Sometimes I stumble across a funny thing that is so sadly true that I can't even laugh. I started to laugh when I saw this shirt on Pinterest and then I just stopped and frowned. I have a Facebook account but it only exists so that I can access Pinterest and sign up for giveaways and great coupons. It's not under my full name. I rarely ever go there.
Except every once in a while. And then I almost always regret it.
Perhaps it is because I am not desensitized to it all but every time I spend more than 3 minutes browsing around Facebook, I leave with terrible memories and regrets. I can't even get into people's pages because I'm not even "friends" with my friends... but I see enough. What starts out as a mild interest in the lives and doings of my friends and family turns into an eye-opening freak show.
Stuff I didn't know and didn't want to know. Really scandalous photos and updates from practicing Catholics. Oh look! Mrs. Suzy Catholic's college age son is on here! I wonder how he's doing. He's always been such a nice, pious... oh dear...
There have been two different times in the last few years when I have spent more than a few minutes browsing. Boredom, curiosity, whatever, I have no good excuse. Both times I have been moved to pray for a healing of memories. Because when I see these people next (and I will see them, probably at some church function somewhere) I do not wish to see them as they were pleased to show themselves.
God forgive me for my unhealthy curiosity. Again, since I'm "friends" with no one (and no one can even really find me since I don't use my full name) I can't even see most stuff on Facebook. Based on my limited experience, all I can assume is that it must be a very sordid sort of icky place in general. Or at least one gigantic occasion of sin.
But I like blogging. And Pinterest. And every time I'm tempted to join Facebook, I realize that my motivation is almost entirely one of two things: mercenary or curiosity. I can definitely do without those two stumbling blocks.
7 comments:
Facebook is indeed an occasion of sin. No doubt about it. Just about every time I log on to it I wind up wishing I hadn't. Just seeing the things certain family members post is enough warrant me needing to go to confession. I have considered on more than one occasion walking away from Facebook altogether or seriously culling my friends list down to people who don't post horribly sordid and inappropriate things or stuff that makes my blood boil.
My kids make fun of me because I only have 15 friends on facebook. I am very picky as to whom I will befriend. Really, it's only a few relatives and my friend in Japan. I refuse to be friends with anyone in Indianapolis, as I do not want to know of the gossip and drama of those around me. Facebook can be a very bad thing, which is a shame, as it could be such a good thing.
Wow! I feel like I just wrote that post myself! I have all the same feelings. I always think "I just would like to see pictures"...but then..oh dear - like you said. Last year I got off FB for that reason...cold turkey. Recently I signed up again not under my full name for the same reasons as you. When I did, my sister asked me to be 'friends' the first day! How she found me I'll never know! Savy kids! Her pics are one of the main reasons I got off!!
Some of my 'good Catholic' friends got very mad at me for getting off fb - feeling like I was 'lecturing' them - though I didn't say anything - they just knew that I didn't feel it was getting me closer to heaven (more a near occasion of sin).
Oh well.
God bless - thanks for your thoughts - I'm glad to know others have my same ones :)
Merry Christmas!
After I posted the above, I got this email about facebook banning Gandhi quote. Thought I'd share...horrible what they are now 'censoring', instead of all the things they should be!
http://www.naturalnews.com/038484_Gandhi_quote_Facebook_censorship.html
Well, I see that I'm in good company anyway. :)
Lauren-I saw the news about that Gandhi quote a couple days ago and was pretty stunned that they removed it. There was nothing offensive about it and as you said, there are a lot of other things that are!
I got off of facebook too recently because I wasted too much time on it and so many times got off the computer in tears because of things I didn't know about people before or hurtful things people would say about others. I have really enjoyed blogging so much more.
Interesting Melody. Love the shirt. I learned today from EWTN how teens are being charged with child pornography because they are posting nude or semi nude pictures of themselves on FB or by text. The timing was revealing because some young girl (maybe she was 18 or over...don't know) sent me a semi nude text on my cell phone. Had no idea who she was. My first response was to reply and let her know it didn't reach her intended destination. My husband talked me out of it. Now I'm wishing I did before I deleted it. Shocking indeed.
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