I won't say who, but a church in my city directly ripped the code and CSS from Mars Hill's (Michigan) site. When I looked at the code, they were even loading Java FROM MHBC's host... shameless, IMO.

I'm totally with you on the main point of your post here. Namely, that these "copycat" services like Godtube, etc. are of no benefit and possible detrimental to the cause of Christ.

On a more minor and nuanced point, however, I must take issue. First, churches MUST always respect copyright. No choice about it...always.

However, some things you guys mention on this blog simply are not subject to copyright. For example, one cannot legally claim copyright to calling a retreat "Survivor Retreat". That phrase is too common to copyright. Now a particular church's logo or artwork for that retreat could be copyrighted, but not simply the name "Survivor Retreat".

Finally, let me say this. Every church has the RIGHT to copyright and protect their unique work. And all other churches have the OBLIGATION to respect the copyright.

However, I'd ask the Christian Community to consider carefully before reserving all rights to their work. Especially if their work is for a "one-time" only event. Why not, after your event is over, open that work up on creative commons or other license that would allow other church's to modify and use your work at-will?

Not every church has the ability or resources to create from scratch. So if there is work you no longer need, why not contribute it to the Body of Christ?

Like the New Testament Believers, we should hold all things in common.

How do you decyfer the use of Pop Culture in the church and copyright? I'm not condoning illegal use of other people's stuff, but where's the line? Who draws the line? Is there a line? And if there is, give us some ideas on how to get close, but not cross it. Granger Community Church comes to my mind as they used many different popular TV shows, movies, songs, etc, to help convey their point. Is this not being "creative" or is this just copying the secular industries to get the attention of non-believers?

I actually understand Godtube (or tangle or whatever it's called now). I get wanting a place just for clean christian videos. I understand it. But not this godwitter mess. It's just another barrier.

Carol Howard Merritt recently blogged on this, discussing how Christian replicas are usually made to cleanse cultural aspects but end up a poor substitute.

Although, for the record, I love Prodigal Jon's Stuff Christians Like for the self-effacing parody that it is.

Ar you serious? Copyright schmopyright. I think you are forgetting that God is in control, and that after 200 years of peace in the US we need some fresh martyrs so we can raise more money. You just don't get it. We are the only community that goes to court over who owns the phrase "What would Jesus Do?" whil most of the pew potatoes are clueless.

Love it, well said, more people need to read this and wake up!

I heard this saying moments before loggin on and reading this blog.

"You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter, and yet its still a turd"

Creativity comes within and is God given I get that, yet it is still craft and part of our muscle memory that needs to be exercised, and if you don't exercise it, then the muscle becomes weak. Asking God everyday what he is "Giving us" what he is "Telling us" and what he is "Showing us". Has been my latest recipe for creativity. Try it, instead of copying other peoples work. Remember when you copy its still a turd! Or maybe your a turd for copying. LOL

Don't mean to be a putz, but What is "Chrisitian" Social Networking? I think you 'misspeled'(tm) (ref: apache mod_spel)

Frankly, it's a very bad witness and I worry that it will succeed...

If christians keep aping secular work and stop producing anything artistic, God is not honored.

Be original, don't support the Christian ghetto.

Godwitter? What a flippin ridiculous idea. When did Christians get the idea that ripping off ANYTHING was going to further the cause?!

Completely agree with what you've said there Joshua. I think that when the Christian world has just become a poxy, poor reflection of the world we've lost our way BIG TIME.

Sam is right... let's contribute to the world with REAL creativity, adding life and value to the world rather than stealing code, 'borrowing' ideas and ripping off other people's excellent ones!

God gave us a brain, not a fractured mirror. Thanks CMS for bringing these things to light... we love you :)

Thanks Joshua.

Why oh why do people think actual contact with a secular thing is going to "contaminate". I wonder when the realisation will dawn on them that they could be of much greater impact in the community (locally & globally) if they just came out from under their little box.

Godwitter... are you kidding me? If I even thought about bringing that up to the students in my ministry I'd get laughed off stage, literally!

I don't mind if people want to take the idea of microblogging and make a "Christian" site for themselves. It's probably unnecessary, but that just gets an eye roll from me. Ideas are not protected by copyright or trademark law.

On the other hand... Not only has "Godwitter" basically ripped off the name of Twitter, they're also ripping off the logo and jargon. It's a textbook case of infringement. They're using the brand equity of Twitter to make their own site more popular. Whether or not Twitter has actually registered their logo with the USPTO, they've use it in a fixed medium, which makes it a protected work. Twitter may not be able to take Godwitter to court and win, but the use is nonetheless unethical.

Check out "The Permission Seeker's Guide through the Legal Jungle: Clearing Copyrights, Trademarks, and Other Rights for Entertainment and Media Productions" (Joy R. Butler), or "Professional Practices in Graphic Design" (AIGA) for more information and details.

I have nothing nice to say.

Excellent blog. You prompted some thoughts of my own about engaging the culture that I shared at: http://chainlink-chainoflakesncd.blogspot.com/

Honestly, I think it's about money. The Godwitter people or any of those other social networking sites rip-off other people's ideas because they want to make money on it. If they can sell advertising, what they did just paid off. Christians accept it because they just created a "clean" version.

It goes back to the old saying that we should be in the world, but not of the world. We should be using Twitter, Facebook and Myspace to connect with people and to share the message of Jesus. This is what Christ meant when he said be a light on a hill, the salt of the earth. Don't take the salt out of the earth by creating seperate social websites.

There's a portion of the bible that we seem to love to skip.

"Be in the world."

This does not translate to live in a bubble, stay away from everyone else, or keep your eyes closed at all times.

"Don't be of the world."

That would mean don't adapt their beliefs and instead be an example.

So close down Godtwitter, open up a twitter account and be a light in a dark world. Forget posting your video to GodTube about Jesus and post it to YouTube (but please make it good).

My wife's cousin posted something the other day that I think applies here. I'm not sure if this is his original quote or someone else's. He said, "We do not become culturally relevant when we become like the culture, but rather when we model what the culture hungers to become."

I think based on this blog and this quote, we have to realize that the church needs to become what the culture longs for, not repeating what we think is cool. This copycat stuff has got to stop. We have something much better than twitter in Jesus Christ. Why aren't we focusing on that? Instead, we focus on copying and trying to be cool.

I went to the Godwitter page just to check it out and to be honest, it isn't even done very well. IMHO! The "Godweets" (is that what they're calling them?) on the front page were people logging on to mock it. They created accounts and slammed Christians and praised Allah. It's a mockery. To quote Michael and Scripture, "Be in the world, but not of it."

I think sometimes creating so called "Christian services" is self defeating. If we are called to minister and share the Gospel to those that haven't heard how is making a little corner just for Christians gonna help. We should be engaging the world not making our own little ones.

Is it possible that the founders of these 'Christian' sites are not even Christians? Maybe they are just people who see a market and try to make a buck. I don't know. Just wondering..hmmm...

Just as an aside, the Bible actually never says that we should be "In the world, not of it." That claim has been made several times in these comments, and while I think the Scriptures teach the principle, the phrase is not in the Bible.

More on topic, I'm waiting for someone to open Godonald's so I can get a Jesus-burger and gospel shake.