Jehovah witnesses about myspace?

Question

Ok. I know myspace is not recommended. I used to have an acocunt and deleted it. I made a new one and my sister doesn't like the fact that I made a new one and told me that I have to understand that worldy associations are bad. I understand that. But I hardly go on there and when I do its not like a serious chat its more like just hi what are you doing kind of thing. Out of all the friends I have, only 3 are witnesses. I don't really see it as a bad thing as long as I don't do anything inappropiate. How then should I go about telling her? Its so hard not to have one because when I deleted it, everyone was telling me to get one again. What should I do,delete it? I know its my decision but please give me advice on this thank you!!

I have been studying with Jehovah witnesses for a year now and bsrely started going out in the field. Thats why I wanted their advice but anyone is welcomed to answer. Thats is also how I knew about worldy associations.

I would like advice on the myspace problem, not whether you like the religion or not . Either way, I love Jhovah with all my heart and want to dedicate myself to him soon.Thank you.

Answer 1

You are in a place I once was. I had the hardest time giving up my worldly associations & activities. Here's what happened; I married a very intelligent young lady who was raised a Jehovah's Witness. She remained such after we were married, to my disappointment. Over the course of our marriage we had a couple of kids. I began studying, eventually becoming a publisher and joining the ministry school. But getting baptized took a long time. I was a publisher for about 4 years before I got baptized. Why? Because I knew I wasn't ready to let go of my worldly friends. Meanwhile, my wife, whom everyone always said was so spiritual and gave the most thought- provoking comments at the meetings, was getting more involved with her job. Soon she was traveling several times a year for 3 or 4 days at a time. I would go to bed late at night and lie there listening to her keyboard going almost constantly. I felt bad for her, having to stay up all night working. I finally got baptized and thought that Jehovah's blessing will finally be on our entire family in full! It was a joyous time for the whole family! Well, two years later my wife and I were divorced, she is disfellowshipped (to this day), and my kids are broken- hearted. Why? Because as I was cutting off my worldly associations, my (ex) wife was forming new ones at work. All those late nights "working" was actually her chatting online with co- workers whom she was having affairs with! Turns out she had been with at least 4 different guys during the last several years of our marriage. How could this happen to a "spiritual person who gives thought- provoking comments at meetings"? WORLDLY ASSOCIATION! I knew some of her co- workers and found out many details of her affairs. One of them told me that she overheard someone telling my (ex) wife that "...cheating is a part of marriage..." Would she have been exposed to such thinking had she not gotten to be close friends with her co- workers?
Granted, it is a conscience matter as to whether or not to have a MySpace page, but let me tell you something our last circuit overseer said in a talk. He said, "When it comes to conscience matters, are you the type of person who errs on the side of caution, or do you rationalize that 'if it's a conscience matter that means I can get away with it'?" In other words, why walk on the fringes of Jehovah's principles when you don't have to? Why push the issue when it places you so dangerously close to disobedience and temptation? The bible isn't a list of every rule that Jehovah wants us t live by, but it does contain principles to live by, one of which is to cut off worldly associations because they WILL affect your spirituality and way of thinking! Be careful not to rationalize that chatting with folks on MySpace isn't "really" associating with them! It's no different than talking on the phone or sitting across the table from someone and talking, right? And another thing- you were at one time certain that deleting your account was th e right thing to do, but what made you create a new one? PEER PRESSURE from the worldly people you met! Jehovah tells us to hate what is bad. Jesus said that whoever is not with me is against me. See the bigger picture here? Pray about it and talk to an elder or an older pioneer sister. They can help you more than anyone here can! Wouldn't it be nice to be able to tell your sister you're DONE with MySpace? =)

Answer 2

Well firstly, you are right it is Your decision. I personally do have a Myspace page. Do I hide this fact? No.

The key factor is Discernment. It is the same thing as when we use Y!A or Y!A or Y!360 or go to work or do most anything.

As for telling her, I am assuming you mean telling her you have a page. Consider, does she need to know. If you are of age, and not under her support/authority, then I don't see why she needs to be told. If she asks you can tell her you don't want to talk about it, and move on. Certainly you do not wish to lie. If you feel guilty not telling her, then you need to weigh that guilt against the results of telling her, which ever looks like the better path go with it.

Another part of the equation of course is how it affects others. We should never work towards discouraging others. If others knowing you have this page, or seeing what is on it, will cause problems that is something to consider.

There often is allot of uncensored content on the net, myspace seems well known for it at the moment. You need to decide how you feel about this. It is VERY true that Bad associations spoil usefull habits. This is something you need to think long and hard about. Also, consider whether it is worse now having it, then it will be/feel not having it.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Hi! Well, to start, I'm a Jehovah's Witness too. So I know what you mean. I used to have a myspace account too. But then when you think about it, what is myspace for? It's for meeting and making new friends. To be honest, I think that having a myspace account is just something to make life a little more difficult. As a Witness, you know that we already have a lot of pressure with associations and stuff. So why would you wanna make it harder on yourself? And besides you say that the only people that are your friends are 3 witnesses, but don't you think it will be tempting when other people start to ask you to be friends? Cause you know they will. The fact that you're asking for advice about this issue shows that something is bothering your conscience, so what does that tell you? BELIEVE ME , I'VE BEEN THERE AND I'VE DONE THAT! bye sweetie

Answer 4

You have received some very good advice from other Witnesses. I can only confirm what they are saying. Remember the Scripture at

1 John 2:15-17: "Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 16 because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. 17 Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever."

Also...
1 Corinthians 15:33: "Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits."

Remember this also, we studied it today at the meeting...

Psalm 34: 8 & 9: "Taste and see that Jehovah is good, O YOU people; Happy is the able-bodied man that takes refuge in him. 9 Fear Jehovah, YOU holy ones of his,
For there is no lack to those fearing him."

Then it went on to say: "because they have a good relationship with God, all who fear Jehovah lack nothing of LASTING value"!

So by doing what are conscience impels us to do(or not to do) now, will help us to form that kind of relationship with Jehovah also, and that will give us the strength to let go of the more worldly things. Those things may seem like a sacrifice now, but in the end, they cannot give us life, only Jehovah can!
But they can lead us away from Jehovah and that will definitely lead to death. That is nothing that I would want for myself!

Remember one more Scripture:
1 Peter 5:6-10: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt YOU in due time; 7 while YOU throw all YOUR anxiety upon him, because he cares for YOU. 8 Keep YOUR senses, be watchful. YOUR adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour [someone]. 9 But take YOUR stand against him, solid in the faith, knowing that the same things in the way of sufferings are being accomplished in the entire association of YOUR brothers in the world. 10 But, after YOU have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called YOU to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish YOUR training, he will make YOU firm, he will make YOU strong."

Pray to Jehovah and he will make you path straight!

James 4:8: " Draw close to God, and he will draw close to YOU. Cleanse YOUR hands, YOU sinners, and purify YOUR hearts, YOU indecisive ones."

We can't sit on the fence, we have to make a clear decision. We must show that we are truly on God's side. You will do the right thing! The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom!!!

Answer 5

Hi,firstly you need to be careful even on this site as not all who answer you will be Witnesses.
You must learn to keep in mind that Satan is very sneaky and just waits for an opportunity to pounce on our weaknesses.
He is smarter than we are and knows us better than we know ourselves.His attacks on our spirituality can go unnoticed by us,because of his slyness,until it is too late some times.
If you are planning to devote your life to Jehovah,then you must learn to make sacrifices for Jehovah now,before you get baptized.You cannot continue having worldly friends and doing worldly things and think it wont affect you.Jehovah doesnt warn us against keeping friendship with world for no good reason.He is our Creator.Only He knows what is best for us.When we (witnesses)are warned against bad association we need to take heed of that advice because it is coming from God.We have had many articles on association.Ask your study conducter if she could supply you with some reading material.Have you spoken to your study conductor about your desire to set up another 'myspace'?Your sister doesnt like the fact because she is concerned about your welfare.Personally,I think it to be a waste of time.If you have time on your hands,why not do personal study,research what Jehovah has to say on bad association,how to recognise good association.Using your time to strengthen your faith and spirituality are definitely the better options to take,then to waste your time on one of Satan's snares.

Answer 6

all I can do is tell you that there are *many* people on the internet who are pretending to be something they arent.

no one can trust a single person they meet on the internet.

do not trust anything anyone ever tells you on the internet!

if you know someone in person and send email and/or IM back and forth that is one thing, but if you actually *met* them on the internet then they are *not* to be trusted!

there are too many demonic people using the internet and they disguise themselves amazingly in sheeps clothing

BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL!!!
DO NOT TRUST ANYONE ON THE INTERNET!!!
NOT EVEN ME!!!

Answer 7

This isn't the best place to search for advices. You could talk to an elder from your congregation. You could also read the articles about Internet which appeared in Awake!


For more information go to:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2004/12/8a/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20050522a/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20050822/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20050922/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2000/6/8/article_02.htm

Answer 8

well.........this is not myspace but being on here (YA) is jsut as bad as being on myspace.....if not worse...you have the possibility of apostates and all sorts of negative influence.............. but, you alwso have some ppl that are genuine..if you are not strong in faith you could be taken aback here........I like read all the ridiculous comments but i could never be affected by ya soooooooo........i had a myspace page too.......i deleted it

Answer 9

Actually, myspace could be a great place to witness to people that may not get to hear what you are witnessing. I myself see nothing wrong with it, but I am not a follower of Jehovah Witness, soi do not nderstand your rules.

Answer 10

The Jehovah's Witnesses are one of my least favorite religious groups in the world. They start from a literalism misreading of the Jewish Bible, and go on from there to create a religion that's eager to make its own followers as miserable as possible. Life is meant to be enjoyed and cherished, not spent in eternal sufferring and fear of Hell. I lived in Brooklyn not one mile away from the Watchtower. I got visits almost every Saturday. You sound like a nice young person who wants to live a decent, full life. Go find yourself a new faith.