A consumer expert, who's also a church member, has advised Christians against conducting daily Bible readings using a smartphone. James Roberts, the author of the book "Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?" has sound research on the effects of the unhealthy use of mobile devices, even if for reading the Bible.
Roberts, who is also a marketing professor at Baylor University, cited that smartphone use is disruptive enough in one's daily life. Using the device to read the Bible can have the same impact.
"We go looking for a scripture verse and next thing we know we are lost in the daily current of life," Roberts stated.
He said that study experts call the effects of smartphone addiction or compulsion as "phubbing." The term refers to a person who snubs people and his surroundings because he's always immersed on his phone. Roberts explained that Christians might also end up phubbing God if they use smartphones and Bible apps to follow the Scriptures.
"The whole power of the smartphone is it's distractability," the professor and author said. "My 2 cents is that church should be the one place we are not distracted."
Roberts appeal to lessen smartphone use when worshipping God comes as Pope Francis also discussed the perils of digitalization among faithful Christians. In "Gaudete et Exsultate" ("Rejoice & Be Glad"), Pope Francis said that the digital world strips time away from Christians to actually pursue helping those in need.
"When we allow ourselves to be caught up in superficial information, instant communication and virtual reality, we can waste precious time and become indifferent to the suffering flesh of our brothers and sisters," Pope Francis wrote in his latest apostolic exhortation.
Pope Francis is no stranger to digitalization, though. He has a social media account - albeit manned by a team.
He also reminded members of the Catholic Church to be mindful of their behavior on the Internet. The pope suggested logging off as necessary so that people can focus on serving God by helping others.
