SHOULD WE READ THE BIBLE ONLINE?
NO - w02 6/15 p. 15 Follow the Royal Pattern [Box on page 15] "In Our Hands"
"If we want . . . a concordance to the Bible, we can find no better medium than the Internet. But if we want to read the Bible, to study it, think about it, reflect upon it, we should have it in our hands, for that is the only way of getting it into our minds and our hearts."—Gertrude Himmelfarb, distinguished professor emeritus, City University, New York.
YES - jl (2012) What Is God's Will?
Learn about us online. Visit the official Web site of Jehovah's Witnesses at www.jw.org. There you can read the Bible online and view or print out many of our publications in over 400 languages.
USING ELECTRONIC TABLETS
RULING THAT THEY CAN'T BE USED ON THE PLATFORM - Nov 8, 2011 BOE letter:
However, at this time, an electronic tablet or other similar device should not be used on the platform, such as for reading the paragraphs at the Watchtower Study, conducting a meeting, or giving a talk of any kind.
In addition to the possibility of a technical problem occurring, it is felt that using an electronic tablet from the platform could prompt others to feel that they too should invest in such a device. Additionally, since many brothers cannot afford such a device, using one prominently from the stage could, in effect, create "class distinctions" or appear to be a "showy display of one's means of life."
THEY CAN BE USED ON THE PLATFORM AND THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY RULES - Oct 12, 2013 BOE letter:
Electronic tablets have become increasingly common in many parts of the world. So the Governing Body has decided that the use of such devices from the platform at our theocratic events should be left to the individual discretion of each program participant. This is not something for which elders would need to establish a rule.
DON'T SELL YOUR KIDNEY TO GET ONE - w13 1/15 p. 17 par. 3 Keep Drawing Close to Jehovah
We can, however, also become obsessed with computer technology. Marketers cleverly convince people that they must have the latest products. One young man so passionately desired a particular tablet computer that he secretly sold one of his kidneys to buy it. What a shortsighted sacrifice!
START PUSHING THEIR USE - g 4/13 p. 16 Get to Our Online Content Quickly!
Beginning with this issue, Awake! will feature QR (quick response) codes. What are they? Special matrix codes that will give you easy access to our Web site. All you need is a tablet that has a camera and Internet access or a smartphone.
DON'T FEEL PRESSURED TO BUY ONE - w2014 8/15 pp3-5:-
"However, you can remain spiritually strong whether you have access to our Web site or not. The slave has worked hard to provide enough printed material to keep each domestic spiritually well-fed. Therefore, you should not feel obligated to buy a device just to access jw.org. Some may make private arrangements to print a limited amount of material published on our Web site and give it personally to those who do not have Internet access, but congregations are not required to do this."
USE ONE ON THE MINISTRY AND AT THE MEETINGS - 2016 May 2-8 Christian Life and Ministry
'APPLY YOURSELF TO THE MINISTRY'
Prepare This Month's Presentations: Discussion. Play each sample presentation
video, and then discuss the highlights. Briefly refer to "Ways to Use JW
Library" when discussing the use of a mobile device. Remind the audience
to report each month the number of times they showed a video in the ministry.
Encourage publishers to build their own presentation.
'LIVING AS CHRISTIANS'
"Are You Using JW Library?": (15 min.) Begin with a five-minute
discussion of the article. Then play and briefly discuss the video. Start Using
"JW Library." Afterward, do the same with the videos "Download
and Manage Publications" and "Customize the Reading Experience".
Encourage all who can to install the JW Library app and download publications
to their mobile device before the part "Ways to Use JW Library" is
discussed during the week of May 16.