More Than 40,000 Orthodox Jews To Pack Citi Field Sunday For Internet Protest
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - Ultra-Orthodox Jews who believe that the Internet threatens their way of life have rented the home of the New York Mets for Sunday.
More than 40,000 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men plan to pack Citi Field for a gathering on how to use modern technology in a religiously-appropriate way.
Organizers have also rented the nearby Arthur Ashe Stadium for the overflow crowd.
Eytan Kobre, a spokesman for the organizers, said that the purpose of the rally isn't to ban the Internet, but to learn how to harness it. He said that there's a "very significant downside'' from such threats as online pornography, gambling and the risk that social media will undermine the "ability to pray uninterruptedly.''
A sociology professor at Queens College said that ultra-Orthodox Jewish leaders are worried about "seepage of the outside world." But he said that at the same time, many members of that community use the Internet for online trading or to run businesses from their homes.
What are your reactions to this rally? Can you see their point or do you flatly disagree with their beliefs? Offer your thoughts and comments below...
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