Interested to know what Facebook users think of Joshua Harris’s Why I Kissed Facebook Goodbye?

Hi David, I’m generally interested in what Josh Harris has to say, and I’vealso recentlly joined Facebook. However, the link wouldn’t work for me. It could be my computer, but can you double check it again for me. Did anyone else have troubles with the link or know of a way to ge to this article?

Cheers

Geoff

David’s link had some extra stray characters (like me on these forums!).

Try this Why I Kissed Facebook Goodbye.

Terry

His point about it encouraging you to think about “me” as opposed to God is a good one.

A good warning. I joined 6 days ago - not that addicted although it’s fun to find out what my friends are doing. It’s a lot less “work” than a forum (like this) - minimal reading required.  Hmmm. How to make it so that when I think “Facebook” I think first “God’s face”?

I agree with Josh Harris completely, and would apply some of what he said to how I use these forums, but ALL of what he said about facebook.

2 things resonated with me.

Firstly, it is incredibly addictive and encourages time wasting. I’ve been on Facebook for a bit over a week now, and I can’t believe how distracted I’ve been.

Secondly, what he said about making him focus on himself. I used to always say a similar thing about MySpace, it’s just people who think they are more interesting than they really are obsessing about themselves (probably a little harsh). What I’ve noticed about most Facebook and MySpace pages amongst my Christians friends, is that they spend more time glorifying themselves than they do God!

OTOH, I’ve been able to catch up with people I haven’t seen in ages, including people I was on the mission field with a few years back, as well as old school friends.

I have to weigh up the pro’s and con’s, especially now that I’ve got a family to think of, and for many people the Internet is a terrible mistree. There’s a chance I’m thinking I’ll follow in the footsteps of Josh Harris over my Facebook page…

What about you David (or others)? What pro’s and con’s have you found on Facebook? and why aren’t we Facebook friends?

Cheers

Geoff

I think Joshua makes some good points, and it is undoubtedly true that Facebook can be addictive and a time-waster, but I’m enjoying contact with school students from about 9 or more years ago. One person sent me a friend request and it is snowballing and it is lovely to hear what my students are doing now.

I am openly presenting my love for Christ on my little space, and praying God will use this for his glory.

And I’m getting to know Syd Ang friends in another way via Facebook. Thanks Craig.

The Scrabulous games have been fun, too.

Lovin’ it. Had some excellent contact with friends in Melbourne. Been humiliated by David McKay at Scrabulous. Caught up with a friend we hadn’t seen for more than five years, as a direct result of going on to Facebook.

It’s going to be incredibly useful and may end up replacing e-mail.

Feel free to add me as a friend, anyone! No reasonable offer refused. ;-)

Our entire church social calender is now being organised by Facebook rather than email. There was no official decision, it just happened naturally, the tool is just so much better.

For the first time in about 100 years, people are RSVPing for events - and meaning it too!

I like Facebook - it’s a great way of socialising without actually having to talk to people ;)

Seriously, I like the fact that it makes it easy to keep in touch with people whom I had otherwise lost contact with. I only check it a couple of times per day, mainly between tasks, so it isn’t a significant distraction from work (I work at home).

I’m not sure I’d agree with the assertion that it focuses one entirely on oneself, though, as I spend most of my time on Facebook learning about other people.

David C Simon - 29 August 2007 04:43 PM

I’m not sure I’d agree with the assertion that it focuses one entirely on oneself, though, as I spend most of my time on Facebook learning about other people.

I think Josh Harris’ point was that it lead him to focus more on himself, and it wasn’t an indictment on other Facebook users.

Different people struggle with different things, and therefore have to work out if Facebook is causing them to sin, neglect certain things or schew their priorities. As I type now I’m meant to be taking the clothes off the line, but I’m more concerned with writing this post, and all those baby wraps and towels are about to get damp as the sun goes down. I best be off now.

Cheers

Geoff

Geoff Chambers - 29 August 2007 04:55 PM

I think Josh Harris’ point was that it lead him to focus more on himself, and it wasn’t an indictment on other Facebook users.

Good point, thanks for that :)

I like Facebook - it’s a great way of socialising without actually having to talk to people ;)

David, that reminds me of Auberon Waugh’s words about email:

Anyone wishing to communicate with Americans should do so by e-mail, which has been specially invented for the purpose, involving neither physical proximity nor speech.

And here’s one for Heather:

If Syd Ang forum is a bit blokey, Facebook is obviously skewed the other way. Massively.

Any theories?

David McKay - 29 August 2007 10:39 PM

And here’s one for Heather:

If Syd Ang forum is a bit blokey, Facebook is obviously skewed the other way. Massively.

Any theories?

Gee, where do I start.

I would suggest that the whole layout of Facebook is extremely user friendly, has graphics that are inviting, and is all about social interactions more than long winded and detailed discussions. It’s chatty.

It took me maybe 5 minutes to learn to use facebook.

I’m still learning how to use the features in this forum.

I would feel intimidated posting up a social kind of thread in this forum - I’m impressed that this thread even exists. Even then I would suggest that the topic of this thread has been approached in an extremely Syd Ang way. It’s pretty funny actually how very Syd Ang the approach has been now I think of it. LOL Sorry, it’s way too hard to explain what I mean by that.

I’m sure I could think of some other reasons but the above is off the cuff.

EDIT: Oh, sorry, I’m not Heather. Should I delete this?

I guess Facebook may appeal to one’s vanity, but when a former student whom you have not seen for 8 years at least sends you a link thanking you for ISCF, it makes you grateful that you were of use to God in some way.

Or when a girl in one of your roll classes gets in touch and you remember when she was extremely distressed when the boy who lived next door violently ended his life, and you remember that she did take your advice to see the school counsellor [and had a change of face and demeanour afterwards], and other such memories.

Hm.

I think nostalgia is what it used to be.

long time reader, first time poster. and it had to be about the topic of facebook! ;)

anyway, i’ve been a user of facebook and have seen it grow enormously. i agree with josh’s thoughts and i do know if those that constantly logon to facebook and waste their time doing so.

on the other hand, i’ve managed to get back in touch with those i went to school with (both primary and high school). i’ve created groups of facebook for both my church, the youth group i lead, conferences such as TWIST etc, and overall its an effective method to communicate and associate yourself with.

I’m also more inclined to focus on other people’s profiles… seeing what they’re up to rather than myself. i guess its a tool to see what the kids in my youth group are up to (no difference to bebo or myspace!)