Local needs - Choose Your Apps Wisely

[Sackedbysapp]

After the local needs on apps and websites, what will happen here?

Edited March 27, 2020 by Shawnster
Clarified title

[New World Explorer]

19 minutes ago, Sackedbysapp said:

After the local needs on apps and websites, what will happen here?

What do you expect to happen? Any points, concerns that you would like to share with us? 

[Sackedbysapp]

Nope, just know what I  heard. Doesn’t bother my conscience, just wondering how others feel.

[Tortuga]

29 minutes ago, Sackedbysapp said:

After the local needs on apps and websites, what will happen here?

I enjoyed the Whiteboard video that we had several years ago about the dangers of Social Networking. It gave a clear warning about social media and I'm sure that some people decided to stop using social media after seeing that video, while others paid attention to the warning and continued to use social media. I'm sure the same thing will happen here.

[New World Explorer]

8 minutes ago, Sackedbysapp said:

Nope, just know what I  heard. Doesn’t bother my conscience, just wondering how others feel.

This forum is well monitored, no reason for concern...but if you notice something, please immediately report it to moderators. 

Just enjoy additional spiritual upbuilding and encouragement you receive her. 

[Sackedbysapp]

Haven’t noticed anything.

[carlos]

Some friends have understood that video as saying we should not use any JW apps or websites that are not from the Organization. But what the video actually said is "Be cautious when using them". No app and no website should be our source of spiritual food other than the Slave's.

 

This site doesn't try to be a source of spiritual food. It's just a place for Witnesses to meet other Witnesses and have nice discussions. The moderators work hard to keep the site clean from any bad influences. But of course we should always be cautious, don't believe everything we read (even if it comes from a fellow JW) and reject (and report!) anything that sounds apostate.

[Shawnster]

First and foremost, we want our members to always follow their Bible-trained conscience.  If their conscience moves them to either discontinue their membership here or not join such a website, that is their decision and we commend them for keeping their relationship with Jehovah safe.  

 

We feel we are complying with the direction the Faithful Slave has given us and our consciences permit us to continue to maintain and use this social media discussion board.  

 

This website is not now, nor ever been, a replacement for the official channel of Jesus feeding his sheep by means of the congregation.  This group should never be viewed as a acceptable substitute for attending congregation meetings and associating with the members of your local congregation.  We are a social media group.  We view our association here as if we were at a social gathering of Jehovah's people.  Those gatherings are also never viewed as a substitute for association at and within the congregation.

 

Over the years we have repeatedly reminded our members that the Slave has given us sound direction and left the final decision up to us as individuals.  The reality is there are no social media websites approved by the Faithful Slave.  None.  All social media groups such as Witness groups on Facebook, Instagram, or elsewhere are also not endorsed or recommended by the Faithful Slave.  You will never see a Facebook or Instagram Witness group referenced in the Watchtower publications.

 

We strive to keep this website a place of safe and wholesome association.  Occasionally a troublemaker will slip through but we are quick to remove such individuals when they become identified.  While you don't really know any of us, we hope that our conversations will reveal our personalities and help you come to know us as friends and family.  Granted, it is easy to hide one's identity online and you may never really know someone you've never met face to face, but we work to do our best to reveal our true nature.  We have a very strong and talented group of spiritually mature brothers and sisters overseeing the association of this large party.

 

The private information we ask of our members is the same that they would put on their lapel badge for the convention.  We do not ask for exact address nor phone number.  We are vigilant to make sure nobody is on here preying on our members and attempting to fleece the flock and violate your privacy.  If anyone or anything on here ever makes you uncomfortable, please notify a moderator.  Each post has a link to "report" the post for any inappropriate behavior.   We are a global staff and there most likely is always a moderator online.

 

We have discussed this matter on other occasions, here are links to some of those:

 

https://jwtalk.net/topic/40329-social-media-facebook-groups-for-jw/

https://jwtalk.net/topic/34474-please-be-careful-on-youtube-so-many-apostates/

https://jwtalk.net/topic/4135-using-the-internet-socially-warning/

 

We love you all and pray for your continued well-being.  Again, we understand if circumstances require ones to resign their membership.  We hold no ill-will toward anyone who makes the choice to voluntarily leave our community.

 

 

[Brother_Bliss]

2 hours ago, Sackedbysapp said:

what will happen here?

We'll keep operating as we have since the autumn of 2006. The content of the video 'Choose your apps wisely' on the local needs part was absolutely fantastic, and we wholeheartedly agree that our brothers and sisters should be cautious about using any app or website that is not sponsored by the Faithful and Discreet Slave. We make it very clear that we are not endorsed by the Faithful Slave at the bottom of every page and as part of the registration process, we ask you to review previously published material regarding the dangers of social networking and in particular joining sites that cater to Jehovah's Witnesses. If they publish this video on JW.org, we will add it to the material that we want applicants to review before joining our community.

 

The video did not say "do not use at all" but rather "be cautious about using" unofficial apps and websites. It's good admonishment in this day and age. The organization is reasonable, and is not going to dictate what you can and cannot do, but at the same time will make it abundantly clear how much they care about you and your spiritual well-being.

 

We have a wonderful Staff that works diligently to keep the forum clean of any harmful ideas or apostate propaganda. Remember that you too can assist by click the "Report" link on any comment that may be a cause of concern. Feel free to express your concerns in the Confidential Talk with the Moderators forum at the bottom of the index page. We listen to all such concerns and appreciate it immensely when others are willing to be helpful in this manner.

[boodles]

I remember when a few years ago a sister was first learning to use her tablet, and she typed jw.org in the search bar instead of the address bar, and she didn't realize what she was getting, well, she would have but I explained before she opened anything. Unofficial websites and apps can look official so we have to be careful. 

 

That being said, I did a quick app store search to see what apps we have and the app JW Event is listed, by Jehovah's Witnesses. I looked on the bottom of our jw.org website and I don't see it there. So how could I know if it's official? I don't recall any governing body members mentioning it. My guess is that if I were invited to an international convention I would be informed about the app through a letter, if it is one of our apps.

[Miss Bea]

We need to be cautious about all our association. We can be exposed to all sorts of whatever, on line, or in person. It is up to us. And, our bible trained conscious. 
Thing is, there are not any movies, music, entertainment, books, none sanctioned by Jehovah’s organization. Does that mean, no books, music, movies, or entertainment for us at any level? 
No, it means, use that bible grained conscious. There are none of us who think this site is integrated with Jehovah’s website.

On a personal level, I shall be more discreet in mentioning this wonderful site to others. It’s one thing to discuss it here, but, for those not associated  with this website...strange, I know. 
In the meantime, on to check to what you all are up too...💐

[My little flower]

I will continue being here.am sure in the new with a perfect mind will perfect Jwtalk.

[Dustparticle]

 I think some go over board what the Slave says. There are brothers and sisters have their own Web Sites, plus the internet has many good sites, on many thing on Jehovah Creation, how to fix things, and learning the basics. Let us all be balance what the Slave says. I love this site and I see no rebels on here, but me.😀

[halfspanishlee]

That local needs was brilliant I was so close to joining an app called jw chat it's new and on zoom last night a young brother mentioned it this wasn't just a reminder it was also a warning from jehovah cause we are so so so close now and he loves us😀

Edited March 27, 2020 by halfspanishlee

[Tortuga]

I appreciate the brothers giving us reminders on a regular basis. In April 2018 there was a QFR that gave us some of the same information that the recent video presented. 

 

In the QFR we were reminded not to post or download publications from sites other than JW.org. We appreciate that the members here know that we do not allow publication or full articles to be posted on the site. Everyone is very cooperative in posting just small excerpts and links to the articles.

 

There was another reminder in the QFR:

Some brothers have been drawn into online debates and thus have brought added reproach on Jehovah’s name. An online forum is not an appropriate setting for “instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed.” (2 Tim. 2:23-25)

 

We appreciate that everyone maintains a calm and refreshing spirit on this site as we enjoy our association with each other and heed the regular reminders from the FDS.

Edited March 27, 2020 by Bro Richard

[carlos]

10 hours ago, boodles said:

That being said, I did a quick app store search to see what apps we have and the app JW Event is listed, by Jehovah's Witnesses. I looked on the bottom of our jw.org website and I don't see it there. So how could I know if it's official? I don't recall any governing body members mentioning it. My guess is that if I were invited to an international convention I would be informed about the app through a letter, if it is one of our apps.

Loraine, JW Event is indeed an application produced by the organization. When we submitted our applications to serve as volunteers in the international convention in Madrid last year, we were instructed to download that app so that we could keep track of our assignments. But of course  that app is of no use unless you are a delegate or a volunteer to an international convention. I guess that's why it's not advertized.

Edited March 27, 2020 by carlos

[Qapla]

Sometimes people hear information and still miss the point ...

 

The part on apps was a warning that the ONLY place to d/l publications should be from jw.org because we cannot be sure ones from any other source have not been altered ... and ... that we are not supposed to send publications electronically to others because, if we do, it could violate the copyright - instead, we should direct others where to d/l the publications from jw.org themselves. The part about the copyright is not because they don't want us to share the Truth - it is to preserve the copyright protection under law.

 

This part did NoT say we are NOT to use any apps other than the ones provided by the Organization.

 

If the part had been saying that we should not use ANY other websites or app, they would not have encouraged us to meet by means of Zoom or mentioned keeping in touch with each other with apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype and others that were mentioned in our Hall during this part.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 27, 2020 by Qapla
To get rid of the duplication in the post .... not sure what caused that

[AndersonPerez]

15 hours ago, boodles said:

That being said, I did a quick app store search to see what apps we have and the app JW Event is listed, by Jehovah's Witnesses. I looked on the bottom of our jw.org website and I don't see it there. So how could I know if it's official?

In Play Store (Android) or App Store you can know who is the creator of the application.
By clicking on the name of the creator, all the applications that belong to it appear.

 

Search: pub:Jehovah's Witnesses

[Hugh O'D]

21 hours ago, Dismal_Bliss said:

The video did not say "do not use at all" but rather "be cautious about using" unofficial apps and websites. It's good admonishment in this day and age.

Our MWM was group based making it easier to see who was commenting. Once the video was over it turned into an attack on all apps and websites not directly from the Society. Another brother who I know has been on a JW dating site kept very quiet*, I did too because I'm not comfortable commenting without preparation (my posts are weighty and forceful but my presence in person is weak etc 😉 jk.).

 

If other's choose to take it to mean avoid all non organization websites or apps ... Well their tablets and phones wouldn't work anymore for one thing. I've wandered through enemy websites, and had to warn my wife that she'd entered one once, the only way to fully avoid them is either stay off the net or lock your browser to jw.org only ... But then how would you get tutorials on how to use Zoom?

 

We need to be cautious of enemy propaganda even in the Kingdom Hall, ( One faithful Brother has been sending me a stream of news reports that have him convinced we're next getting either famine or the tribulation, he might be right, he might be wrong),; Jehovah expects us to use our discernment and stick to the Slave.

 

So I'll keep coming here, anything surprising here I'll double check elsewhere before believing it, one thread I won't follow but most threads I've no time to follow. I'm convinced that those I've talked to are as much faithful servants of Jehovah as those in my Kingdom Hall (and I hope you are of me too) but there's only one Faithful and Discreet Slave.

 

*P.s. I'm neither condemning nor condoning that Brother being on a JW dating site, I don't know it, just it told me why he was being so quiet on that item.

Edited March 28, 2020 by Hugh O'D
Editor acted up

[Tortuga]

19 minutes ago, Hugh O'D said:

If other's choose to take it to mean avoid all non organization websites or apps

That would be difficult for the brothers that use Ministry Assistant, Territory Helper or any meeting scheduling programs or apps...

[Tortuga]

I know that many friends find this site so useful and encouraging. Some of the discussions here have really affected my personal study. I've had the opportunity to get to know friends around the world and have upbuilding theocratic discussions. I'm glad I found it. 

[Luigi62]

3 hours ago, Bro Richard said:

 I'm glad I found it. 

me too.

[trottigy]

Me too.  

 

I will admit, I am cautious who I recommend the site to. I wouldn’t want to stumble someone, but I know it can be a very encouraging site for JWs.

[Amygdala]

So long as the Admins and Moderators are doing their due diligence against apostates from creeping into this site, and until we come under the GT and Russian-like surveillance (though I know "big brothers" is already out there), I don't mind having my IP on here and reading from you encouraging friends. Props to all the staff for all their hard work.

 

But I am trying to be careful about how much time I do spend on here.

[Tortuga]

1 minute ago, Lieblingskind said:

So long as the Admins and Moderators are doing their due diligence against apostates from creeping into this site,

There are 13 moderators spread around the planet so there is 1 or more here all the time. Some of us more than others...🤣