Yesterday, I blogged a piece on the section of Naked Conversations where “Who Should NOT Blog was being explored. That section of the book was a little too simplisitc I think. Movable Theoblogical

The authors in Naked Conversations also assert that “embellishers” should not blog, that there are too many “fact checkers”. But I seem to notice quite a crowd in the Bush-camp, especially among the “God-bloggers”. they are among Bush’s most persistent and stubborn supporters. Most “fact-checkers” tire of posting there. Obviously, one person’s “fact” checker is another one’s blind, partisan, mistaken opponent. (p.138)

A good for instance appeared yesterday and today:

Daily Kos: CENTCOM Creates “Blog Team” To Scan Blogs

The Military is apparently hitting the “blog PR” circuit. “Planting” ideas on various blogs willing to share their blogspot (or blog limelight or blog opinion. But use of the blogosphere for PR is not exempt from that “blind authenticity”; I was conversing with Eric about this under THIS post. The transparency of blogs does not mitigate against being wrong. “Honestly sharing my opinion” does not necessarily make me “authentic”. Getting caught up in the religious right (or left) does not make one authentic. My exploration of Gordon Cosby and Karla MCClung’s “Becoming the Authentic Church” (see my sidebar on the right) takes on this notion head on. We have a deeply ingrained addiction to the culture, and we resist assimilation by joining counter revolutions that speak to us in some way. But our problem of addiction is not solved by “picking sides” and joining the rhetoric. If we do not cast our lot with the People of God we are destined to be “cast about by every wind of doctine” (Paul somewhere).

The military is fighting a serious challenge to their recruiting efforts, and so they want to create a “person on the street” interview where “their side of the story” can be hammered home. So, far from being exempt from “embellishment”, blogs are often the very place where people are free to and often encouraged to embellish. People can construct their own personal “spin zone”, where “we report and you decide”. Just look at the ferocity and tireless efforts on “God-blogs” to be “Bush apologists”. It’s really becoming obvious how “required” this ddfense is for “true believers” in the Religious Right. (And yes, I have become all too aware of how this momentum is also gathering in the backlash of the left) That’s why I believe the message of “Becoming the Authentic Church” is so important to the church right now.