A Facebook Group?

DistantStar · 03-27-2018, 08:29 AM

When I first had some questions on the Local Church I decided to google it, but I didn't come across any discussions on them, at least not active sites. At best I came across that open letter, and GotQuestions's article on them.

Only the second time did I discover this forum, and that was by specifically googling for posts made recently.

I haven't been so active lately, but an idea came to mind as I browsed through Facebook: Why not create a Facebook group? At least one which refers to discussions over here? Or even just a page posting interesting discussions taking place on the forum? I saw some "Local Church" groups, but they seem to be made only for those actually in the LC.

Don't get me wrong. A forum is better. It is structured, with dedicated members, and detailed discussions.

I merely think that Facebook can help to reach more people.

UntoHim · 03-27-2018, 08:38 AM

Actually a Facebook page was set up a number of years ago. At some point it was taken down by the Facebook people. No real reason was given and I assumed it was Local Church/LSM/DCP people who complained and got it taken down. At some point I got it reinstated, only to have it taken down again. I simply gave up.
-

Ohio · 03-27-2018, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Actually a Facebook page was set up a number of years ago. At some point it was taken down by the Facebook people. No real reason was given and I assumed it was Local Church/LSM/DCP people who complained and got it taken down. At some point I got it reinstated, only to have it taken down again. I simply gave up.
-

Some are predicting the demise of FaceBook over these recent allegations.

kumbaya · 03-27-2018, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio

Some are predicting the demise of FaceBook over these recent allegations.

Really? I just don't understand how it could be taken down- don't we live in a society with free speech? I'm not surprised that FB is monitoring people-don't love that. However, it's still a popular way to connect and an open page showing a link to the forum would reach a lot of people. I'm for it!

awareness · 03-27-2018, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumbaya

Really? I just don't understand how it could be taken down- don't we live in a society with free speech? I'm not surprised that FB is monitoring people-don't love that. However, it's still a popular way to connect and an open page showing a link to the forum would reach a lot of people. I'm for it!

The devil is in the details ... mefears ....

Koinonia · 03-27-2018, 03:34 PM

I've often thought there needs to be a Facebook group for open discussion among "Ex-Members of the Local Church of Witness Lee" (or something like that). Many other similar-type groups have Facebooks groups that are very active. Especially for younger members, there is so much stigma related to leaving the LC. I know people who have not been involved for years, but are still too scared to admit that they are "not meeting." It is very healthy to be able to see a community of people of all ages and all persuasions openly processing their experience with the LC.

I believe it would be worthwhile for someone (not me) to create such a group and to encourage others to invite their ex-LC contacts to join. There are thousands out there.

Nell · 03-27-2018, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumbaya

Really? I just don't understand how it could be taken down- don't we live in a society with free speech? I'm not surprised that FB is monitoring people-don't love that. However, it's still a popular way to connect and an open page showing a link to the forum would reach a lot of people. I'm for it!

It's not about free speech.

Facebook being sued over data mining

"Facebook is facing a backlash on two continents from users, advertisers and lawmakers for having allowed Cambridge Analytica to allegedly amass information on 50 million of its users.

The company’s core business that powers around $4 billion in monthly revenue is monetizing everything you do on Facebook to serve its advertisers. However, users may not know that the powerful social network already has an opinion about your political leanings — and it’s fairly easy to find out what Mark Zuckerberg’s company thinks of your political preferences.

Hidden in plain sight under Ad Preferences is a section called Your Information. If you click on that tab, you’ll see an option for Your Categories, which contains a section called US Politics — in parentheses, Facebook will have you labeled as Very Liberal, Liberal, Moderate, Conservative or Very Conservative.

The social network says it fills up these categories “based on information you've provided on Facebook and other activity.” "

Check your Facebook account. I have never had a Facebook account so I can't verify.

It's all over the news...Fox News anyway. Google it. No one is saying anything about freedom of speech.

Nell

kumbaya · 03-28-2018, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nell

It's not about free speech.

Facebook being sued over data mining

"Facebook is facing a backlash on two continents from users, advertisers and lawmakers for having allowed Cambridge Analytica to allegedly amass information on 50 million of its users.

The company’s core business that powers around $4 billion in monthly revenue is monetizing everything you do on Facebook to serve its advertisers. However, users may not know that the powerful social network already has an opinion about your political leanings — and it’s fairly easy to find out what Mark Zuckerberg’s company thinks of your political preferences.

Hidden in plain sight under Ad Preferences is a section called Your Information. If you click on that tab, you’ll see an option for Your Categories, which contains a section called US Politics — in parentheses, Facebook will have you labeled as Very Liberal, Liberal, Moderate, Conservative or Very Conservative.

The social network says it fills up these categories “based on information you've provided on Facebook and other activity.” "

Check your Facebook account. I have never had a Facebook account so I can't verify.

It's all over the news...Fox News anyway. Google it. No one is saying anything about freedom of speech.

Nell

Thanks for clarifying! I think I responded to the wrong post- This is definitely alarming. But there was a previous post about a fb page that had been taken down due to complaints.

Ohio · 03-28-2018, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumbaya

Really? I just don't understand how it could be taken down- don't we live in a society with free speech? I'm not surprised that FB is monitoring people-don't love that. However, it's still a popular way to connect and an open page showing a link to the forum would reach a lot of people. I'm for it!

Kumbaya, it's not free speech, it's theft.

They stole everything off of your phone and computer, sold it to others, and made lots of money.

Drake · 03-28-2018, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio

Kumbaya, it's not free speech, it's theft.

They stole everything off of your phone and computer, sold it to others, and made lots of money.

I disagree with Brother Ohio about many matters... but this is not one of them.

I stopped using FB when I started noticing that certain sites offer to log in with your FB account... it occurred to me "now why in the world would I want to do that?". I tried it once and then pop-ups and spam started... and putting two and two together I figured the FB was sharing my information with companies that had something to sell. Ok, I did sign the disclosure agreement. But then I started noticing that I was getting pop ups and ads populating my web searches for items that I did not do a search but for things I may have had interest in..... got too creepy for me... so I stopped using them.

Drake

awareness · 03-27-2018, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Actually a Facebook page was set up a number of years ago. At some point it was taken down by the Facebook people. No real reason was given and I assumed it was Local Church/LSM/DCP people who complained and got it taken down. At some point I got it reinstated, only to have it taken down again. I simply gave up.
-

This reminds me of joining a local church yahoo group. I was basically a lurker for 6 months. Then I got tired of all the quoting of Life Studies and asked if it was run by an algorithm.

Then real members came out of the woodwork and I engaged them. When I revealed I was an ex-LC member, with a long post about my experience, I got the boot.

So I wrote my good old friend Ron Kangas, who wrote back and said he'd do what he could. Then I was contacted by a moderator who told me he'd leave too if he went thru what I went thru, and put me back on.

Then the other moderator kicked me off again. And the good moderator put me back on, only to have the other one kick me off again. And Kangas said he couldn't do anything about it.

I joined the group to see if the LC had changed. Clearly it hadn't, and hasn't.

And yesterday, when I found out Facebook has been logging cell phone calls and texts, that have nothing to do with Facebook, I deleted my account.

So now I only have Untohim to give a hard time. He's booted me a couple of times too. And I can't turn to Kangas for help. Woe woe is me. Back to Alternative Views, the Tartarus of LCD.

Ohio · 03-27-2018, 11:01 AM

Your story was heartbreaking, so I thought I'd post this card ...

awareness · 03-27-2018, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio

Your story was heartbreaking, so I thought I'd post this card ...

You're a preach bro Ohio.

OGOP · 03-27-2018, 07:13 PM

Like everybody has said, I think this is a great idea and the only problems will be 1) anonymity and 2) LSM shutting us down by appealing to Facebook.

To combat these two problems I think is simple.

1) Fake/Throwaway FB accounts for people who cant post under their real name for whatever the circumstance. For those who are completely removed from the church life it would be highly encouraged to use your real name so there is at least some activity from clearly real accounts. We would have to add a disclaimer in the group description explaining why people have accounts not in their name for their own protection for fear of retribution, etc.

2) Make the group center around the idea of a support group/info page to redirect people here. That would be our best bet to avoid complaints from LSM to get us banned on FB. I mean, could FB really ban an "ex-member support page"?

-I think this is a really good idea DistantStar

OGOP · 03-30-2018, 06:30 PM

Okay, so who is going to be the one to create? If you do please post the link. We can DM and I would want to be an admin

kumbaya · 03-30-2018, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OGOP

Okay, so who is going to be the one to create? If you do please post the link. We can DM and I would want to be an admin

I think it needs to be someone who has experience with social media/forums. Also, someone who can make the time commitment and has “maturity in life” (ha! Can you tell I was raised in the local church?)

Koinonia · 03-31-2018, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumbaya

I think it needs to be someone who has experience with social media/forums. Also, someone who can make the time commitment and has “maturity in life” (ha! Can you tell I was raised in the local church?)

Probably best to have a few people as moderators/administrators, with the understanding that heavy moderation is not necessary. For the most part, let people connect, let people discuss their views, reminisce, ask questions freely. I think if someone initiates this, there can be a critical mass of former members very quickly, and it will help many others in the process of breaking free.

LifeGoesOn · 04-02-2018, 07:33 AM

I’d like to see this happen as well. It would be a yuge help blessing, just like this sure, but able to reach more people.

ETA: My wife said there should be a link to this forum for those who don’t feel comfortable posting on FB.

OGOP · 04-02-2018, 08:42 PM

The group has been created. I will post the link in this thread shortly, but first I need some accounts to add as members/admin before FB will let me go public.
Please Private Message me your account name on FB so I can add you all

Looking forward to it!

OGOP

04-03-2018, 04:52 PM

There is a group set up called Former Members of the Local Church (Witness Lee): https://www.facebook.com/groups/764718357071498/

Best to make sure there are not duplicate groups.

kumbaya · 04-04-2018, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OGOP

The group has been created. I will post the link in this thread shortly, but first I need some accounts to add as members/admin before FB will let me go public.
Please Private Message me your account name on FB so I can add you all

Looking forward to it!

OGOP

woo hoo! Great idea, lots of connections made already

Ohio · 04-05-2018, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumbaya

woo hoo! Great idea, lots of connections made already

Any way to see it without logging in?

DistantStar · 04-05-2018, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio

Any way to see it without logging in?

I don't think so. It seems making it a closed group prevents non-Facebook users from viewing it.

awareness · 04-05-2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio

Any way to see it without logging in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DistantStar

I don't think so. It seems making it a closed group prevents non-Facebook users from viewing it.

Darn! Right after I deleted my FB account.

OGOP · 04-03-2018, 06:40 PM

Here is a link to the "closed" group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/764718357071498/

34 members so far.

03-27-2018, 08:29 AM	#1
DistantStar Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: South Africa Posts: 127	A Facebook Group? When I first had some questions on the Local Church I decided to google it, but I didn't come across any discussions on them, at least not active sites. At best I came across that open letter, and GotQuestions's article on them. Only the second time did I discover this forum, and that was by specifically googling for posts made recently. I haven't been so active lately, but an idea came to mind as I browsed through Facebook: Why not create a Facebook group? At least one which refers to discussions over here? Or even just a page posting interesting discussions taking place on the forum? I saw some "Local Church" groups, but they seem to be made only for those actually in the LC. Don't get me wrong. A forum is better. It is structured, with dedicated members, and detailed discussions. I merely think that Facebook can help to reach more people. __________________ There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12

03-27-2018, 08:38 AM	#2
UntoHim Οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον For God So Loved The World Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,824	Re: A Facebook Group? Actually a Facebook page was set up a number of years ago. At some point it was taken down by the Facebook people. No real reason was given and I assumed it was Local Church/LSM/DCP people who complained and got it taken down. At some point I got it reinstated, only to have it taken down again. I simply gave up. - __________________ αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν - 1 Peter 5:11

03-27-2018, 03:34 PM	#6
Koinonia Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 524	Re: A Facebook Group? I've often thought there needs to be a Facebook group for open discussion among "Ex-Members of the Local Church of Witness Lee" (or something like that). Many other similar-type groups have Facebooks groups that are very active. Especially for younger members, there is so much stigma related to leaving the LC. I know people who have not been involved for years, but are still too scared to admit that they are "not meeting." It is very healthy to be able to see a community of people of all ages and all persuasions openly processing their experience with the LC. I believe it would be worthwhile for someone (not me) to create such a group and to encourage others to invite their ex-LC contacts to join. There are thousands out there.

03-27-2018, 11:01 AM	#12
Ohio Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Greater Ohio Posts: 13,693	Re: A Facebook Group? Your story was heartbreaking, so I thought I'd post this card ... __________________ Ohio's motto is: With God all things are possible!. Keeping all my posts short, quick, living, and to the point!

03-27-2018, 07:13 PM	#14
OGOP Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 35	Re: A Facebook Group? Like everybody has said, I think this is a great idea and the only problems will be 1) anonymity and 2) LSM shutting us down by appealing to Facebook. To combat these two problems I think is simple. 1) Fake/Throwaway FB accounts for people who cant post under their real name for whatever the circumstance. For those who are completely removed from the church life it would be highly encouraged to use your real name so there is at least some activity from clearly real accounts. We would have to add a disclaimer in the group description explaining why people have accounts not in their name for their own protection for fear of retribution, etc. 2) Make the group center around the idea of a support group/info page to redirect people here. That would be our best bet to avoid complaints from LSM to get us banned on FB. I mean, could FB really ban an "ex-member support page"? -I think this is a really good idea DistantStar

03-30-2018, 06:30 PM	#15
OGOP Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 35	Re: A Facebook Group? Okay, so who is going to be the one to create? If you do please post the link. We can DM and I would want to be an admin

04-02-2018, 07:33 AM	#18
LifeGoesOn Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 85	Re: A Facebook Group? I’d like to see this happen as well. It would be a yuge help blessing, just like this sure, but able to reach more people. ETA: My wife said there should be a link to this forum for those who don’t feel comfortable posting on FB. __________________ “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."” John‬ 8:31-32‬

04-02-2018, 08:42 PM	#19
OGOP Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 35	Re: A Facebook Group? The group has been created. I will post the link in this thread shortly, but first I need some accounts to add as members/admin before FB will let me go public. Please Private Message me your account name on FB so I can add you all Looking forward to it! OGOP

04-03-2018, 04:52 PM	#20
Facebook Friend Guest Posts: n/a	Re: A Facebook Group? There is a group set up called Former Members of the Local Church (Witness Lee): https://www.facebook.com/groups/764718357071498/ Best to make sure there are not duplicate groups.

04-03-2018, 06:40 PM	#25
OGOP Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 35	Re: A Facebook Group? Here is a link to the "closed" group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764718357071498/ 34 members so far.