Pope urges use of social media to reach others
Looking for a higher authority to endorse the value of social media so you can make the case to your law firm’s leadership?
You may have it. Yesterday, Pope Benedict XIV asked Catholics to spread the word on Twitter and other social networking sites like Instagram and Tumblr to convert atheists to the faith.
From the Pope in statement delivered on the 47th World Communications Day and the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists and writers:
Believers are increasingly aware that, unless the Good News is made known also in the digital world, it may be absent in the experience of many people for whom this existential space is important
Per Venture Beat’s Christina Farr (@chrissyfarr) my source for this post, the Pope makes the case for why social media.
Social networks are portals of truth and faith and new spaces for evangelization. “The pontiff warmly endorsed social media as a new forum for “agora,” an ancient Greek term for an open public square where people can share ideas.”
Like many of us the Pope did have a few gripes about the “popularity” of celebrities on social media and the sheer volume of information, which can drown out valuable insight.
At times the gentle voice of reason can be overwhelmed by the din of excessive information and it fails to attract attention which is given instead to those who express themselves in a more persuasive manner.
Sure, hearing the Pope talk about why people ought to use social media will bring a smile to the face of many of you.
But look at the logic of the pontiff’s message. Don’t the points that he makes apply to anyone with a credible message they wish to share with others – such as lawyers looking to reach their target audience?
- Unless your message is made digital via social media and social networks, your message may never reach many people.
- Social networks are portals of the truth – they are where people find information they trust.
- Social media is an open forum where people can share ideas.
Pretty neat. I think.