“TellItinLove.com aims to encourage Christians to be responsible in e-mail communications.”
July 31, 2007 (St. Louis, MO) – Universal Networks, in partnership with the ChristianSource Free Software and Linux User Group, is pleased to announce TellItinLove.com (TIIL), a project aimed at opposing the use of unsolicited e-mail, typically known as “spam,” as a form of communication for Christian ministries.
The TIIL project was conceived several years ago in a discussion between ChristianSource administrators Timothy R. Butler, Ed Hurst and Eduardo Sanchez , who were frustrated by the un-Christian behavior of many ministries which use spam to distribute their messages. The list is presently small, but is expected to grow as users begin to report additional offending organizations for inclusion. When possible, TIIL plans to contact ministries placed on the list with the goal of encouraging them to change their practices, rather than simply writing them off.
“It’s heartbreaking we find the need to admonish people claiming Christ for acting like the Devil,” Hurst remarked. “There is no excuse for adopting one of the most hated practices on the Net. It tarnishes the message.” Linc Fessenden, founder of Linux4Christians, another long time group oriented towards the use of Free and Open Source software in Christian contexts enthusiastically supported the idea. “I am excited to try it,” he remarked. “It’s a great idea whose time has unfortunately come.” “There are many projects that seek to find ways to fight spam, but TIIL is about more than just fighting spam – it is about encouraging Christian organizations to see how their actions betray the very message they claim to be proclaiming,” Butler explained. “Ultimately, TIIL’s goal follows the overarching goal of Christianity: we seek restoration, to encourage ministries to a new found responsibility in Internet communications.”
ABOUT TELLITINLOVE.COM
TellItinLove.com seeks to advocate Christian responsibility in online mailings. You can find out more and participate in reporting spam by visiting www.tellitinlove.com .
ABOUT CHRISTIANSOURCE
ChristianSource Free Software and Linux Users Group seeks to encourage the usage of Linux and other free software solutions amongst Christians, and to provide a helpful place to seek answers on the application of Free and Open Source Software in the context of ministry. For more information visit cs.uninetsolutions.com .
ABOUT LINUX4CHRISTIANS
Linux4Christians is a community spanning e-mail lists and a web blog that helps users understand how Linux and other free software makes sense for use in churches. You can find out more at www.linuxforchristians.org .
ABOUT UNIVERSAL NETWORKS
Universal Networks is a diversified IT services firm providing computer help desk, web design and web hosting services since 1996. It is also publisher of FaithTree.com and the Open for Business (www.ofb.biz) online magazine. For more information visit www.uninetsolutions.com.
CONTACT:
Timothy R. Butler
tbutler@uninetsolutions.com