Which way will the Society go because of the Internet? (page 2)

I think that the internet is one of the reasons that the numbers are going down in the developed countires. In countries not so sophisticated or among population groups in the developed countries, not many have access to the internet. I've always wondered if there are such discussion boards for ex-JWs in Spanish-speaking countries. That is where the increase is in the US, the Spanish-speaking congregations. If not for that increase, the US would be at 0 or less, a statement from the last CO through our area.

The WTS is greatly concerned with the access to pornography on the internet. Why? Because mostly men (some women but they don't count), are accessing these sites. Then when discovered, they become useless as MS or elders. I know of 2 MS and 1 elder in one congregation alone that stepped down because of this.

The key is information and easy, private access to it. The JWs that will not go to a theater to see an R-rated movie, will rent one, buy one, watch pay for view, or wait for it to come out on cable. Those are the ones that will go out on the Net anonymously to view and read the forbidden. That is because in their minds they are serving men (not God) who cannot see.

Blondie

heather_66350

they will definately keep up the whole the internet is the devil thing, lol. it might already be too late for that though, considering alot of people already have the internet. so they can't go back and change their minds about how we shouldnt even have it to begin with, although i'm sure they wish they could. they'll just have to keep trying to make sure nobody visits any jw sites except theirs. which wont work because people are curious. i think that in countrys were we have access to more information there will start to be a decress in numbers of witnesses, but over in other countrys the numbers will keep going up. they'll keep taking advantage of the less informed.

happy man

INTERNET .

A voice fore the voiceless.

thanks for this media my lord, here i haer closed dooors as I tell on the last meeting when they say we must realy work hard to find peopel, i say, i have no problem they are always at home when i knock, oh they say, where is this??

Internet my freinds, nevver see so many angry faceses why why why, was it not very important to preace, to reach evryone, or hae I missundersatnd something????

Room 215

If the JWs are well trained for anything, it's for making their introductory comments to strangers appealing and perhaps to convince some that their message warrants a second -- or deeper look. Alas for the WTBTS, in these internet-savvy times, that scintilla of interest sparked by a JWs comments at the door all too often leads the interested householder straight to the internet; the fun begins mere secons after he types ``Jehovah's Witnesses" or ``Watchtower" into his favorite search engine.

undercover

that scintilla of interest sparked by a JWs comments at the door all too often leads the interested householder straight to the internet; the fun begins mere secons after he types ``Jehovah's Witnesses" or ``Watchtower" into his favorite search engine.

This will discourage most people from ever pursuing anything with the witnesses, but there will be some that say, "why so much against them?" and then ask a JW personally and then the propoganda from the WTS is used on them. Some will see through it, others will not and be converted. And those will be even harder to reason with because they think having seen "the hatred" themselves on the 'net before becoming a witness, that they know they are right, no matter what.

integ

I personally am not seeing any increase in the witness numbers at the hall...Nobody ever brings anyone new in unless it's an "unbelieving spouse" etc. I went to a meeting the other night and when asked to relate any positive experiences in the field there were only 4 responses. And they were along the lines of "The householder showed SOME interest"etc. Even with those few responses you could tell the people giving the experiences were digging for ANYTHING positive to gleen from countless hours in the ministry. Just thought I'd pass that along.

Thanks,

Integ.

Nosferatu

But as the numbers decrease the Organization will probably say that makes them even more sure they are right because very FEW will be on the straight and narrow road.

...and then they'll fizzle out like a bad fart.

asleif_dufansdottir

Based on my experiences talking to active dubs on Beliefnet...they'll be able to maintain a smaller core of members who keep their conceit that they're right and everybody else is wrong and telling lies about them. People believe what they want to believe. Until they are faced with something they can't dispute (ie- "it can't happen" or "that doesn't happen" happens to them) they'll be able to squeeze their eyes shut and ignore.

earthdreamer

Hi everyone. My name is Earthdreamer. I am an EX,EX,EX JW and have been for several years. Someday I may tell all of my story, when it's the right time.

For now, I just wanted to comment that when I was DF'd in 1982 there was no place like this for me to come. I was reinstated in 1993 - don't ask, at least not right now - there was no place like this for me to come. In about 1990 I went to a Christian Book and Video store. I rented a couple of films on the WTS. I felt really guilty just doing that, and I was already DF'd, an outcast, a piece of dirt, so who was there to care anyway???????

Anyway, here I am now with this place where I can listen and learn. Sometimes join in. Understand that I am not alone in the pain and paranoia that seems to never leave.

Well, of course they think the Internet is the power of the Devil!!!! I say yeah for this site so that maybe some of these young ones will find out what can happen to them and run away before it does! Devil's work my A--, this is the Truth.

Earthdreamer

Which way will the Society go because of the Internet?

xjw_b12

blondie