JWs and FaceBook

by cognac 9 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  cognac

  Are they allowed to vomit all their JW crap everywhere on FB? I know they aren't supposed to have JW forums so I figured the same would apply to FB but not sure.

  If there are any references, that would be great.
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  StephaneLaliberte

  Facebook is a platform to share your passions and key events with your friends and family. Therefore, I would not expect any less from Jehovah’s Witness who are truly into their religion. You don’t have to read their stuff… you can simply delete them. That’s what I did with most of my JW friends.
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  SophieG

  One of the last talks I heard was during the service meeting 3-4 years ago about the perils of JWs using social media. It was a KM part. They tried to lambast it in comments and many of my friends...some elders, knew how popular I was on FB. So in grand Sophie style, I obviously, exaggeratingly, *ROLLED MY EYES/SCREWED MY NECK*...whatever. No one listens to that admontion. I know of elders who have FB and post regularly.
  
  Funny, most of my JW FB friends and they are a lot ...(they have not unfriended me...go figure) hardly ever spew any JW stuff...some don't even have JW as their religious identity.

  There are a select few who go on about the meetings/conventions or when some calamity/disaster hits bring out the whole end of system is near rhetoric. Sometimes I will jump on a post and just say something obnoxious to mess with them. It's fun for a chuckle.
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  punkofnice

  FB is frowned upon as it prevents JWs from being confined to their mental cult compound. Like SophieG I still have JW FB friends that have no unfriended me for some reason even though I'm DA'd for apostacy.

  I don't ever see JW garbage being spouted by them on FB. Often quite the opposite. It's like FB is their real persona not the cult persona.

  I know elders and suck up min servs that have used FB to spy on the congregation. It's a 2 edged sword.
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  SophieG

  I agree with you Punk about that FB persona.

  What amazes me is that when I post things that shold be controversial to a JW, some these people actually "LIKE" the status!!! WTH?

  I sometimes wonder how many of them are "awake" and know where I am coming from but are as usual afraid of leaving for the family reasons!?!
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  punkofnice

  Sophie - Yes. I'm trying to remember what I was like even as an elder. I'd go on the net and FB. I was myself on there. I was somebody else when it came to JW things. I wasn't awake........but maybe my inner self was trying to break through and wake me up!?!
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  Captain Blithering

  I remember as an elder sitting in the CO elders meeting, the body being TOLD that "NO elder or miserable serpent would want to/should have a facebook account." I had one, and thought to myself, 'who dyou think you ARE laying down LAWS like that? Pointing out guidelines and dangers, fair enough, but stipulating a NEGATORY on that, whatever!!'

  I kept it, still have it, and I've seen the attitudes relax towards it as well, I think possibly as it's expanded from just individuals to businesses, organisations, bands and the like, it's a bit more mainstream. (wonder if there'll ever be a society FB account?! doubtful.)

  As to maintaining contact with individuals who have df/da/faded, there were times as I was awakening that I would've loved to comment on a couple of individuals videos/statuses/comments, but to do so would've outed myself so I couldn't. So maybe we should always keep witness friends on facebook, you never know what effect you may be having even if you don't find out about it until years later.

  (there are still people who have used this forum who know me but don't know me on here!! I would love to be able to friend them on facebook but it would be a clear sign to all my other contacts.. what ridiculous political wriggling we do......)
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  SophieG

  Punk: OMG! You just confirmed that I had split personalities while I was in…I was really a Sybil!!!...but I digress.

  Captian: I remember as an elder sitting in the CO elders meeting, the body being TOLD that "NO elder or miserable serpent would want to/should have a facebook account."

  I used to feel just like you: “who are you guys to tell me what to do?” Well you see where it led me!

  I openly interact with my DF’d relative and his GF on FB. Everyone knows he’s DF’d. I guess I have a “brazen” sign on my forehead.
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  punkofnice

  I've seen FB pages by JWs for JWs and they're hilarious.

  Post a question they can't answer and they all hop about shouting 'apostate(TM)' and deleting the comments. Self righteous bigots!
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  gma-tired2

  My son who has been df'd for 18 years and has many of his JW cousins and friends still on FB with him. Occasionaly he will be defriended but not very often. I think many are still iding themselves as JWs for their parents. Most of these friends, cousins are in their 40 's. My BIL 79 would love to have a FB account but afraid of my sister. He is constantly asking who I have on my FB account, I tell him all your neices and nephews, a great way to keep up at a distance.