11/06/2007: "GodTube"
After YouTube became highly successful online another website was created called GodTube. GodTube showcases movies, music videos, sermons, and opinions of faith by users that upload these videos, much in the same exact fashion as YouTube. With God, Jesus, and Christianity being the main focus of the site. Over the past three months this site was ranked as the fastest growing website on the internet with nearly three million unique visitors daily. That equates to 0.2% of the worlds population viewing this site daily.
Every single video is screened, the creator stated in an interview. He originally wanted to attend seminary school to become a priest however was unable due to the massive success that his website has had. He has a team of seminary students instead working part time at reviewing and approving of videos that are submitted to the site. Not only Christians can post videos but Atheists and people of other faith can as well, as long as it's done in a respectable manner of course. While however impartial that seems, in browsing the site one cannot help but notice that nearly every video that is Christian related has an ongoing discussion or argument in its comments about the Christian faith, typically with atheists who seem intent on only causing strife. It's not to say this is unanimously the case for every set of comments for all videos on GodTube but it is a frequently recurring theme. I wouldn't imagine it being that hard to find discussions and arguments between different church denominations there as well.
The website offers a pleasant experience and fresh videos daily to those who are interested in virtual worship or learning more about Christianity. The must see video on that site seems to be a little girl that recites Psalms 23, which has been viewed nearly 4.5 million times as of the date of this writing.
My initial reaction of the website was not that great as I watched a video that focused on the fire and brimstone approach. Granted that cannot be attributed as a reflection on the website itself but I thought it was completely over the top and unnecessary, and I don't believe that approach will ever help lead people to God. After watching a few more videos' I was happily surprised to see some fresh interpretations and ways of showing God's glory and his love for us.
I would recommend the site to those who want to see some good Christian videos and content. I also wonder what the future will do to the natural Church system, whether sermons will be aired on the internet viewable at your own convenience throughout the day in a video format or feed. Perhaps they'll even set up an automatic tithing system so you are charged after watching a sermon, or before. I don't know for sure but they say God can be found anywhere, and I'm sure that includes the internet as well.