I'm amazed at what some brothers and sisters will believe...

[Sheep]

While I was at work today, a brother in my congregation left an urgent message on my answering service. He wanted me to call him back as soon as possible! Later in the day (not realizing I was at work) he called again and said: "I can't believe you're still asleep!" I didn't hear his messages until I got home. (You see, I don't have a cell phone; only a landline at home.)

 

So what was so important about his urgent call? He said he got a text message from his fleshly sister and brother-in-law about a dangerous virus being spread around in a video named "Dance with the Pope," and that the virus can reformat your mobile! His sister was insisting that he send the warning to everyone he knew! Well, of course, he did just that. But this brother knows that I am a member of an online group of Jehovah's Witnesses (he's not a member here), and that I have contact with perhaps thousands of brothers and sisters, many more than he could ever warn. And he wanted me to spread the warning to all my brothers and sisters online!

 

And of all things, he believes this is real because, after all, it came from his sister. (Okay, his sister is not a spiritual sister, so we can forgive her.) Well, I don't jump on these things that easily after hearing all the warnings in our publications about repeating unverified stories and experiences we've heard. I did some research on it, and, of course, it's a story that's been going around for years. It's a hoax!

 

Snopes

 

Inquisitr

 

ThatsNonsense

 

Why are our own brothers and sisters so willing to believe a story like this? After all the warnings we've had in our publications about clicking so quickly on the Fwd button to resend it to people's inboxes (therefore tying up the Internet), you would think they would know better! I'm amazed! But at the same time, I'm so sad...

 

 

[Tortuga]

Do you mind if I forward this post to about 100,000 people? 

[Hinata]

This is a little bit of different story but more or less on the similar side --- a brother in my congregation once said he does not believe humans went to the Moon. I was quite surprised and didn't know what to say.

 

I was fine as he at least didn't say the Earth was flat. (Because there actually are people who say the Earth is flat, it is no wonder why our publication in so insisting that we don't say that. It would bring a total shame to our name.)

 

Today there are just so many unconfirmed rumours or hoaxes in this sea of information. In the previous days, they were a bit more childish stuff like the "aliens and ufos" and the "flat earth theory." Nowadays, they have become a much more sneaky, like the "big companies will try to steal your personak info," "your phones may get scammed if you click this link."

 

One big example of the recent would be the toilet paper issues with the coronavirus pandemic. People will really believe anything they would see on the internet.

[Sheep]

I heard another good virus story a few years ago. The person who wrote it was not a brother (fortunately), but actually believed what he was writing. He said he just heard about a very dangerous new virus that was making its rounds. Even the anti-virus companies and Microsoft hadn't found an antidote for it. (For explanation, this was before anyone had tablets or laptops, things that run on batteries.) He said this virus was so dangerous it would even keep running when your computer is turned off! It will not only physically harm your hard drive, it will go into your kitchen and drink all your coffee! It will eat so much you'll find an empty refrigerator when you wake up in the morning!

 

 

And he was warning others about this dangerous virus! (Maybe he was new to computers and didn't know any better?)

[Pjdriver]

On 3/23/2020 at 8:50 PM, Sheep said:

 

Why are our own brothers and sisters so willing to believe a story like this?...

 

Because they are people just like billions of others....and some are very naive, and just not that bright. 

[Pjdriver]

On 3/23/2020 at 10:03 PM, Sheep said:

I heard another good virus story a few years ago. The person who wrote it was not a brother (fortunately), but actually believed what he was writing. He said he just heard about a very dangerous new virus that was making its rounds. Even the anti-virus companies and Microsoft hadn't found an antidote for it. (For explanation, this was before anyone had tablets or laptops, things that run on batteries.) He said this virus was so dangerous it would even keep running when your computer is turned off! It will not only physically harm your hard drive, it will go into your kitchen and drink all your coffee! It will eat so much you'll find an empty refrigerator when you wake up in the morning!

 

 

And he was warning others about this dangerous virus! (Maybe he was new to computers and didn't know any better?)

I have a hard time believing the writer was being serious....but there’s something in the air making the whole world crazy. 

[M.J.]

At some point in life, everyone falls for something....it's either not your turn yet, or you've already been played and never even realized it.

[campanula]

There is something in this story that makes me feel somehow curious.... 

 

On 3/24/2020 at 2:50 AM, Sheep said:

(You see, I don't have a cell phone; only a landline at home.)

  I suspect something interesting behind all that or are you just kidding?

 

[Sheep]

6 hours ago, campanula said:

There is something in this story that makes me feel somehow curious.... 

 

  I suspect something interesting behind all that or are you just kidding?

No. That's for real. I am the only person on earth who does not have a cell phone.

[campanula]

Really??? Why?  

No, you must be kidding...

[Sheep]

1 minute ago, campanula said:

Really??? Why?  

No, you must be kidding...

See your PM inbox... in a minute or two.

[campanula]

To stay on topic I have also a story to add.

I know an elderly sister which believes that there is one particular day of the year (19th of January) when  all the waters on Earth get certain antibacterial  quality and if you bring a bottle of that water to your home it will keep that quality during whole the year untill the next same date.

She believes this is one of Jehovah's miracles and Orthodox popes just use this miracle in their behalf..  

 

"There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, 

 Than are dreamt of in your philosophy" 

That's all I can say ....

[Hinata]

5 hours ago, campanula said:

Really??? Why?  

No, you must be kidding...

 

I wish if it was possible, I would absolutely get rid of my cell phone. It is just a stress giver in life.

 

But that's a topic for another day. Lol.