I was invited by the Plymouth Church of Seattle to speak on Social Media topics this morning. It was a ton of fun to do, especially since the crowd was heavily neophytical.

I think they LIKED me, but they weren’t LIKE me.

Hindsight tells me that I should have spent more time talking about political matters, and how big things happen because of social networking. I also didn’t get to show them that I could stream live video directly from my iPhone. Better luck next time, eh?

On my way home, I tweeted: “Walked into a church for the first time in ages. God did not strike me down, but the holy water kinda burned.” This was partially true (there was no holy water, only coffee and tea). Responses came flooding in:

shurup: My Prayers are with U by the way I do love the work u do as I find it very informative it's helped me many times!

about 3 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 23:10:32 +0000 2009

kharismaragon: Where is this church? What kind?

about 3 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 22:59:35 +0000 2009

bigdogdaddy: Welcome back, prodigal son. Take your shoes off and stay a while.

about 3 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 22:59:08 +0000 2009

TeQ: God can't help you with your USB troubles..

about 3 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 22:36:46 +0000 2009

JSandefer: that's awesome, man!

about 3 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 22:25:35 +0000 2009

soultapestry: I have to say before the burning starts it does have kind of a nice effervescent tingle…

about 4 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 22:11:21 +0000 2009

Guitarking: How was it? what were your thoughts?

about 4 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 22:09:58 +0000 2009

kpslover007: when was the last time you went into a church?

about 4 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:59:40 +0000 2009

lordlucifer: You're not supposed to bathe in it, Chris. Next time, just sprinkle it lightly on your dark nether regions.

about 4 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:46:15 +0000 2009

britchan: you make me lol all the time. XD

about 4 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:38:18 +0000 2009

anzollo: good for u. I enjoy a good church

about 4 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:21:26 +0000 2009

pompoB: I'm glad you didn't drink it it could have killed ya! lol

about 4 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:16:03 +0000 2009

Regietto: Chris, Quick Q, what iPhone app u use for streaming radio? Pandora, Pocket Tunes, and Which one read .pls? Thanks in advance.

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:13:08 +0000 2009

philemo: churches are evil

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:11:30 +0000 2009

LDStarling: what did u go church for?

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:10:09 +0000 2009

boredcollegekid: Reminds me of the fact that I haven't been in a church in 5 years.

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:09:57 +0000 2009

mibdepot: I did that once and started bleating like a sheep, ran out in fear!!

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:08:09 +0000 2009

Amacan: God missed you. I don't mean his aim.

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:07:56 +0000 2009

joebuddejr: if you ever go to a church http://www.crossroads.net is where to go. Free wifi and free coffee all day every day. its unreal.

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:07:29 +0000 2009

retroist: You may have used it wrong. Remember its topical.

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:07:24 +0000 2009

brandon_wirtz: if you want that Holy water burn every day try http://w34.us/BW-S the best in bottle holy drinking water, repels vamps too!

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:06:52 +0000 2009

igrafix: you were lucky – I think @HolyGod is out 4 the day, look at his timeline :)

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:05:25 +0000 2009

Outsanity: Try to have a nice nap ¬_¬

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:05:17 +0000 2009

lspearmanii: too funny – if you burst into flames at church I wanna know about it

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:04:38 +0000 2009

pinksage: was there bread?

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:04:28 +0000 2009

cgfaulkner: The Lord forgives everyone!

about 5 hours ago

Sun Feb 08 21:04:03 +0000 2009

If you had the chance, how would you share the social media message with churches?

• Growing up Catholic

“I grew up Catholic – then I grew up.”

I wrote that for the first time a few years back (and still find that statement somewhat humorous, given that I once considered becoming a priest). You could likely blame my University education for this fall from faith – after discovering that most world religions are dominated not by spirituality, but by politics, money, and power. Prove me wrong. :)

Ah, but we’re talking about faith – and you can’t prove faith. Faith is personal. Faith is also not genetic. I’m not questioning the existence of a higher power – and never could. I question man, and have every reason and ability to do so. I don’t question followers who have already questioned their faith – “God” is who you believe “God” is, if you believe in “God” in the first place.

I’m not a political or religious blogger – so you might ask why I’d bother to bring up something so personal today? I watched Deliver Us From Evil the other night, and felt compelled to share my disgust with the organization that enabled something like this to happen – at any level. I’m embarrassed for every Catholic, recovering or active. This situation is wholly unacceptable, indefensible, and unforgivable. I wish I could remember the comic I heard on XM 150 the other day – who wondered why the Catholic church cares more about protecting unborns than it does living children. Heh.

Let me also state that there’s not a thing I would change about my own childhood and upbringing (I have amazingly wonderful parents). I loved being involved with the mass as an altar boy – but the more I learn about the “church” that raised me, the happier I am for shedding its doctrine. WWJD? Start his own religion – which is precicely what he did, which is precicely what hundreds of men have done throughout history.

I’m off to join the People’s Front of Judea.

• Do Churches Get Social Media?