Forum 3 Module 6

 Topic: Government Surveillance and Personal Privacy

Government surveillance and data collection gets more pervasive by the day especially after the 2001 terrorist attacks. The U.S. government demands powers to access phone networks, monitor Internet traffic, and hack into computers for carrying out surveillance. They say they need to collect all the data to prevent further terrorist attacks and enforce the national security.

Civil rights activists and privacy groups say that deploying these ‘extremely invasive’ surveillance techniques violate personal privacy and basic human rights and that it is unconstitutional. They believe that privacy protects us from abuses by those in power and that it is a fundamental element for upholding people with dignity and respect.

Between the two seemingly opposing sides, what is your standpoint? How would you mediate the conflicting perspectives under the light of Christianity?

Your thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday and your reply is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday.