How the internet has affected the church.

[Rico]

How do y'all think the internet has affected the church? Has it furthered the cause of Christ? Or has it only served to divide God's people through highlighting differences of opinion? It is now possible for someone to hear preaching of all types, find like minded believers from all over the globe for fellowship, find prayer in times of need, encouragement in times of despair, etc., all without setting foot in a bricks and mortar church. Never before in the history of the church has this been possible. I forsee a time when, other than getting baptized, people's entire experience with church will be done over the internet. Will this be acceptable in the sight of God? Will gathering with like minded believers over an internet connection count towards the assembling together the Bible speaks of? Will it be ok with the Lord for people to experience their preaching exclusively from the internet?

I know some of these concepts will be foreign to some of you, but keep in mind that we are the first generation to actually have the internet and we will remember what life was like without it. 20 years from now there will be a whole generation of people that will not have any idea what life was like without it and they will depend on the internet for far more than we do. Is it possible for someone to be saved via the internet?