"Technology Fasts" May Feed the Soul

By Margaret Rock | Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:27 pm

The idea of "technology fasts" got a boost from religious leaders Sunday amid growing awareness of how distracting and isolating personal technology can be.

At Palm Sunday services yesterday, religious leaders around the country asked their congregations to step away from all types of display screens for the next seven days.

An interdenominational group including the National Council of Churches and the Islamic Society of North America called for a "media fast" during Holy Week, which begins today and culminates on Easter Sunday, the most important day of the liturgical calendar. That means no smartphones, televisions, laptops, or e-readers, a modern day twist on a centuries-old Lenten ritual.

The group has compiled a list of 101 screen-free activities, including reading a book, or even better, reading one aloud to someone else, taking a nature hike, ditching the GPS and learning to use a compass, and for those with children, blowing bubbles.

Technology fasts that address to concerns about the increasingly dominant role technology plays in relationships, connections with God, and spiritual growth are gaining popularity worldwide. A number of U.S. therapists suggest similar, albeit secular, activities to help couples and families with communications issues.

Besides the interfaith coalition, other religious leaders are speaking out on technology, including Pope Benedict XVI. Celebrating his sixth Easter season as the leader of the world's estimated 1.2 billion Catholics, he fashioned his Palm Sunday sermon just yesterday on the idea that technology is threatening Man's relationship with God.

Earlier this year, Pope Benedict urged Christians to chose real-life relationships over virtual ones when he focused on the dangers of online media and social networks.

The Pontiff, who turned 84 this weekend, insists on writing all his speeches in long hand and has been described as technology-adverse, even though his online presence includes the Pope2You.net portal and a dedicated YouTube channel.