The Surveillance Society

[David_N]

This is topical issue where I've been  - and I think in society generally. I was interested in some Christian input!

With the increasing amount of cameras, databases and information held on citizens, some people feel threatened.
The Patriot Act, for example, gave the State new powers to curtail the actions of terrorists.

I feel, as a Christian conservative, that such power is needed, and only terrorists and criminals are crying fascist.

I wonder if you agree? We can't just let society run riot or allow, unimpeded, the freedom of terorists to plan atrocities.

Yet I know that many of my friends, military and civillian, feel threatened.

[Jon-Marc]

While only criminals need to fear being watched, I still like my privacy. However, if Big Brother is watching me, he must be terribly bored. 

[Soldier4Christ]

This can be a good thing or a bad one depending on whose hands it is in. It can be used to protect the innocent but then again in the wrongs hands it can also be used to persecute and kill. Either way as Christians we know that we have God on our side therefore we have nothing to fear.

Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

[David_N]

Well, I've learnt (despite my past) to respect those in authority over me. I don't believe the government is overly intrusive at present, and there are things happening that, if not monitored, could threaten everyone.

[Shammu]

I don't really care if big brother is watching me, I have God with me. So I voted, No - only criminals need fear surveillance.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Though with Obama being elected, I do have concern of abuse. Early in his campaign he said , along the line of "Fundamentals Christians are the problem in the United States."

But I leave this matter in the hands, of God. For I fear no man, that can kill me.

[David_N]

I think if we're dutiful good citizens, we have nothing to fear anyway.

[nChrist]

I voted "NO" on this question also, even though I know that private information on good citizens can be abused.

As an example, if someone tries to make a database on Christians for the purposes of persecution, I'll more than likely be on it. I don't plan to ever be ashamed of THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD! GOD'S Will be DONE! On the opposite side of the coin, I have first-hand experience that INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY works great against criminals. Without it, grossly out-numbered law enforcement wouldn't have a chance! The only alternative I can think of would be huge numbers of more law enforcement officers. I must also add that information technology eliminates large numbers of innocent suspects in just about every criminal case. Bluntly, this is a tool that law enforcement must have these days.

[heartland]

I really don't have a problem with a surveillanced society. As mentioned before, our government needs to watchdog terrorists and any kind of criminal.

One day, America may become a Christian theocracy or theonomy. If so, I think surveillance may even increase then because the Christian government would be looking out for people who violate Biblical laws.  There may even be cameras in homes by then.

Either way, if you're not committing any crime, you have nothing to worry about.

Tom

[Soldier4Christ]

One day, America may become a Christian theocracy or theonomy. If so, I think surveillance may even increase then because the Christian government would be looking out for people who violate Biblical laws. 

This is very highly unlikely and does not in anyway fit Biblical prophecy. The American government is increasingly becoming more evil as is the entire world and this does fit Biblical prophecy perfectly.

[nChrist]

Hello Heartland and All,

We are currently watching radical and fast change around the world that appears to be the approaching End Days of this Age of Grace.

In a relative manner, this part of the world was close to GOD in the 1700s and before. GOD was a major part of life and remained so for over 200 years. It was about 1950 when some minority groups started attacking the things of GOD and prayer. They were well-funded and included groups like the ACLU. They were relentless, and they are even better-funded today. This tiny minority took about 50 years to radically change our society. It was really a multi-faceted attack against GOD and Christians, and it included huge sums of money in making political and court placements. In the meantime, GOD was slowly driven OUT of many parts of life as we had known it.

The dreamed of "Big Brother" government abuses aren't associated with GOD and GOD'S Children. The same is true for the abuse of information technology. Both of these things will become more REAL by the day, but they won't be associated with GOD. The worst abuses are yet to come in the Tribulation Period, and that will be by the enemies of GOD. Every piece of information will be abused in the future, but it won't be associated with GOD at all.