About 4 months ago I found out that someone had set up a MySpace account for my band without asking us and without us knowing anything about it. They were pretending to be us. (I now know that this isn’t so uncommon).
So I assumed the role of contacting the impostor and asking them to either remove the account or give us access to it. In that process I quickly found out that you can’t e-mail a MySpacester without having your own MySpace.
So I had to set up my own MySpace account, and I have one word to describe it: AACK!!! I couldn’t even enter my username and password without being slimed by an add.
So, after shrinking my browser window so I could only see the exact area I was trying to work in, I sent an e-mail to the mystery band member. 4 months later I still haven’t heard from them, but I have gotten other, unsolicited, emails from other members telling me they know a girl who would be just my type… yeah right.
So I went down another route of contacting MySpace directly telling them that someone was frauding my band. I had to do a ’salute’ and e-mail it to them……….nothing.
I’ve checked my MySpace inbox about 4 times in the past 4 months and every time there is some sick add. This has made me largly agree with a statement a friend of mine made over a year ago:
MySpace is a portal of darkness.
I know there are a lot of you out there with a MySpace. I’m not speaking anything against you personally, but come on. Is it worth it? There are so many people that spend tons and tons of time on there. Why don’t you spend that time building some real relationships? Why subject yourselves to the adds and messages that are going on there.
My opinion is that even by participating in and supporting the MySpace community, you are giving approval to all goes on.
What are your opinions?…
FYI: Ben from has a step-by-step how-to for deleting your MySpace account.
Nathan said:
Shawn -
IMHO, myspace is a textbook example of what Paul meant when he was talking about matters of individual conscience being OK for some, not for others.
Myspace IS a slimepit, however it is the only real way for me to interact with scores of old friends from church and elsewhere from the 11 years I spent in Ohio (I moved to Philly). After a bit you get desensitized to or overlook the scum, which sounds particularly carnal to admit to.
Another perspective / reality is this: at some point any interaction with technology or other people in a fallen world involves tuning out slime. Getting an email account involves eventual porn spam and junk. God moved me to a city right after it legalized casino gambling, and the buildings are going up right now. The culture is sucking us under or we can engage with it despite the slime and possibly save a few souls in the process maybe even turn the system around.
The above is neither a justification for myspace nor an inference to suggest you don’t understand these realities. The myspace positives outweigh the substantial negatives in my situation.
Nathan
Posted on October 12, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Stephanie said:
I’m with you Shawn. I deleted my myspace account about two weeks ago and people were surprised when I told them I thought it was not a genuine way to stay connected with friends. So I am back at emailing, and you know what? Very few people write me back on email. The convince of myspace should not be considered a true way to stay in touch with friends. It’s just easy, not real or meaningful. ps.I thought it was odd to see Merchant on myspasce, but I figured it was just an imposter. pss.when you guys going to update your site??
Posted on October 12, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Patrice E. said:
Shawn, I did have a myspace account for at least six months but canceled it last week. For me personally, it was not helping me keep in touch any better with my friends than if I had simply e-mailed them or called them. True, it’s nice to have comments from acquaintances and friends but I found it very empty. It’s also very time-consuming to check your myspace page and I would rather take that time to talk on the phone or send out an e-mail.
I agree, myspace doesn’t build real relationships but can facilitate shallow ones but I can also see how it can HELP build relationships. Kind of like your parents walking you into your classroom the first day to meet and greet everyone. The important thing though is that you take myspace for what it is and make sure you are building true fellowship in the meantime.
In terms of the filth on the site, it’s nice to not have to wade and navigate through it now that I’m done with Myspace.
Posted on October 12, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Zack said:
I fully agree, especially if you are a male. I refuse to put things before my eyes that plant seeds of unrighteousness and it is impossible to visit Myspace without that happening. It is not a wise place for us as lovers of Jesus to be found.
Posted on October 12, 2006 at 7:54 pm
Shawn said:
Zack - So well put dude! In the long run, the negatives far out way the positives.
I’m sorry Nathan but I have to dissagree with you. I do not think Paul would give allowance for MySpace. He says
As far as your city, I don’t know your situation but I know that if the Lord set you in a place where they are raising up casinos He gives grace and strength for that.
In your own words you said that there were substantial negatives. So to put it as blunt as possible, “Is keeping tabs with your internet friends via MySpace really worth compromising your eye gate?”
Posted on October 12, 2006 at 8:50 pm
Ronni said:
Actually I have been on MySpace for a while but I only accept people I know in real life or people from my past that I knew… in real life. We use it as a tool to keep in touch with our very large membership… and one of our pastors even had a contest on there… “sliverspace island” that was a huge hit and got people stirred up. It was amusing. I’ve actually found people that I lost contact with using myspace and seriously it was God moments. I also had people from MySpace pay for trips for me (ministry stuff) and be incredible support. Granted what men see on there versus women is incredible. Also there is a trick… put that your married or in a relationship and you won’t get near the solicitations… then just put in your “about me” that your single…
There is a positive advantage to things of this sort… and even tho we are not of the world, we shouldn’t segregate ourselves from it, rather INFECT it!
Posted on October 13, 2006 at 2:50 am
Zack said:
In response to Ronni, with all the love and kindness of my heart…
Eph 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
Eph 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
Eph 4:19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
and…
Eph 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
and..
Paul later says not to even be mindful, to be innocent of what the wicked do in private. To not have even a hint or an assosiation with immoality.
I understand that it can be a useful tool. But it’s fruits are wickedness. I only know this because I have lost track of the number of young men I have counciled who fell into pornography because of Myspace.
And Even if Mike Bickle decided to get on My Space…after I recovered from my corinary, I still would not consider it ok just because another pastor or leader uses it. Because I alone answer before the great white throne. Again, My Space is not wrong, but it is un wise for lover of Jesus.
Posted on October 13, 2006 at 4:04 am
Nathan said:
I’m getting “married” next time I go to myspace. If anyone wants, I will report on the decrease in smut. Thank you for this tip.
More specifically, I signed up because it is the only way I could subscribe to my former pastor’s blog after finding out he was battling cancer.
Frankly, my eye gate is not as potent as my mind gate. Stuff on the inside is always a battle despite tuning out media, internet, etc…
Bottom line - yes there is a battle, but this particular thing at this point is not the front. If God wants me to shut it down it is gone.
Posted on October 13, 2006 at 6:56 am
Maggie said:
I had a myspace for a few days, but I couldn’t get over the overwhelming feeling of darkness I had when I got on. Therefore, I deleted it. There are so many other ways to keep in touch with friends than myspace. You’ve got Blogger which is commercial free, and WordPress, and all kinds of other places. Encourage your friends to use another format, and start a blogging revolution. I agree with Shawn, there are far too many negatives to out-weigh the positives.
Posted on October 13, 2006 at 8:09 am
Caleb said:
Its a really compelling argument. It sucks away your time and you really have nothing to show for it. So thanks for the post, its good.
Posted on October 13, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Esther said:
Can you talk to my daughter? I sent her the link to this page, but she says she only meets with her friends and no one else. I agree there is WAY too much time spent on that sight.
Posted on October 13, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Ronni said:
Okay number one, just because I use myspace doesn’t mean I”m gratifying any lusts. I have a flash blocker and ad blocker on my computer and I don’t see any of that. (and even though the name is decieving, I’m FEMALE, so I don’t get most of it anyways.)
As for the having nothing to show for it, really? I’ve made a number of real life friends on myspace that are local to me, one has become an incredible friend. Older people from HS have found me again, and one of them who is living in a sinful lifestyle has had a number of seeds planted, and is asking questions… she IS going to get saved. So I guess the evangelism that I use this tool for is pointless? I think not.
I don’t live like the gentiles do. Instead of using this as a way to self promote, and spending hours upon hours on it (I might spend 10 minutes a day if I get messages) I use it to further the Kingdom. I use it to reach out to people who want relationships, are floundering and who need Jesus BADLY.
I’m sorry some people just can’t see the opportunity for a mission field here because it doesn’t involve a plane ticket or a guitar.
Posted on October 15, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Nathan said:
Don’t think anyone is tracking this thread any more, but I said I would report on my recent “change” in myspace marital status. Getting “married” (switching from single to married on myspace) has resulted in less pass-thru ads as clicking on a page takes me there rather than an ad that must be next-ed.
Apparently Ronni and I are the only people that use myspace. Paul said “all things are lawful but not all things are beneficial”. I think that sums up myspace rather well for some of us. If it wasn’t for that site I would have continued to have zero contact with dozens of my closest friends before my move out of state.
Any digital technology has huge potential for both good and evil.
Posted on October 17, 2006 at 10:42 am
Ruth said:
Shawn,
That is so stupid about Myspace..some dude can set up an account for you and even put your songs for download.. that is crazy.
I’ve looked for Merchant Band on Myspace and you do have a real Myspace (but last login was somewhere in July :)) And I’ve looked for Misty Edwards, she has a real one as well, but there are others where her songs are for download… That is annoying.. and illegal right?
Well, I guess I just wanted to say that I agree with you.
And, yes, I do have a myspace as well, but don’t have real friends on my space. I actually met two great christians through myspace and other than that only have great bands as friends
Anyways, this doesn’t make sense does it? It is just annoying that there are songs downloadable from an intercessory missionary…
hey, do you think Merchant Band will come to the Netherlands someday in the future? Like, really near future??
Posted on October 17, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Shawn said:
Nathan, Ronni & all others using MySpace -
I’m not condemning you guys because you have a myspace account. I don’t think that having one in and of itself is a sin …”thou shalt not MySpace….”
What I’m saying is that there is so much immorality and lust going on within that community that I don’t like the idea of being involved with it at all.
This post wasn’t written as a slam agianst people on MySpace, but as a controversial topic to make us ask questions about it. To challenge the community and ’spirit’ of MySpace against the Word of God.
I know you guys have a sincere desire to be men and women of the Word and to grow in holiness and purity. Let’s challenge our western paradigms and seek to be humble before the word.
- Shawn
Posted on October 17, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Nathan said:
I appreciate the summary… and didn’t take your previous stuff as a slam either.
Perhaps the issue is really much larger than this: how to find a balance between being in the world but not of it, and how to use the various tools out there for good even though they are frought with snares.
A lot of things fit that bill besides myspace… our email, blogs, cable tv, overnight jobs that require a hotel stay, etc…
kudos on finding some controversy here!
Nathan
Posted on October 17, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Shawn said:
Finding the balance between being in the world and not of it requires an active connection with the Holy Spirit. It requires fellowshipping with God. In requires unbroken communion with the indwelling Spirit.
Don’t take my summary as backing off of my stance towards MySpace. I think there is a deffinate difference between being a member of MySpace and having a gmail address. Sure you can send and receive bad e-mails but there is not a universally recognized issue of immorality and perversion related to gmail.
My opinion still stands that being involved with the MySpace community is to give aproval to what takes place within that community.
Posted on October 17, 2006 at 7:02 pm
John Tracy said:
Shawn,
Wow… this conversation is intense! I like wrestling with this because at the end of the day the only thing that matters will be how faithful we have been to the King. So, better to work this stuff out now than before the firey gaze of God. Here are a few thoughts…
On one hand, I am not sure I am tracking with you on your last statement, “being involved with the MySpace community is to give approval to what takes place within that community.” Remember, Jesus frequented the homes of drunks, thieves and whores… so much so that he became known as a drunk (Luke 7:34). Eating in someone’s homes was an intensly intimate exchange in the culture of our Lord. Certainly Jesus did not give approval to drunkenness, stealing nor immorality even though he participated in that community. He did follow His Abba into some evil settings to infest the missing with love and truth from heaven. Perhaps some of the connections within the evil-infested My Space community are desired by Abba?
On the other hand, we do know that in which the generation the Lord returns, there will be an infestation of sexual immorality worldwide in a way that is exponentially worse than the current situation (ie the Harlot Babylon). Could the soft porn that is flashed across My Space (etc.) be part of the “seeds” that are being sown into people’s minds that will produce this widespread immorality the Apostle John speaks of? Eeek!! I think so.
Abba, how does your heart feel about what my participation on My Space?
Posted on October 19, 2006 at 10:31 pm
Shawn said:
Yo John - It’s pretty bold of you to jump in here with your link to your myspace account. Props for that…
I think your point about the soft porn being seeds is dead on. I think it is one step worse though, that those seeds have already been planted and the soft porn is the beginning manifestations of those evils comming out. Making a covenent with our eyes is critical to live a Godly, sober lifestyle.
And knowing that we are living in the age where the height of sin will reach it’s fullness, how much more should we guard ourselves against immorality?
Posted on October 20, 2006 at 9:36 am
John Tracy said:
Oops! Oh yeah, I forgot that I put my My Space link there. That wasn’t intentional.
I look at what I said about Jesus being led into evil communities and wanna add something to that to balance it our with reality… I don’t want to give a false sense of permission to be spiritually sloppy. It is important to remember that our lifestyles are hardly to the level of Jesus’ lifestyle in terms of purity and intimacy with the Spirit of God. So yeah, Jesus spent time with drunks and whores on purpose (which offended the religious). BUT… He also carried a weighty depth of relationship and a 30-year earthly history of faithfulness to Father God with that. His walk was so holy that He said this at one point, “Here comes Satan and he has no leverage in me to tempt me away from my Father” (John 14:30, my paraphrase).
My point is this: I don’t believe God would ever lead us into situations that would cause us to stumble. Jesus walked into situations that were rather sticky at times, but because of the level of inward holiness he walked in He was not shaken by the temptations. I bet 99.99% of us who frequent the My Space community are not near the level of lifestyle Jesus had and would stumble because of the filth it advertises. (Except maybe Jim Goll.)
My questions is then: would God call us into the My Space community if it causes us to stumble?
Posted on October 21, 2006 at 12:36 am
Nathan said:
I think God may call us into a lot of places where we could stumble, provided there are people there he wants to touch.
Posted on October 23, 2006 at 6:34 am
Ronni said:
Shawn, I didn’t take this as a personal attack, but I’ve had to defend my stance on this many times. I’m there specifically to be a light in a dark place. Yes, there are places all over the world that are just outright sinful, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t go there. Granted I’m also known as the strip club evangelist (I’m female), and have shown up at clubs to give the ladies resources to help them out of addictions, breast cancer awareness stuff, and just plant seeds with them that otherwise wouldn’t get planted. We are to be the salt… meaning WE flavor THEM… and we are to be close enough in communtion with the Spirit and our Father to be able to walk into those places as warriors and not stumble.
If something like this causes you to stumble, then it is not YOUR calling or responsibility. We are all equipped differently. I can spend time in a bar with a friend and not stumble. Other’s can’t. I have a number of band buddies from bars who have shown up at my church. A few of them are still coming! We need to stop waiting for them to come to us, and go to them, where they are, and if that means reaching out to a lonely person who is tired after work and comes home, microwaves dinner and hits myspace, then so be it.
We have to be willing to go into the uncomfortable places, ridden with sin, to shine our light… after all… lights don’t show up much during the day but in the depths of the darkest areas, the light of a single candle can be a bright beacon of hope.
Posted on October 23, 2006 at 9:27 pm
Nathan said:
What do people think about XXXchurch.com?
Posted on October 24, 2006 at 11:05 am
Shawn said:
John T - You have some amazing insight. Thanks so much for your comments here.
Ronni, you have an amazing ministry. That is so cool what you do with those women.
Nathan - I agree with you that the Lord sends us into dark places but not before we’re equipped and prepared. But as members of MySpace who is actually doing real ministry? Are people really being delivered and set free?
Also, I came accross the XXXchurch site once and even though they have a strong voice against internet porn, it felt like a lot of attention was being put onto it. They had an article about an ex-porn star gone Christian but I didn’t even want to read it in fear of sparking curiosity. I do think they have a good vision though.
Posted on October 25, 2006 at 11:11 am
Shawn said:
I read this brief blurb from my old youth pastor and thought it was relevant here.
Posted on November 1, 2006 at 8:57 pm
bretmavrich said:
I absolutely think we should flee MySpace. Here’s why:
As American Christians, we should be thinking not mostly about the way the gospel relates to our modern context of wealth and comfort. We should be thinking about how our modern context of wealth and comfort is addressed by the gospel. Culture is a sinking ship (to draw upon the desert Fathers) that should be fled, lest we sink with it, chained to its decks. We dare not attempt to fit our gospel ideologies into Americanism by abusing a bible verse that says “all things are permisible.” Rather, we who have been given everything in Christ should have the mature mind of Paul, laying aside all we once thought gain, and fleeing the corruption that is in the world through lust (1 Pet. 1).
MySpace is most emphatically NOT an example of Paul’s description of some things being acceptible to conscience. Its a social network with LUST framing every post. Defending this kind of interaction is the equivalent to juggling live grenades: you are guaranteed to lose life, its just a matter of when. Flee flee flee.
(Henri Nowen’s “The Way of the Heart” that defines modern monasticism as a universal call to resist the trammels of our modern society.)
Posted on November 7, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Jessica said:
I have had a MySpace for over a year now, and I do agree that the ads and other contents are bad. The thing is that most ads are shown on guys accounts. I logged into my boyfriends’ account and this is when I saw all of the negative disgusting ads. The only reason I have a myspace is to keep in touch with old friends and other people who I know need to know the love of Christ. IHOP KC and many other IHOP’s have a myspace as well as many other Christ centerted groups. What do you think of this?
Posted on November 19, 2006 at 7:10 am
…but Deliver Us from MySpace « said:
[…] Well after being violated, it’s definitely not worth it. You can view the post and the thread in which I do a poor job of devil’s advocating why myspace might possibly be useful here. […]
Posted on November 29, 2006 at 6:17 pm
129 Useless Facts | Fighting to Stay Awake said:
[…] Josh compiled a list of facts from the post that made him famous. You can read all 129 here. (I submitted #95. go figure.) […]
Posted on February 26, 2007 at 9:51 am
Trying not to shoot myself in the foot here | The Fight Spot said:
[…] of you have read my thoughts on MySpace and my opinon about involvement in that community. I have been thinking about that viewpoint a lot […]
Posted on April 18, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Brandy said:
I cannot even log into my myspace account, Ive sent numerous messages (about
and I have no response. I think someone hacked my account, but there is no one I can call or talk to to straighten it out. Im thinking about deleting my myspace account. If I can ever straighten this out.
Posted on May 29, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Katie said:
Ok, Zach. You are RETARDED, you can have a MySpace and love Jesus at the same time! Its not like its a sin to have an online account where you can express yourself and stay connected to friends. MySpace isn’t a demon, its a privileged. One people choose to find a way to abuse just like everything else.
Posted on January 28, 2008 at 12:16 am
Katie said:
And I didn’t mean to use Zach as the only example. MySpace isn’t a sin! There is no place in the Gospel that says it is.Take into consideration what they were talking about, the internet wasn’t created so how can you tie it to the gospel.
Posted on January 28, 2008 at 12:21 am