Richard Littledale

Richard Littledale's
Views on the News: July 2014

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Privacy and connectivity

Infinite Regression of this Views Page

Years ago, the old Shredded Wheat packet showed a picture of a boy walking past a Shredded Wheat factory with one of the packets tucked under his arm. The packet he was carrying depicted a similar packet, and that packet had a similar boy with packet and so on.

The 'stacked' depiction has been echoed in some of the recent coverage following the Leveson enquiry. On our television screens and in our newspapers we have seen the press covering the press covering the press...

Of course, we are legitimately concerned about the invasion of privacy which has come to light. The freedom of the press, which many hold dear, is not a freedom to do anything by any means. We would rather negotiate the price of such a freedom than have it at any price. Privacy is a fundamental human right - and without it we cannot flourish as human beings.

We all need space to conduct private conversations, and safe spaces in which to express our doubts, fears, anxieties and even our criticisms.

The odd thing is that the same society which has recoiled from this invasion of privacy is also a society more connected and open than any before it. We Tweet our thoughts, Facebook our events, Instagram our holiday snaps and Pin our favourite recipes. On our own terms, and in our own ways we love to share our lives with others.

The Bible, emerging as it did from cultures very different to our own, is relatively silent on the issue of an individual's right to privacy. If anything, it suggests that the inclination of faith is to share the most private version of ourselves with the Creator who made us. David, looking back on a troubled and less than glorious life, expresses his gratitude that God sees even his most hidden thoughts:

You have searched me, LORD,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me

God knows things about us which no other human being will ever know, but there is a certain security in knowing that is the case. Our trust in the press may have been shaken, but we can always trust God with our secrets.

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