----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute.
----------------------------------------------------------------
COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS:
This data file is the sole property of the Christian Research
Institute. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may
be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware,"
without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain
the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 1994 by the Christian
Research Institute"). This data file may not be used without the
permission of the Christian Research Institute for resale or the
enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its
content with the exception of a few brief quotations not to
exceed more than 500 words.
If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file
for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale,
please give the following source credit: Copyright 1994 by the
Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan
Capistrano, CA 92693.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Witnessing through Computer Bulletin Boards" (an article from the
Witnessing Tips column of the Christian Research Journal,
Spring/Summer 1994, page 7) by Eric Pement.
The Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Research Journal is
Elliot Miller.
-------------
Many Christians stay on the alert for new avenues of
evangelism. One increasingly popular means for this is the
computer Bulletin Board System, or BBS.
In 1978, there was only one BBS in the world. There are now
close to 90,000, serving about 20 million users. A BBS is basically
a computer hooked up to a telephone line, giving callers access to
electronic mail, games, computer programs, documents, and other
types of data. Its name comes from the cork bulletin boards we're
all familiar with, where notices are posted for passersby to see.
Similarly, most BBS's offer _message areas_ -- usually categorized
by wide-ranging topics such as "For Sale," "dBASE," "Biogenesis" or
"Reincarnation" -- where one's messages can be seen by others who
may reply privately or publicly.
BBS's represent an alternative to commercial information
providers such as America Online, CompuServe, Delphi, GEnie, and
Prodigy. These commercial services run on distributed mainframe
systems costing millions of dollars. They can accommodate thousands
of users simultaneously, book airline reservations, and offer many
special data retrieval services. However, the cost can be high: at
their _cheapest_ rates, annual charges (10 hours of connect time
per month) will run from $240 (Delphi) to $590 (CompuServe).
In contrast, most BBS's run on personal computers out of the
owner's home. They normally accommodate only a few users
simultaneously and mainly focus on two things: message bases and
file downloads. (A "download" involves a transfer of a file from
the BBS computer to your computer.) Thus, the annual cost of
calling a BBS is much less than that of using a commercial system.
Indeed, many BBS's give callers unlimited access to their services
for _free._
*_Getting Connected._* To dial a BBS, you need a computer and
a modem. Happily, the computer you use does _not_ need to be
compatible with the BBS. Macintosh users can connect with MS-DOS
BBS's, and vice versa. A modem (from _mo_dulator/_dem_odulator) is
a device that modulates or translates the digital codes used by the
computer into analog (wave-like) tones for the phone lines, and
back again.
You'll also need a communications or "terminal" program to run
the modem. Popular terminal programs include Procomm Plus,
Smartcom, Crosstalk, Microphone, and WinComm. Prices on these
usually range from $40 to $150. Within the communications program,
add the phone numbers of the BBS's you plan to call. Many secular
BBS numbers are listed in the newsstand magazines _Computer
Shopper_ and _Boardwatch Magazine._ However, please exercise
caution here. Though there are exceptions, secular BBS's often have
"adult" sections that are unacceptable for Christian ethics and
interest, and hundreds are living fulfillments of Romans 1:29-32.
As a beginner you'll find excellent witnessing opportunities on
Christian BBS's (yes, many unbelievers call Christian systems). As
you become more experienced, you can venture out to secular systems
that are not ethically offensive (there are some out there).
The first time I called a BBS I was petrified, certain I would
do something wrong. Most new callers feel the same way. Relax! You
can't "hurt" the BBS, and in most cases the worst you can do is
waste your own time. A combination modem program-and-textbook, such
as Phil Becker's _Introduction to PC Communications_ (Que
Corporation, $25) is helpful in getting started.
Certain BBS's also let their callers use "handles" or
pseudonyms, such as Dr. Hackmeister, Madhatter, or Cyberlord.
Though some people prefer this anonymity, the majority of Christian
BBS's nonetheless ask callers to use their real names. This policy
tends to create a more open atmosphere of honesty among the users.
BBS messages fall into two types: substantially private mail
(E-mail) between two people, and public messages posted in
topic-oriented areas where everyone can read them. In the latter
case, topical areas are called _echoes_ if the messages are copied
(or "echoed") to other BBS's in a network of cooperating computer
systems. A message you post in Chicago may be echoed to thousands
of BBS's across the world in less than 48 hours. (An echo is _not_
the place to ask local questions, such as how the BBS works. Take
those questions to E-mail.)
*_Basic Witnessing Tips._* Here are four tips to keep in mind
when witnessing on BBS's.
First, read message areas _thoroughly_ before posting. There
are often rules for leaving messages, generally posted monthly. If
you don't see any, ask. Try to follow the ebb and flow of
conversation, and if you need to, tape James 1:19 to the top of
your monitor.
Second, respect topical echoes. Posting the _Four Spiritual
Laws_ in a desktop publishing echo is tacky; refrain from leaving
"off-topic" messages. If religious questions come up in a technical
echo, continue the conversation in a different area or via E-mail.
Third, be concise. Brief messages or questions, sometimes with
a verse of Scripture or two, have better impact than lengthy
essays. I have spent hours composing long messages to cultists,
only to discover that they stopped reading after three or four
screensful.
Fourth, know your facts, and spell accurately (e.g., messages
criticizing "Morman" doctrine are singularly unconvincing). You
don't have to write your messages on-line, off the top of your
head. Compose them offline, checking your facts, and upload them
into the message base later. Ask the BBS sysop (_sys_tem
_op_erator) to tell you about _offline reader_ programs, which
automate this task for you.
The public BBS arena, combined sensitively with private
meetings (Gal. 2:2), has already yielded many genuine conversions.
-------------
*Eric Pement* is senior editor for _Cornerstone_ magazine, and is
sysop of the Jesus People USA BBS in Chicago (312-878-6030).
-------------
End of document, CRJ0179A.TXT (original CRI file name),
"Witnessing through Computer Bulletin Boards"
release A, February 28, 1995
R. Poll, CRI
(A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in
the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Christian Research Journal is published quarterly by the
Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the late
Dr. Walter R. Martin. While CRI is concerned with and involved
in the general defense of the faith, our area of research
specialization is limited to elements within the modern religious
scene that compete with, assault, or undermine biblical
Christianity. These include cults (that is, groups which deny
essential Christian doctrines such as the deity of Christ and the
Trinity); the occult, much of which has become focused in the
contemporary New Age movement; the major world religions; and
aberrant Christian teachings (that is, teachings which compromise
or confuse essential biblical truth).
Regular features of the Journal include "Newswatch," witnessing
tips and book reviews.
CHRISTIAN RESEARCH JOURNAL RATES: (subject to change)
One Year Two Years
U.S. Residents [ ] 20.00 [ ] 37.00
Canadian (U.S. funds) [ ] 24.00 [ ] 44.00
Other Foreign (U.S. funds) [ ] 36.00 [ ] 66.00
Please make checks payable to CRI
To place a credit card order by phone, call us toll-free at:
(800) 2-JOURNAL
To subscribe to the Christian Research Journal, please print this
coupon, fill in the necessary information and mail it with your
payment to:
CRI, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693-0500
[ ] Yes! I want to subscribe to the Christian Research Journal.
Name: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP: __________________________________________
Country: _______________ Phone: ____________________________
YOURS FOR THE ASKING
Did you know that CRI has a wealth of information on various
topics that is yours for the asking? In fact, a free
subscription to the Christian Research Newsletter is yours if you
contact CRI and ask for one saying that you found out about the
offer from this computer text file. We offer a wide variety of
articles and fact sheets free of charge. Write us today for
information on these or other topics. Our first-rate research
staff will do everything possible to help you.
Christian Research Institute
P.O. Box 500-TC
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693
(714) 855-9926
---------------
End of file.