by run dont walk 13 Replies latest jw friends
answering one of minimus questions, got me thinking, the Watchtower must hate the Internet, all this info and experiences from all over the world at your fingertips, it's almost like the Watchtower HAD a communist rule over their followers, only telling them what they wanted.
THEN >>>>>>>>>>
The Internet,
Do you think the Watchtower will say, A true Jehovah's Witness would have no use for such an "apostate" device.
I really don't think so. They use it themselves now, and see it as a tool. They'll just keep the usual counsel nonsense!
I thought they already hinted at that in a KM not too long ago?
Gumby
Check with Blondie on this one, but I believe that (in so many words) they have. They CLEARLY have demonized the internet. I know many JW's, esp. the older ones that would not want to even own a computer because they could get internet access and be exposed to those "apostates". Hell, the Circuit Overseer called TV the "Devil's Eye".
Yes, they use the internet, but they are the only ones telling the "truth" so you should avoid all other sites.
Just like it was ok for them to be in the UN, but not for the rank and file to vote or join a political party.
Hypocrites they are, no matter what the topic.
Happyout
If they called the internet satanic, they'd have to explain why they continue to maintain a website on it.
I think the TV analogy is a good one. They strongly campaign against certain types of TV shows and movies, but don't ban them altogether. Every good JW knows what he can and cannot watch.
My 77 year old father uses it. He's pretty loyal and his wife is a blind follower who lets the WT do all her thinking for her. They both use the internet for e-mail, but even that's difficult for them. I don't think they go surfing at all. Partially because they aren't that internet saavy. But I think to some extent they're afraid of it. They're afraid of running across some apostate website and inviting satan into their home. I think that's one reason they don't try too hard to learn how to surf websites. And I know my dad would love it if he could. Like me, all the information out there would delight him. Websites about ships, museums, etc.
That's why I think that ANYBODY that is internet savy looks at these "apostate" sites. I know quite a few elders and servants that are in this category.
I would love to see some of those documents that call the internet "satanized". I wouldn't put it past them at all at this point. Just when you thought that you heard it all...
Shamus
They will continue to encourage people not to use it.
However, the internet is going to get bigger and bigger. There is no way to stop it.
So far, I don't think they've encouraged anybody not to use the web. If you used the internet for e-mail for your job or even the web for your job, I doubt they'd say anything. But they've put out strong warnings about the dangers - internet porn, sexual predators, "those posing as fellow Christians (JWs)" with misinformation, etc.
I don't think they come right out and warn you of exactly what they're afraid of. I think they've realized that any publicity is good publicity. So I don't think they come right out and mention apostate websites, but I may be wrong. I think they sort of sidestep it and give you a vague idea about anti JW people out there.
As for calling it satanic outright, I don't think I've seen that. But hey, what do I know? I rarely see their literature anymore, mostly what's posted and quoted here.
But like so many other things, they follow the same pattern. They strongly hint that you shouldn't do it at all, while technically not going so far as to say that. Experienced JWs will get the message and form opinions that the internet is all bad and start looking down on people who use it. Even though the WTBTS did not exactly say that.
