Church restricts access to social networks and video streaming on meetinghouse WIFI

[cinepro]

Most social networks will no longer be available in LDS meetinghouses beginning in May

Probably a good idea.  I'm assuming Facebook and Reddit are already locked out?

[stemelbow]

If their hope is to have fewer members go to Church, this was an excellent idea.  Without a doubt.  

[Calm]

http://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/70506-church-buildings-to-block-social-media-sites/

 

[ksfisher]

1 hour ago, stemelbow said:

If their hope is to have fewer members go to Church, this was an excellent idea.  Without a doubt.  

Because people attend church for the free wifi?

[Guest]

1 hour ago, stemelbow said:

If their hope is to have fewer members go to Church, this was an excellent idea.  Without a doubt.  

Why would this happen? Having WIFI, is a relatively new thing, my guess is that they would rather have people paying more attention. Now for those seeking any reason to stop going to Church, any excuse will do. 

[Guest]

13 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Because people attend church for the free wifi?

Let's hope not. 

[stemelbow]

19 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Because people attend church for the free wifi?

I tend towards seeing diversity in groups of people.  Some go for this and some go for that.  Those that are using those sites are doing so for their own purposes.  I ain't here to judge.  I'm just saying, restricting people's access tends to send the message to those who feel it necessary that they aren't welcome.  

 

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, cinepro said:

Most social networks will no longer be available in LDS meetinghouses beginning in May

Probably a good idea.  I'm assuming Facebook and Reddit are already locked out?

I didn't see them in the list of 19 web sites and apps.

Or were you not serious in asking this question?

Edited to add: I get your meaning now; I didn't before.

No, I don't believe Facebook has ever been blocked. There are some Church-related uses of Facebook. Many of the Brethren have Facebook accounts.

I don't know about Reddit, as I never go on there.

 

Edited May 2, 2018 by Scott Lloyd

[stemelbow]

12 minutes ago, Bill "Papa" Lee said:

Why would this happen? Having WIFI, is a relatively new thing, my guess is that they would rather have people paying more attention. Now for those seeking any reason to stop going to Church, any excuse will do. 

Sure plenty of members are the brink wondering if there is any point to going anymore.  I'm sure for some it won't take much to push them over the edge.  This may be one such thing to provide a push.  But, in truth, there are plenty of others thing to send people packing.  People will always be coming and going.  It seems like the rate of going is increasing and the rate of coming is decreasing these days.  

[ksfisher]

Just now, stemelbow said:

I tend towards seeing diversity in groups of people.  Some go for this and some go for that.  Those that are using those sites are doing so for their own purposes.  I ain't here to judge.  I'm just saying, restricting people's access tends to send the message to those who feel it necessary that they aren't welcome.  

 

So those members who come to church wanting to play Clash of Clans may not feel welcome?  Yes, those people who are playing Clash of Clans (to pick on that group) are doing so for there own purpose, but they are not using the wifi network for the purpose that the owner of the network made it available to them.  You would agree the owner of the network has the right to determine it's use, right?  I really don't think anyone will be offended, stay away, or feel not welcome because the church defines and puts parameters on the use of it's wifi network.

[Thinking]

The Church is only blocking access through its wifi. It can't keep people from using their own phone service to access the internet. We have unlimited data on our service so this would have no effect on me if I went to church.

For those who think this isn't fair, the church can decide to do whatever it wants with its own wifi.

[bluebell]

12 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

So those members who come to church wanting to play Clash of Clans may not feel welcome?  Yes, those people who are playing Clash of Clans (to pick on that group) are doing so for there own purpose, but they are not using the wifi network for the purpose that the owner of the network made it available to them.  You would agree the owner of the network has the right to determine it's use, right?  I really don't think anyone will be offended, stay away, or feel not welcome because the church defines and puts parameters on the use of it's wifi network.

Considering the reason for why the church is stopping wifi access to certain sites ("Non-Church-related internet use in meetinghouses often creates difficulty for those who are trying to use it for Church purposes"), it makes perfect sense.  The church provides wifi for a specific reason-so members can use church resources during meetings.

[MorningStar]

25 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

I tend towards seeing diversity in groups of people.  Some go for this and some go for that.  Those that are using those sites are doing so for their own purposes.  I ain't here to judge.  I'm just saying, restricting people's access tends to send the message to those who feel it necessary that they aren't welcome.  

 

Oh brother!  It's a no brainer that if you're attending church, a conference, a class, etc., you shouldn't be playing around on your phone. If someone is offended that they don't get to be disrespectful, oh well! 

[hope_for_things]

2 hours ago, cinepro said:

Most social networks will no longer be available in LDS meetinghouses beginning in May

Probably a good idea.  I'm assuming Facebook and Reddit are already locked out?

How many people actually use the WiFi for their smart phones?  I know I just use the data from my cellular plan.  Do people actually use the church's WiFi these days?  

[MiserereNobis]

My church doesn't have wi-fi. What's the purpose? I assume the rectory (where the priest lives) might have it for the priest, but I don't know. The office might have it for work, but I don't know that, either. The chapel doesn't have it for sure.

I guess it's time for Mormons to go out and buy a VPN subscription

 

[bluebell]

9 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

My church doesn't have wi-fi. What's the purpose? I assume the rectory (where the priest lives) might have it for the priest, but I don't know. The office might have it for work, but I don't know that, either. The chapel doesn't have it for sure.

I guess it's time for Mormons to go out and buy a VPN subscription

 

The church provides wifi because so many church resources are used by members online at the church.  Lesson manuals, scriptures, videos for lessons, the Family Search website, scheduling the building, looking at class and organization rosters, paying tithing and other donations, etc.  All of that can be done from church apps that use an internet connection.

[MiserereNobis]

5 minutes ago, bluebell said:

The church provides wifi because so many church resources are used by members online at the church.  Lesson manuals, scriptures, videos for lessons, the Family Search website, scheduling the building, looking at class and organization rosters, paying tithing and other donations, etc.  All of that can be done from church apps that use an internet connection.

That makes sense. My chapel is stuck in the middle ages so we don't use it. The priest makes it very clear that phones should not be out.

Here's a picture of the chapel from the choir loft. Positively medieval!  

Edited May 2, 2018 by MiserereNobis

[RevTestament]

2 hours ago, cinepro said:

Most social networks will no longer be available in LDS meetinghouses beginning in May

Probably a good idea.  I'm assuming Facebook and Reddit are already locked out?

How can it possibly be a good idea to take away my Xfinity TV? 😢 😭 Well there goes your "Like" for today!

[Scott Lloyd]

5 minutes ago, bluebell said:

The church provides wifi because so many church resources are used by members online at the church.  Lesson manuals, scriptures, videos for lessons, the Family Search website, scheduling the building, looking at class and organization rosters, paying tithing and other donations, etc.  All of that can be done from church apps that use an internet connection.

Also, the Church's hymnal is online (words as well as musical notation) and can be accessed via wifi. And all of the Church's general conference sermons going back many, many years, and official Church periodicals such as the Ensign magazine going back many years are accessible as well, content from which can enhance Sabbath Day discussions, classes and meetings.

[RevTestament]

1 minute ago, MiserereNobis said:

That makes sense. My chapel is stuck in the middle ages so we don't use it. The priest makes it very clear that phones should not be out.

The bishopric does routinely announce that electronic devices should be turned off or disabled during services. However, people do check them for scriptures already loaded - they just don't want ringing phones, etc. The way the Gospel Library App now works sometimes requires a download of each lesson manual, so I have downloaded a manual or handbook during a class using the Church wifi since my phone does not have a lot of data.

[MiserereNobis]

2 minutes ago, RevTestament said:

The bishopric does routinely announce that electronic devices should be turned off or disabled during services. However, people do check them for scriptures already loaded - they just don't want ringing phones, etc. The way the Gospel Library App now works sometimes requires a download of each lesson manual, so I have downloaded a manual or handbook during a class using the Church wifi since my phone does not have a lot of data.

I have the "Pope App," which is news about His Holiness, but unfortunately they changed the name to "Vatican News." How boring!

[cinepro]

26 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

That makes sense. My chapel is stuck in the middle ages so we don't use it. The priest makes it very clear that phones should not be out.

Here's a picture of the chapel from the choir loft. Positively medieval!  

 

You'd love the LDS Los Angeles Stake Center.  It's always looked quite medieval to me...

 

[MiserereNobis]

Just now, cinepro said:

You'd love the LDS Los Angeles Stake Center.  It's always looked quite medieval to me...

Indeed! How old is it? The two Mormon chapels I've been to were... let's just say aesthetically challenged, which is odd given the beauty of your temples.

[Scott Lloyd]

22 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

I have the "Pope App," which is news about His Holiness, but unfortunately they changed the name to "Vatican News." How boring!

Does it feature Father Guido Sarducci?

[cinepro]

5 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

Indeed! How old is it? The two Mormon chapels I've been to were... let's just say aesthetically challenged, which is odd given the beauty of your temples.

It was built in 1929 as the "Hollywood Tabernacle."

Edited May 2, 2018 by cinepro