the internet, does it really matter??

by astra 22 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  astra

  hi, i have been following some of the discussions about the internet and JW. Some people think that it seems to make a big difference, that it will seriously reduce WTS ranks because people get access to all sorts of information and because they can get in contact with people who maybe have the same doubts and thoughts as themselves.

  But how big a difference do you think that the Net is making? How many people do you think have withdrawns from JW because of infomation or contact achieved over the Net?

  The reason why I ask is that I talked to this JW guy yesterday, and he said that the Internet has not changed JW a bit. Is that true, what are your experiences??
• 

  Simon

  I think that may be wishful thinking on his part or else he is the exception to the rule.

  The Internet IS having a big impact - the fact that there are so many warnings about it by the WTS especially in relation to material about them is a testimony to this. Also, the more 'net savvy' a population is then the bigger the drop in JW ranks...
• 

  battman

  IMHO you wwhen you are talking to a "JW" so you must either
  filter in/out what he is saying. Or like most loyal dubs,
  me included, he has never even looked.

  actually I started to look last year when another JW
  suggested I might find a suitable sister on one of the
  JW web sites. LOL. Wow what an eyeopener. I am
  college educated and have a modestely successful
  web site yet I never even considered "making sure
  of all thing" for myself, esp by peeking at info on the
  "apostate" web site. Like what could they possibly offer.

  I was totally intellectually lazy and let the FDS do my
  research and thinking for me.

  Man o man was very lazy (read dumb). Prior to the
  net I tried to look up areas I questioned but could not
  "easily" find anything. The internet is transfroming many
  aspects of our lives and not always for the better but
  now nearly anybody anywhere on earth can get all the
  information they need for free and without fear of being
  observed. I am convinced that there is an ever growing
  % of loyal ones "looking/lurking" but lack the balls to make
  a move or like most people are just too content with the
  status quo.

  Just read the history of humankind. many many, in fact
  most people would rather "stay where they at at" even
  facing immeniet death than "risk" making a change.

  Sad but true

  Battman
  of the not so lazy class no mo
• 

  detective

  Well, here's my experience. I went to the library to get some info on the topic of JWs. Crisis of conscience and most of the other ex-JW books were not held at my local library or held at all in neighboring libraries. However, just log onto the internet and boom!!...whatever you want on the topic is right there. The internet absolutely makes information on JWs more accessible. How many JW sites are out there versus ex-JW sites? By using a basic search engine I come up with several more ex-JW sites than JW sites. I find it hard to believe that this isn't effecting their numbers. I think that fellow is delusional or in plain ol' denial.
• 

  Sarah

  The internet played a big role for me in opening my eyes to some information that I would have not gotten anywhere else. And yes, I have left the org. Certain websites led me to the purchases of several books that I would not have read otherwise.(I never go to bookstores/libraries). So ya, I think it does matter. It helped me!
  Sarah
• 

  BoozeRunner

  I agree with Simon-the WTS wouldnt be issuing so many warnings about the Net if they didnt feel threatened.

  Boozy
• 

  rodnico

  My own personal experience. I had left the organization because of the JW men that I dated. I had no doubt that it was the truth, and I figured that when I found a mate I would eventually return.

  And then I did a search on the Internet. It was not the expose that affected me, it was the personal experiences that I read of people hurt so badly by the WTBTS. And then the false reasonings, teachings, and quotes really got to me. Without the Internet, and the resarch of others who knows what I might have done later on in my life.
  Nicole
• 

  astra

  yes yes i know it is true for people who use these groups that the internet is a powerful eye-opener.

  But maybe it is just us, mayby we are a very small minority of people who actually are affected by the Net. We just think that it is everyone because we chat to each other and we all have this experience.

  But how many people, how large part of the Congregations do you think
  actually use the Net this way and are influenced by it?? Maybe just a few - or what are your experiences?

  astra
  how representative do you think we are of the common witness??
• 

  individuals wife

  Astra - first of all - welcome to the board, good to have you here!

  As for the internet, I think as time goes by it will become more and more evident that the information to be found here will cause more and more JWs to examine their faith, if they dare look...

  Personally I did not really look to the internet for information on the society until I had doubts anyway. I used it to research things that I already felt were not quite correct, once you start looking it is startling what you can find.

  It is interesting to note the decline in publisher/baptism figures for the past year, the figures certainly seem to suggest that in countries where internet access is more readily available there is a downturn. It will be interesting to follow the figures in years to come.

  A loyal JW would be bound to say that the internet has not made a difference, yet the society is clearly worried - this is apparent by the warnings in the magazines and from the platform. I would imagine that the disassociation letters that are being received lately state a lot of facts collated from the internet, the society must be very aware of where the information is coming from.

  The internet may not have caused me to leave the organisation but the information that I have found here since will ensure that I never return.

  Welcome once again!
• 

  battman

  Also the feeling of not being alone is a huge help.
  With the association here one is able to realize
  that you are not alone, you are not crazy, you
  are actually ok, normal and help is available 24x7.

  Pre net if you wanted to leave the "organ." you
  were really very much on your own. Just read all
  the experiences here and be sure to pass along
  all the really "good news" that is just a click away.

  battman