“Here’s the church and here’s the steeple, open the doors and see all the people …”
Remember that rhyming game?
If you do, then there may be another “church” you should consider joining.
Christian communities are popping up in some unconventional places these days, and the “congregation” symbolized by your itty-bitty fingertips in that clever children’s rhyme is now at your grown-up fingertips … literally.
Like everything else in the world, Christianity is going online in a big way.
Which leads us to the “Palmetto Network,” an invitation-only Internet community of South Carolina social conservatives that aims to bring God’s chosen people into the 21st Century.
“Jesus Loves Me,” meet Web 2.0.
So what exactly does the “Palmetto Network” do?
Well, it’s like Facebook, Twitter, e-mail messaging, blogging and a whole host of other community-building applications all rolled up into one handy dandy homepage – an easy-to-use platform that lets members pick and choose their own friends, groups, candidates to support and social conservative news feeds.
Created by Unifyer, a Texas-based Internet firm, the platform looks like this …
Currently, the “Palmetto Network” only has about 250 members, but it won’t stay small for long because its host organizations are building off of databases that easily number in the tens of thousands.
For example, participating groups include the Palmetto Family Council, S.C. Citizens for Life, Gun Owners of S.C. and South Carolinians for Responsible Government – four of the state’s largest conservative activist groups.
And while FITS agreed not to release any members’ names, we can say that several prominent South Carolina politicos have already joined the network – including at least one candidate for governor.
Expect this group to emerge as a political force … or rather prolong the shelf life of the religious right as a relevant grassroots player in South Carolina politics.
One reason social conservatives represent a rapidly-deteriorating segment of the GOP base is their failure to leverage emerging political technologies, but it looks like they’re starting to figure out how to leverage some of those technologies all of a sudden …
UPDATE – Wes Wolfe has just published a list of some of the site’s more well-known members.
By Wes Wolfe February 15, 2009 at 7:42 pm
What is the big secret with who is a member? Seems like no big deal to say you are a member of a conservative social networking community.
By BIN News Editorial Staff February 15, 2009 at 7:46 pm
How about share the link. Some of our staff want to join.
By Tradd February 15, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Andre is just looking for a new way to meet some hot chicks.
By Geert Wilders' Secretary February 15, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I hope these good folks’ pastor teaches them the truths about Islam. If not, they need a new pastor!!!
I hope their pastor is teaching them about the “12th Imam” — which is the Islamic messiah — whose coming the radicals believe can be hastened by bringing mass murder and hell on earth to us infidels.
And that Islam is a culture of death — hence the glorification of martyrdom.
And their pastor is teaching them that “Allah” is not just another name for God!!!
And their pastor is teaching them that terrorism is NOT about territorial concessions, no amount of which will EVER be enough. Nothing short of world domination and destroying the “little satan” – Israel, and the “big satan” – America. THAT’s what it’s all about…
***
Do y’all think Obama understands ANY of this? ***GEERT DOESN’T THINK SO***
By fitsnews February 15, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Wes-
We told our source we wouldn’t share any names. It may not be a big deal, but when we make an agreement with a source, we keep it.
BIN-
What part of “invitation only” did you not understand? The only way to get a weblink to the site is to be invited to join and accept that invitation.
What is ya, ig-n’ rant?
-FITS
By Fiji February 15, 2009 at 10:53 pm
and dont forget buddhism, sufism and hinduism. all alternative paths to salvation.
By Snead February 16, 2009 at 8:39 am
Or you can go here http://palmettonetwork.unifyer.com/, click ‘Register’, fill in your name, email address and password and get this message: “Thank you for registering! You can log in immediately at The Palmetto Network.”
Much more inclusive than some SC churches.
By Alex February 16, 2009 at 9:11 am
This whole “invitation-only” thing must be just a way to peak people’s interest and drive up site traffic. I just went on the site, registered myself, and logged in right away. I could see who was on the site, what groups have been organized, and who are in those groups. Since I am a social liberal I appreciate the Palmetto Network letting me register.
By Randy February 16, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Alex is a baby killer.
By Lauren February 16, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Randy – you mean Alex is a fetus killer.
By Dead Baby February 16, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Randy,
True.
By BIN News Eidtorial Staff February 16, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Our funding editor registered yesterday with no problem and is now a member.
So much for sic(k) willie’s “invitation only” scam.