Not comfortable on Facebook

[LightBound]

Two of my facebook friends are catholic priests-and they aren’t brain dead. Oh-speaking of brain dead-one of my friends is a mortician-she used to be in my reserve unit. So no-there are many intelligent folks on facebook. It is the bad apples that gives a bad name to facebook in general.

Exactly! Many bishops have Facebook accounts and reach out to Catholics via that form of social media. Actually, Timothy Cardinal Dolan has a page…I wouldn’t dare refer to him or any other Bishop or Cardinal as any form of “brain dead”!

 

[BlindManWalking]

Either way, your comment was lacking charity!

To me it seems uncharitable to keep harping on this issue when I was addressing the OP.

Did I name names? Did I call anyone out?

Based on the information I provided, let me rephrase: those not ignorant to Facebook’s issues are brain dead. Those ignorant to the issues are merely comatose.

If you’d like to show me charity, then I suggest starting with ceasing to harp on this issue.

 

[LightBound]

To me it seems uncharitable to keep harping on this issue when I was addressing the OP.

Did I name names? Did I call anyone out?

Based on the information I provided, let me rephrase: those not ignorant to Facebook’s issues are brain dead. Those ignorant to the issues are merely comatose.

If you’d like to show me charity, then I suggest starting with ceasing to harp on this issue.

Zelie can handle this issue.

 

[LetsTalk237]

On the other hand, there’s a lot of stupid stuff like “I’ve got up and brushed my teeth - 20 friends like this”, which is a time thief. Basically got to make sure time is not slipping between your fingers.

That’s exactly why I don’t like getting on Facebook anymore.

Plus, I don’t like it when people start sending out friend requests just because they are a mutual friend of someone else. If you want to be friends with me, talk to me in person before sending me a friend request on Facebook just so you can build up your friend count.

 

[BlindManWalking]

Zelie can handle this issue.

#1- I’m addressing personal accounts. Do I think Cardinal Dolan or any other official person puts out information he wouldn’t say in public or make public? NO. The company I work for has a facebook account. I don’t. I don’t use FB for the reasons provided. I could care less who has one, I just think they’re dumb for doing it in a personal manner. I also think it’s dumb to speed and not wear a seat belt. Is that uncharitable? I think it’s dumb because it exposes people to something that they can prevent which is ultimately bad for them! THAT sounds more like charity to me than not.

You’re gonna tattle on me because of something I didn’t address to anyone in particular, despite reasons given for my opinion? Charity indeed, DOA.

 

[2suffer4souls]

I confess I have been, for years, a skeptic concerning Facebook and similar networking websites, and avoiding it like the plague (I’m on LinkedIn and I love it, though). However, my parents (and some CAFers on a previous thread), aware of my loneliness problems, have recently mentioned that I should join Facebook in order to be more “on the market” (for friendships and possible courtship).

And so I did. However, after five minutes of utilization, and some half an hour of prayer, I’ve decided to immediately cancel my account. Am I the only one to feel tremendously uncomfortable on Facebook? I cannot stand all those women in bikini or indecent dress. No doubt I’m probably weaker in this point than the average guy, but I still wonder how can you stand it.

Anyone with similar feelings/experiences?

I, too, am uncomfortable on FB. I’ve had an account with them off and on since 2005 (yeah when it was closed to college students) and the privacy settings just get worse and worse. However, what I am getting from you is that you are having struggles with purity of mind department because of the not-so-descent images of girls. We have to keep in mind this site is not a networking site with Christian morals. I’m in complete understanding why you, a guy, are uncomfortable on the site. Guys are more likely to sin with there eyes. That’s how they are wired. I admire you for recognizing that and taking a step away from FB. We are called as Christians to not intentionally put ourselves into places of temptation. If you know you are weak there, it’s good for you not to do it. It’s pretty much impossible to steer clear of immodest pictures of girls on there - be it on fan pages or friends or friends of friends. I’m a web designer and my company does ads for their clients on the side bars of FB. One may think that it is an incredible invasion of privacy of what they do to single you out for their ad. “What’s your age? What’s your gender? Where do you live? What are people doing in your area your age your gender? What pages do you like? Where did you go to school? Did you go to school? What’s your job? What kind of money do people tend to make in your job? You make x amount? Ok, you can afford this.” Ok - a little overwhelming right? This and much more is how they target you. Well your a guy, sounds like you may be in your 20s since your looking for courtship, so they may even start putting immodest ads on the sidebar, ads for condoms, etc. I praise you for praying about it. You don’t need to be on Facebook. It’s not for everybody. I actually stopped using it last fall for privacy reasons, wasting time, and other personal reasons. Don’t feel bad for deleting your account.

Pax et Bonum,

kk

 

[exoflare]

You did the right thing.

 

[graceandglory]

I confess I have been, for years, a skeptic concerning Facebook and similar networking websites, and avoiding it like the plague (I’m on LinkedIn and I love it, though). However, my parents (and some CAFers on a previous thread), aware of my loneliness problems, have recently mentioned that I should join Facebook in order to be more “on the market” (for friendships and possible courtship).

And so I did. However, after five minutes of utilization, and some half an hour of prayer, I’ve decided to immediately cancel my account. Am I the only one to feel tremendously uncomfortable on Facebook? I cannot stand all those women in bikini or indecent dress. No doubt I’m probably weaker in this point than the average guy, but I still wonder how can you stand it.

Anyone with similar feelings/experiences?

My facebook is like a personalized Catholic newspaper. I receive my favorite Catholic news articles and bloggers. Most of my friends are my Catholic friends I have connected with over the years and choose to keep up with for regular fellowship. Indecent dress and bikinis never come across in my newsfeed. The ads in the sidebar only come up based on your previous websearches. Mine is so very tweaked with Catholic stores, followed by whatever I’m shopping online for at the time.

 

[Castello]

And Catholics, including here on CAF, also do other things that are objectively stupid.

Facebook data mines. Facebook is ultimately bad.

articles.businessinsider.com/2010-05-03/tech/29974530_1_zuckerberg-open-graph-facebook-s-ceo

rield.com/faq/why-is-facebook-bad

blog.exposedplanet.com/why-sharing-photos-on-facebook-is-bad-for-you/

I gave you 3, shall I give you 7?

Of course they data mine. They are not giving the space to you out of the goodness of their hearts. That does not make it evil. If you do not want your information researched, don’t use “free” services on the internet or discount cards or coupons…

 

[anp1215]

Yeah, I have a few people that post the most mundane things. I ended up taking them off my newsfeed (so I don’t need to hear that they had to go out and buy ferret food ), so know if I want to see what they’re up, I just take a quick look at their homepage.

I’ve done that, then forgotten about the person! hahaha
then it’s like, oh you’re engaged, oops. I knew that.

 

[BlindManWalking]

Of course they data mine. They are not giving the space to you out of the goodness of their hearts. That does not make it evil. If you do not want your information researched, don’t use “free” services on the internet or discount cards or coupons…

They foster a fake reality so that people become comfortable in opening themselves up, providing fodder for future arrest warrants per draconian DHS ability and Executive Powers, etc.

Most people have no idea the level they are compromised on Facebook.

It would be absolutely nothing for a psychotic person to come on here, immediately fi themselves in, ingratiate themselves with a prayer request or two, keep things amiable, general, and vague and then create a fake FB profile. They could then “friend” said a mark who fits the profile of what they’re after: rich? certain ethnicity? single mother? etc.

Their mark might even think they are being very careful and make everything “friends only”; well, your camp is only as secure as who you let into it willingly.

The data mining, content usage, potential for future “evidence” in a kangaroo court, etc…

Why use it?

When is the last time anyone got a dang handwritten letter? How have our perceived social circles become so large? This is a false sense of reality, and it’s ultimately twisted and dangerous.

 

[anp1215]

They foster a fake reality so that people become comfortable in opening themselves up, providing fodder for future arrest warrants per draconian DHS ability and Executive Powers, etc.

Most people have no idea the level they are compromised on Facebook.

It would be absolutely nothing for a psychotic person to come on here, immediately fi themselves in, ingratiate themselves with a prayer request or two, keep things amiable, general, and vague and then create a fake FB profile. They could then “friend” said a mark who fits the profile of what they’re after: rich? certain ethnicity? single mother? etc.

Their mark might even think they are being very careful and make everything “friends only”; well, your camp is only as secure as who you let into it willingly.

The data mining, content usage, potential for future “evidence” in a kangaroo court, etc…

Why use it?

When is the last time anyone got a dang handwritten letter? How have our perceived social circles become so large? This is a false sense of reality, and it’s ultimately twisted and dangerous.

That last part just made me chuckle because I literally just got finished writing a letter. I feel like a geezer!

 

[Smugleaf]

Of course they data mine. They are not giving the space to you out of the goodness of their hearts. That does not make it evil. If you do not want your information researched, don’t use “free” services on the internet or discount cards or coupons…

Absolutely agreed. It is up to you how much or little information you make available. And nothing is free, sadly. Your bank, electricity provider, mobile network provider etc., have tonnes of information about you that they store and use for their databases as well as make available to credit rating services etc.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I mean the suggestions? “Perhaps you know this person” and then appear woman in bikini, with immodest dress, etc.

Oh well.

There is a handy little app for Facebook, that is an add-on for Firefox, it’s called “Facebook Purity.” Now, before you get all excited, it doesn’t remove bikini-clad women from your suggestion box, but there is a lot that you can clean off of your wall. You can tweak FB until it shows almost only what you want to see, and nothing that you don’t. I could set it up for you, if I were there. For all I know, there might even be an app now that will filter your friend requests or suggestions. I am an old fart so no one shows up half undressed in my friends list! LOL And, my networking has to do with pro-life stuff and politics. I also have a family page where my cousins can see nothing of my other stuff.

But it’s up to you, of course, your choice. FB seems as though it’s not going away any time soon, so I use it for my own purposes.

 

[Kenny_Kamel]

However, my parents (and some CAFers on a previous thread), aware of my loneliness problems, have recently mentioned that I should join Facebook in order to be more “on the market” (for friendships and possible courtship).

Facebook will do you NO good if you’re interested in pursuing a relationship/courtship. In fact I would strongly suggest that you’ll be going against the grain if you want to form any true, real friendships. It is very easy to get caught up in another’s atificial life though an artificial medium such as Facebook or really anything else that doesn’t allow you to know them face to face, person to person.

It sucks feeling lonely, it happens to me all the time and I’ve tried to quell these feelings by spending more time on Facebook and the internet in general. It doesn’t work and in fact will only serve to exasperate those feelings. I’d recommend getting out from behind your computer and getting in touch with your Church community first and foremost. Branch out from there and you’ll find what you’re looking for, whether it be friends or a potential spouse.

Frankly the only reason I use Facebook at all is to keep in touch with my friends outside of America. I have friends all over the world from my military days, a lady friend in Finland, a buddy in Sweden, etc. Anyone else can call me and talk to me and I don’t do texting as that is far too impersonal.

 

[Loboto-Me]

Talking about FB friendships, why is it that my facebook is full of people from certain faith denominations? It seems they can all find each other through FB and interact with each other on my wall easily, seemingly without effort on their part.

I mean, I see all kinds of bible passages, with a quick interpretation and they get 38 “likes”. Descriptions of their worship and tons of Praise the Lord type messages. Meanwhile I have only very few Catholic voices on my newsfeed (not counting all the groups I belong to). I’m stumped as to why so many “non denom” or “baptist” and such interact with each other there. Are Catholics just too shy to speak to each other?

How is it they find each other so easily? I must mention that I found most of my “friends” through games I used to play at one time. I’m stumped! I even googled “Finding Catholic Facebook Friends” which brought me to dating services… no thanks LOL!

I still put many quotes out and clean, faithful statuses anyway. I’m lucky to receive 3 likes… and most times none at all. We need to evangelize and support each other.

Ok, that’s all!

 

[Kenny_Kamel]

I mean, I see all kinds of bible passages, with a quick interpretation and they get 38 “likes”. Descriptions of their worship and tons of Praise the Lord type messages. Meanwhile I have only very few Catholic voices on my newsfeed (not counting all the groups I belong to). I’m stumped as to why so many “non denom” or “baptist” and such interact with each other there. Are Catholics just too shy to speak to each other?

I see this quite often as well and just as often as I see it I feel annoyed by it. I’m likely going to sound judgemental and self-righteous but the majority of these people that I know that preach don’t follow suit with their practice. Its as if posting what can be considered as a cliched Christian message on Facebook is their good deed for the day. Hey if 37 people LIKE it on Facebook than I must be making a positive impact as a Christian on their life, right… right???

As a Catholic I’d rather go to daily Mass, volunteer for the Church in my community, help with study groups, etc. These are the forums for celebrating my faith, I need not profess whatever it may be for the sake of simply doing so on the internet. I’d rather get up from my computer and do something.

 

[Luvz2travel]

I confess I have been, for years, a skeptic concerning Facebook and similar networking websites, and avoiding it like the plague (I’m on LinkedIn and I love it, though). However, my parents (and some CAFers on a previous thread), aware of my loneliness problems, have recently mentioned that I should join Facebook in order to be more “on the market” (for friendships and possible courtship).

And so I did. However, after five minutes of utilization, and some half an hour of prayer, I’ve decided to immediately cancel my account. Am I the only one to feel tremendously uncomfortable on Facebook? I cannot stand all those women in bikini or indecent dress. No doubt I’m probably weaker in this point than the average guy, but I still wonder how can you stand it.

Anyone with similar feelings/experiences?

Facebook is whatever you make out of it. If you go down the certain roads like anything else it may lead to sin and how you choose or make your friends also determine what you’ll be exposed to. I use it as light entertainment basically and not much else. I keep in touch will out of town friends and in town friends I just don’t see often. I have friends that are more liberal and post some interesting things or statements. I just hide their pix or comments from view. That’s what’s nice about facebook you can choose what you want and don’t want to see even down to ads. I’ve only ever defriended two people. One guy who wanted to be a stalker and another with that potential. I keep my profile hidden from all but friends and unsearchable. Yes you can find me if you are a friend of friend but if not then why would you want to find me anyway.

 

[PaulGH]

Anyone with similar feelings/experiences?

I don’t like it either. The main positive point I see is being able to look up old friends who I haven’t seen in years. Beyond that, Facebook holds little appeal for me. I too created a Facebook account, and cancelled it within 24 hours of creating it.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Talking about FB friendships, why is it that my facebook is full of people from certain faith denominations? It seems they can all find each other through FB and interact with each other on my wall easily, seemingly without effort on their part.

I mean, I see all kinds of bible passages, with a quick interpretation and they get 38 “likes”. Descriptions of their worship and tons of Praise the Lord type messages. Meanwhile I have only very few Catholic voices on my newsfeed (not counting all the groups I belong to). I’m stumped as to why so many “non denom” or “baptist” and such interact with each other there. Are Catholics just too shy to speak to each other?

How is it they find each other so easily? I must mention that I found most of my “friends” through games I used to play at one time. I’m stumped! I even googled “Finding Catholic Facebook Friends” which brought me to dating services… no thanks LOL!

I still put many quotes out and clean, faithful statuses anyway. I’m lucky to receive 3 likes… and most times none at all. We need to evangelize and support each other.

Ok, that’s all!

Like some pro-life FB pages, like 40 Days for Life, and chat with some folks on those comments. You will get friend requests from other Catholics! I have had some FB friends drop me b/c of my Catholic comments, but even if they aren’t Catholic, most of my FB friends are at least polite. I’d say maybe 1/8 of my friends are Catholic, maybe as many as 1/4.