any respect for the house of God and for worship, using their cell phones for everything in a church service.  Some do use their phones for keeping up with the preacher, through their Bible application; but what I am referring to is texting, playing games, or reading Facebook messages.  This takes away from the focus of worship. 

 

No, using a cell phone in church service will not condemn the user to hell, but it will remove the focus of the person from the central view of worship, to be distracted and preoccupied.  By using the cellar device for all sorts of other activities than worship, the person will be too occupied to the point they miss the message God may have for them, or for others around them.

 

Some may think this is a personal problem, affecting only themselves, but the user of the phone may distract other worshippers from true worship.  The ringing, chirper, or even the quiet laughing will disturb others around them.  Sharing a picture or a message with the ones nearby, may cause someone to miss an important message they need and that God placed before them at that very moment.

 

I have been in meetings where the first thing we are asked to do is turn off all devices.  It is a matter of giving full and undivided attention to what is going on, instead of being side tracked or interrupting others during the meeting.  There is nothing more disheartening than to have prepared a presentation with vital, important information and have the ones who need to know this information to be preoccupied with something like a text conversation or chatting on Facebook.  Disheartening yes, but above all it is rude and disrespectful.

 

Unless you are using your Bible application in a church service, ignoring all other functions and apps on your phone, then turn the device off.  It could be mean a difference between spiritual life and spiritual death, for you and someone else in the room.