Resisting Digital Slavery by Strengthen Your Mind
Chapter 2 from the White Rose volume: "How to Avoid Digital Slavery"
NB. This article first appeared in The White Rose bkk titled How to Avoid Digital Slavery, as Chapter 2. The publisher has gracious allowed me to post it here as well. The Book can be purchased directly from the White Rose at: https://thewhiterose.uk/white-rose-products/NEW-How-to-Avoid-Digital-Slavery-p560838650 or on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Avoid-Digital-Slavery-White-Rose/dp/B0C9S7P18T/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=how+to+avoid+digital+slavery&qid=1698969743&sr=8-1.
I do not recieve any revenue for this work, but believe you will benefit if you purchase it. This article was brief due to publishing constraints. I hope to expand it in later posts, DV. Feel free to email any questions, comments, or suggestions. Memes are alway welcome, but nasty comments will be mercilessly deleted (with unwinsome relish).
Introduction
Tools from the beginning have been mankind's key object for carrying out the Dominion Mandate of Genesis. Whether it be clothing, a knife, a plow, or jumbo jet. Each tool has a function and purpose.
In these latter days we have seen the growth of new types of tools. No more are they fit for purpose to perform an action, now the tools are complete environments, immersive, and ultimately enslaving. So is the digital age no longer a tool, but a new faux Garden of Eden.
As we have seen in the 20th Century the enemy of our souls has been permitted by the Almighty to use the precursors to digital technology: surveillance cameras, audio recording devices, surveillance video, and tracking devices, to enhance tyrant's abilities to control and subjugate men and women. We saw this in Nazi Germany, but perhaps more so in East Germany under the Soviet regime.
In tyranny the one thing you always have, and short of death, will always have, is your mind. If you are confined or tortured you still have your mind. Pain and suffering may empty you of all dignity, but what you have in your memory is yours and cannot be taken away. Your memory is the most important thing you possess, and that is the one thing the digital tyrants want most to capture.
Surveillance
We know that surveillance works, works against those bearing God's Image, and in favor of those belonging to the father of lies. We know this. We can see it. It is growing daily with each app, each new phone feature, each new law enforcement 'tool'. Ultimately, God decides how far the wicked are allowed to go. It is foolish to assume God will stop them before it gets out of hand. He has used such wicked people in the past to punish sinful nations, to temper and try the godly, and to bring Himself glory. There is no reason to presume, and it is a presumption, that He will not do it again.
What do we do? The answer is the same as it was in the Garden at the beginning, the same as what Christ did when he battled His and our enemy in the desert, the same as it was when Peter and the Apostles faced down the rulers of their day: Speak the Words of God. The answer always begins with: 'God hath said'.
Preparing
In preparation for the already growing tyranny, and the already growing subjugation (varies by country, but the flight path is the same), is to MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE. Be ready in season and out of season, at work, at school, and even in the police station under questioning, to give an answer; to quote Scripture.
Pagans and the weak often see Scriptures as magic words, and incantations of sorts. This is not the case. Scripture is the God-Breathed Word of God, the words of our Creator, the words of the one Sovereign over all the universe. What He says matters, it matters acutely, His words are the most important words that exist. Most of you agree, most of you could say these things even better than I can. But is this belief present in your life? Do you find it easier to recite rock-n-roll lyrics than passages from the Bible?
Preparation is necessary for the coming digital-powered tyranny. I am not prophesying that there will be a digital-powered tyranny, but I am recommending that preparing for that possibility is prudent. Unlike a lot of preparations, this one has no downside. The Word of God in your heart will always be used by the Holy Spirit to build you up and to bring others into the Kingdom, both when times are good and when they are not.
Memorization
There are numerous plans for memorizing, numerous suggested lists of verses to memorize, and techniques to improve and enhance the memorizing process. I will not go into these. They are easy enough to find on the internet, at this time. My thoughts are more recommendations on the Memorizing Project itself.
Decide to make Memorization a major priority in your life. 'Major'? Maybe 'Most Important'
Identify specific actions to take to open up reliable daily space and time for memorizing (e.g. less TV, less Social Media, etc.)
Decide on an approach. Here are some suggestions to consider. Take your time before committing to one, but do take the time, and do decide.
a) Flash cards (3x5 or UK equivalent, or cut them in half) to carry with you
b) Memory app on your phone (I use BibleMemory.com) but there are others. I tried 4 or 5 before settling on BibleMemory. And yes, the enemy may see what you are memorizing. So what.
c) Cheat sheet (single sheet with verses written on them, carrying them with you for reference where ever you go.)
d) Record your voice or snip the verse from a prerecording and use it on your phone or device for audio memorizing
Set a couple of simple goals.
Time spent daily in memorizing: pick a small but measurable number to track: 15 or 20 minutes to start
A number of verses to review daily: 2 to 5 is a good start. Test to see if the number fits the time you apportioned in 4 [NB: I do not recommend setting goals for number of verses to memorize daily/weekly etc. You are not in a competition. Better to spend a time daily and review a number of verses daily. These things are easy to track and to do]
Make a list of verses you already partially know to a lesser or greater extent: John 3:16, The Lord's Prayer, Psalm 23. Make these the first verses you nail down.
Make a running list of candidates you want to memorize at some point. When you hear or read a verse, or its used in your liturgy, and it struck you as important, put it on the list for later.
Make a list of hymn lyrics or simple songs (there are a lot of simple songs that are singing a verse or two). Some may object to non-scripture hymns. I will explain below.
Add three long-passage memorization items: The Lord's Prayer; The Ten Commandments; The Apostles Creed. Some may object to Creed, I will explain down below.
Errata
I would include a few of your favorite hymns, particularly if they are theologically rich. Avoid the modern pop-songs-mascarading-as-spiritual. Remember, when the Apostles were jailed, chained up, tied down - they sang hymns. These expressions of praise to God can be done under the most extreme tyrannies. And if in your head, they cannot be taken them away except by death.
I have included the Creed for a specific reason. It is not Scripture. However, it is the closest thing Believers have globally, to cite to each other as a pass-code. I do not support many communions over doctrinal matters, but in times of tyranny and incarceration, I will gladly join with others confessing the Creed in worshiping and praying. It is the closest thing we have to a universal membership card.
A Final Word Concerning Confessions and Catechisms
Many of you are members of a communion with a defined Confession of Faith, and a catechism. Things to consider: A confession is helpful when witnessing to others of your faith in a non-combatant situation. A catechism is helpful in more challenging but non-life threatening circumstance. A catechism is also helpful in schooling others in the faith. So in a prison or concentration camp, a catechism may find great utility in instructing others who are new to the faith, or to young people stripped from their families and churches. I value my catechism and have committed it to memory. But I did so after I had built a solid catalog of Scripture. These important memory projects should be second to the core Scriptures.