Facebook is not for true Xians

The Watchtower Society's churches often give what they call "local needs talks", which are sermons intended to address naughty behavior going on at the local level. What they really are is indoctrination and control refresher courses.

According to member of an ex-jw forum, there was talk recently "strongly warning all true lovers of Jehovah to delete their Facebook accounts. The talk was solely about Facebook. The speaker mentioned that JWs are associating with people that would not associate with in real life..."

Below I am sharing snippets of her post, punctuated by a description of the unethical influence tactics evident by each part of the sermon. (References: http://www.factnet.org/rancho4.htm; http://www.factnet.org/coercivemindcontrol.html)

"He mentioned that JWs are posting inappropriate pictures of themselves in addition to joining 'Watchtower' groups that are not sponsored by the organization. He repeated several times that the organization does not have a Facebook account nor does it have any approved groups on Facebook. That many of such groups are actually created by apostates with the aim of having one began to doubt their faith. Then he mentioned that all it takes is a crack in your faith and they can take you out of God's organization into Satan's organization. Some use it to get a taste of the world but everything you need to know about the world, good and bad is in the bible, you don't need Facebook for that."

DENIGRATION OF SELF AND CRITICAL THINKING

ACTIVE PROMOTION OF DEPENDENCY

PROHIBIT DISCONFIRMING INFORMATION AND NON SUPPORTING OPINIONS IN GROUP COMMUNICATION

ESTABLISH CONTROL OVER THE PERSON'S SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, TIME AND SOURCES OF SOCIAL SUPPORT BY A SYSTEM OF OFTEN-EXCESSIVE REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS. SOCIAL ISOLATION IS PROMOTED. CONTACT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IS ABRIDGED, AS IS CONTACT WITH PERSONS WHO DO NOT SHARE GROUP-APPROVED ATTITUDES.

"Then he mentioned how many are involved in serious sins but don't realize it because it’s all ‘online’.”

CREATE A SENSE OF POWERLESSNESS

MAKE THE PERSON RE-EVALUATE THE MOST CENTRAL ASPECTS OF HIS OR HER EXPERIENCE OF SELF AND PRIOR CONDUCT IN NEGATIVE WAYS. EFFORTS ARE DESIGNED TO DESTABILIZE AND UNDERMINE THE SUBJECT'S BASIC CONSCIOUSNESS, REALITY AWARENESS, WORLD VIEW, EMOTIONAL CONTROL AND DEFENSE MECHANISMS.

Then he stated very deliberately that Facebook sex is not for true servants of Jehovah. Then went on to explain that in some cases that chatting across Facebook sex groups were not enough for some and that some had went on to arrange secret rendezvous and this was occurring among single, married, young, old and sadly even those in positions of responsibility within the congregation."

INTIMIDATE THE PERSON WITH THE FORCE OF GROUP-SANCTIONED SECULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL THREATS. FOR EXAMPLE, IT MAY BE SUGGESTED OR IMPLIED THAT FAILURE TO ADOPT THE APPROVED ATTITUDE, BELIEF OR CONSEQUENT BEHAVIOR WILL LEAD TO SEVERE PUNISHMENT OR DIRE CONSEQUENCES

"Mentioned how some say they are selective about who they approve to be their Facebook 'friends'. Speaker said no need to be selective if you simply delete your account. Reminded everyone of the need to get and stay close to Jehovah's organization and that you have all the friends you need in the worldwide brotherhood."

MANIPULATION WITH AUTHORITY

ESTABLISH CONTROL OVER THE PERSON'S SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, TIME AND SOURCES OF SOCIAL SUPPORT