Will Christians thank Steve Jobs?

April 27, 2010 in Christian Living, for Churches, Pastors

Christians are often known for what we’re against.

  • Abortion.
  • Pornography.
  • Gay marriage.

But are we also known for what we are for? And how do we respond when others, even organisations, act in support of the things that we are for?

Take for example Apple.

CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, won’t have porn available in the iTunes store. In fact, he is happy to promote his competitors products if porn is what you want. Wired reports:

“You know, there’s a porn store for Android,” Jobs said. “You can download nothing but porn. You can download porn, your kids can download porn. That’s a place we don’t want to go, so we’re not going to go there.”

Given the size of the porn industry, it’s hard to imagine that Jobs would be making this decision on commercial grounds. And whilst the iTunes store still has some questionable (i.e. soft-core porn) content, this resolve by Jobs is good news, news that should be celebrated.

How will we respond? Will we thank Steve Jobs? Or will we remain silent?

I’d like to suggest that as well as being the ones who jump up and down in protest when decisions are made that are bad for our society, we are also the ones who celebrate and thank those responsible for making decisions that support our society. Are you with me?

Perhaps if you agree you can write a note (i.e. comment) at the bottom of this post, and I’ll pass them onto Steve (via the Apple contact page!).

On a semi-related note…

Speaking of Steve Jobs, Joshua Harris recently wrote a letter to Steve Jobs. I liked the intention behind it. Here’s an excerpt:

“I’ve been using your computers now for 25 years. I’m grateful for the work you’ve done. I mean that. Thank you! And I want you to know that I pray for your good health often. I also pray that one day soon you’ll come to know and worship God’s son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life to save sinners like you and me. All the success you’ve achieved is meaningless apart from knowing him and finding through faith in him reconciliation with God.
God bless you, Mr. Jobs. And great work on the iPad.”
  • http://www.tpcc.org.au Paul Hodge

    Steve, Thanks for taking the hard step, of not making porn available in the iTunes store. I’m a Christian man who tries hard to be a godly husband and father, and your decision takes one more temptation away – thanks. By the way, Apple products rule!

  • http://frozensummers.com Frozen Summers

    Of course its completely pointless because you can still get access to everything on the net via safari (or opera mini)

  • Steven Kryger

    It’s not completely pointless. Of course there are multiple channels to access porn. But making one channel unavailable is a step worth celebrating and encouraging.

  • Andrew

    Thanks, Steve, for removing one way of accessing pornography. Yes, there are other ways, but your step is appreciated and valued.

    I thank God that you’ve taken the hard, commercial decision to not allow these apps in the app store.

  • http://www.the-rodeo.com RodeoClown

    Of course, when they did the app-store purge, they left the big names (playboy etc) on there.

  • http://theboxpop.wordpress.com Steve Boxwell

    Thanks Steve

    So often when doing battle with the issue of raunch culture, we Christians involved in the debate are glad for a front not to have to fight on that we completely ignore it (because after all that’s just what organisations like apple “should” do). This post reminded me to be thankful, to pray and to write a pithy thank you note (using my macbook of course).

  • Steven Kryger

    The iTunes store isn’t perfect or porn-free. However, it’s good to see one front (as Steve Boxwell put it) where we are not being attacked. I’m thankful for that. We don’t have to wait until we have won the war to celebrate the victory of a smaller battle. And surely, expressing our gratitude can’t do any harm and potentially even help promote these values?

  • http://www.calvarychapelcheyenne.org Shaun Sells

    Thanks Steve! Superior products are one thing, but superior standards that will ultimately protect children and families are more important to me. Just one more reason to add to my list of reasons our church office is a 100% mac zone.

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