Fighting the evils of the Internet

In Israel, the Haredim, the ultra-orthodox Jews have called for a boycott of the internet. That by itself is probably not a newsflash. We all know the kinds of things available on the internet. And, we all suspect that the extremely conservative religious folks would have even more problems with such things than we do.

But, the sites that have prompted this boycott are sites run by people withing the Haredim community. Quoting from an AP story by Amy Teibel, "Ultra-Orthodox seek boycott of their own Web sites,"

Prominent ultra-Orthodox Israeli rabbis are targeting a new foe in the decidedly impious world of the Internet: They've demanded a boycott of their community's own Web sites, accusing them of disseminating "gossip, slander ... filth and abominations."

It's the latest flashpoint in a long-simmering battle by rabbis in the profoundly insular ultra-Orthodox, or haredi, community to preserve their influence over hundreds of thousands of followers in an era when the forces of technology are growing ever more powerful.

The ultra-Orthodox portals do not contain the seamy material that traditionally has been the main target of rabbinical ire. But the sites, which publish articles on politics, economics, health and religion, do offer freewheeling discussions with irreverent and unmonitored reader responses - including direct criticism of rabbis' authority.

Such ultra-conservative religious groups do not like for their members to be exposed to diversity of thinking or to those who would question the authority of the group's leadership or to any opinion that differs from the accepted line. In a tradition of very strict control, you would expect some level of success. Again from the article,"So far, the boycott calls in Israel have already claimed significant victories. At least two sites have shut down and key figures have resigned from another."

How do you respond to such a move? Do you think it is good that this boycott has already resulted in the limitation of access to the internet? Are gaining more knowledge and being exposed to more opinions always a good thing or something to be feared?