No Internet for Lent?

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Various Catholic bishops in Italy have urged their followers to give up technology, including the use of the internet for Lent:

Italian faithful told to take high-tech break

Bishops urge them to give up cars, MP3 players and more for Lent

AP March. 4, 2009

ROME – Roman Catholic bishops in Italy are urging the faithful to go on a high-tech fast for Lent, switching off modern appliances from cars to MP3 players and abstaining from surfing the Web or text messaging until Easter.

The suggestion gives a modern twist to traditional forms of abstinence in the period Christians set aside for fasting and prayer ahead of Easter…

“What does giving up mean? If the use is capricious then abstinence is welcome, but if technology is needed for work it makes no sense,” said the Rev. Giancarlo Angelo Andreis, a priest at a Rome basilica.

Wariness, appreciation
And where could many of these appeals for abstinence be found? On the Web sites of various dioceses, highlighting the Church’s increasing appreciation of the reach of modern communication even as it remains wary of new media. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29510016/?gt1=43001

However, if you are Catholic, before you possibly stop using the internet, please study into Lent and find out whether or not it is a biblical practice.

If you do, you will find that there is quite a lot that the Church of Rome changed from apostolic Christianity that the Church of God has not changed.

For example, did you know that the early Church kept Passover on the 14th of Nisan and not Easter Sunday?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is Lent a Christian Holiday? When did it originate? What about Ash Wednesday? If you observe them, do you know why?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Easter? If not, when did this happen? What do scholars and the Bible reveal?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?