Strongly dislike Smartphones

I would love to go back to a time before smartphones. I have not used one for about a year and my life, my confidence and my relationships have changed so dramatically. Personally I think they are evil for a large number of reasons, but I also see hypocrisy there in the fact that I am using a laptop and usually I would not use a site like this also even though I don't see this particular site as a bad thing. I am just on crutches for the next 3 weeks so I have a lot of time indoors. If anyone has any thoughts on smartphones then feel free to share. Doesn't have to be a debate or anything and I can see it from other perspectives because I was addicted to my smartphone in the past. I would love to meet or speak to another young person that doesn't have a smartphone but I have not yet.

I've never had one.

Smartphones aren't evil. They're inanimate objects. They are no more evil than kitchen knives, cars, etc...
It's not that objects are evil, it's how they're used. Some people watch sermons, follow ministries, use Christian chat sites and such things, on their smartphone. Others have more nefarious uses for them. So to say smart phones are evil os to say all people and ministries that use it or create apps for it are evil, or indulging in evil. That's a pretty broad brush to paint with.
Smartphones are nothing more than pocket computers. If one is evil then both Must be evil. And now you've used that brush to paint even broader strokes across 1000's more.
While also confessing your own hypocrisy by being on a computer. So what might that say about you? Indulging in evil, according to your standard.
If one of your reasons is addiction, then by default anything people can be addicted to is evil. Goodbye food.
Some people rely on their phones for their job, or some may be disabled and use it to socialize or kill time. They can be used to call emergency services. Are all these things causing people to indulge in evil?

I know what you mean.
Smart phones are designed to be addictive. They are made with psychological software to capture inordinate attention and hyper focus.
They have the most sophisticated ways to get our bodies to activate hormonal dopamine responses. Without getting into the topic too deep at this point, suffice it to know that your suspicion is warranted.

Are there good things about cell phones? Of course. We can use them to listen to the Bible, to lead others to Christ and to hear good preaching.
We could come up with a list of great things we can use them for. It's a tool that can be used for good or evil. There is however a lot more evil available than ever before and it's easily accessible by everyone with an internet connection. I personally think that the world would be much better off without so much technology.

Have you heard of a man named Klaus Shwab?

For me, I see it like anything else -- a smartphone is a tool, and it can be used for good or bad.

If a person is addicted to their phone to the point where they're constantly getting in online fights, use all their spare time to scroll/be nosey about other people's lives, and are avoiding or unable to function in real life because of it, then yes, it's definitely a problem that needs to be dealt with.

But for me, smartphone technology has been a blessing, and now that I've been pushed into it (literally,) I honestly couldn't live without mine (well, I could, but it would be much more dififcult.)

Like most people, I was against this newfangled tech until I sent a friend some money as a thank-you for something he helped me wiath, and he turned around and bought me a phone instead. I of course intended on returning it, but he sent a note saying, "Please, just try. I'll help you. Trust me, it's going to change your life."

And it most certainly did. Even though it literally took thousands of voice messages (all sent on this new phone!) and countless hours of his tutoring before I got the nang of it.

I don't know if I have a learning disability, but my brain does not remember or take in directions. It can be a store I literally drive to every week, and the landmarks are all familiar, but for some reason, I don't remember which turns to take where. And I've always been like this, even as a kid. I grew up just before the internet explosion and luckily lived in a small town, so I did learn how to get where I needed to go in that setting. But as I went away to much bigger places, including college, I would have to print out paper maps from the internet, both to and from where I was going, or I would literally be lost. I guess for me it's almost like having a handicap, and this modern technology is just the aid I need.

When GPS's came out, I was eager to save up to buy one. But soon I found myself carrying a bevy of devices around -- a GPS for directions, a calculator to compare prices, an alarm clock or watch because I was always setting timers to remind myself of things, a calendar to remember important events I was shopping for... And the list goes on.

My smartphone has replaced all of those things and more. When a family member wound up in the emergency room and needed some things, I could have a conversation and send pictures immediatly of what was in the store so they could choose right away. What would I have done without a smartphone? I probably would have had to buy everything on the shelf, taken it to my family, let them choose, and then have to take the rest back. I shop for other people often, so a smartphone saves me numerous trips, a lot of inconvenience, and a ton of gas money.

As a single woman, I also feel much safer with a phone in hand everywhere I go. Unfortunately, in the area I live, even the safest places have people walking around who aren't in their right minds, so I need a way to call for help immediately if necessary. If I had car trouble or am in an accident, I can immediately look up places for help, and can send pictures/take recordings if needed. These days, having the power to record something in an emergency situation is, in my opinion, a must, because one needs their own proof of what happened.

I have two friends who could not run their careers without their phones. One is in landscaping and deals with customers daily that want certain plants but don't know what they are. With a phone, he's able to show them pictures until they find the right ones, then communicate with suppliers to see if they have that specific plant in that specific color.

The other owns an HVAC business and is constantly sending pictures back and forth of parts, supplies, tools, etc. he uses to work on heating and cooling machines. For people like this, a phone is a vital piece of equipment, just like a shovel or wrench. Without it, they would lose a lot of customers and couldn't keep up with competing businesses.

And finally, my phone is the source of almost all my socialization. I know most people will say, "How pathetic! Get a real life with real people!" But I do have a life, and it very much involves real people.

But for some reason, in real life, I always attract people who "need" me for something. They don't want to be my friends. They want me for their own purposes -- whether to help watch their kids, pets, co-sign a loan, be a shelter from a significant other who owns guns and threatens people with them, join a group they're promoting, give money to an rganization they've started, but whatever they're selling...

I've found it's much easier for me to stick with my childhood/lifelong friends I made back home, along with the friends I've made here online (and have visited in real life.) These are people who, if I need help, don't hesitate to offer whatever they can. One even drove me somewhere I needed to be even though it was a total of 12 hours out of their way. I've been making friends through alternative means all my life (paper letters before the internet -- for me, it was still making friends through writing, just with a slight twist.) And now we can even look up info about the people we write to see if it checks out (back in the days of paper letters, I couldn't do that -- but still met 2 pen pals in person, one even being from Japan.)

Unfortunately, my friends are all at least a day's worth of flights to get to, but I talk to some of them almost daily via internet chats. And it keeps me sane -- literally -- because I am prone to depression and would definitely crash emotionally without such technology.

But I'm also an introvert, so while this works for me, I know it wouldn't for many people. If phones don't work for some people -- then they should absolutely do what's healthier for them as far as cutting back or cutting them out.

But as for my own life, even though I'm terrible with technology, God has provided friends to help me learn -- and a literal world of other opportunities has opened because of that.

Romans chapter one says 'Inventors of evil things' so, I do believe things can be evil.

Replying to
Subhumanoidal

I do agree with what a lot of people are saying in that it may be seemingly impossible to live without a smartphone or laptop, especially in certain jobs. For example, I am a student which is why I have a laptop, I do intend to get rid of it after my final year of study but I would not be able to complete my degree without it, which I think is a shame but that is how our world is.
I do think that smartphones and even computers/televisions were not made for our benefit or to bring us closer to God. For many reasons, a lot of deep dives and exploring the origins of all these things. There are a lot of things in our world today that we have no idea why they were made in the first place and where it will all lead. I am not meaning to condemn anyone also, I live in this world just like you. However, I know there will come a time when people will say they 'Need' the mark of the beast, as said in Revelations.. as you will not be able to buy or sell without it.
But as Christians we are warned to say no to it, despite whatever persecution may come with it.
I do believe you can be a good and faithful Christian and own a smartphone but God has revealed to me many times that smartphones are not for me and I stand by my comment that they are Evil and If you want to keep using it, once again, not condemning you or judging you but I would say just evaluate how much importance you place on it. Some people wont struggle with this, but some people cannot live without it and that is a problem.
God gave us everything we need to survive and over time people have corrupted and distorted how we live where we don't even truly know what is in our food or in our drinking water. I don't believe that our governments have our best interests in mind and I believe creators of these devices know what they are doing and want us to be addicted consumers that don't know how to think for ourselves.
I will likely only be on this website for the 3 weeks that I am unable to walk but I am open to further conversations about these things whilst I am here.

I know you were replying to Subhumanoidal, but I just wanted to add another perspective.

I absolutely agree that some things are just plain evil. A book of Satanic literature? Evil without question.

But recording equipment (which pretty much all smartphones have)? I would see that as neutral.

Yes, it can be used for very evil things -- especially since people are making and selling their own evil recordings of both others and themselves.

But the power to record something yourself that can be used for your own defense or protection when someone tries to attack or accuse you? (Such as, a car accident; someone approaching and threatening you; a situation in which you feel unsafe.)

As a single woman who has to do everything alone, in an area where the homeless and fentanyl addiction is an ever-present problem, I never go anywhere without my phone.

That makes complete sense, and I will pray that God will protect you and keep you safe in that circumstance. We are now getting to the point where recordings can be fabricated however and so recordings will become less and less reliable as time goes on. I am also a single woman and I generally don't go anywhere without my 'dumb' phone. I see what you mean about recording incidents but would you be able to say that you don't use the smartphone for other purposes? Because I wouldn't be against a recording device that can be carried around but does not have all the addictive aspects of a smartphone. And the truth is, that if someone with enough power wants to accuse you of something, no recording will save you. Once again, a lot of deep dives into the justice system and how that works supports this but I think for now, carry on with the smartphone if it makes you feel safe but the bible also says 'Do not be afraid' because God is more powerful than anything and he can protect you. Which doesn't mean go out and try to shake hands with all the addicts you are around because that will not go well (unless God tells you to). But, the trust in God is a powerful thing. You do not need to fear any man, although as a woman I understand that is easier said than done. I do stand by that though, you don't need the phone if you have God. Once again, just so I don't upset you or anything I'm not telling you get rid of it, just that you could get rid of it.

Would you want to be out of that living situation if you could?

I 100% agree that if God has convicted you and said not to use a smartphone, then absolutely, don't use one.

I also agree that it's wise to ask ourselves if something is bringing us closer to God or driving us further way, or if we are putting too much importance on something. If so, then yes, get rid of it.

But for me it's a lot like alcohol. I don't like the taste of alcohol by itself, and get allergic reactions if I try to drink it straight. But I do like some foods (pasta sauce, for example) made with it and don't have problems if I don't have very much.

However, alcohol is not an issue for me personally. I only have one bottle of alcohol in my house, and it took me almost 5 years to even open it because I hardly ever make the recipe I use it for (which was the only reason I bought it in the first place.) I can tell you the last time I drank -- it was at Thanksgiving dinner last year, when I tried about 2 sips of cranberry wine -- and didn't like it at all, so went back to drinking my water.

But for others, alcohol is definitely a problem (said in fact and not in judgment,) and something they should never be around.

I hope you are blessed during your 3 weeks here. I'm very glad that this site will be helpful to you during your recovery.

But for me, if I were to leave tech/the internet behind completely, it would cut off my avenue to meet, pray for and serve others, as well as a chance to make lifelong friends.

Ideally you could have friends in the real world but I do understand that because I really had to search for Christian friends and now I have only one or two friends that align with my beliefs although I am friendly with some others from different churches and if it is bring you closer to God than I thank God for that. You will be in my prayers and I have enjoyed speaking with you also. You seem like a lovely woman.

As I am saying in other posts, if a phone is a problem for you that God has convicted you of, then yes, get rid of it without question.

But the key to remember is that not everything is the same problem for everyone, and not everyone is convicted in the same way. I used the example of alcohol in another post. Do I think alcohol is inherently evil? No. After all, Jesus turned water into wine. But do I think some people have problems with alcohol and need to do everything they can to stay away from it? Absolutely. But not all people have that problem.

And I see smartphones as being the same way. You keep mentioning the "addictive" nature of smartphones, which is certainly true -- but not all people are addicted to them, just like with alcohol.

Yes, God protects us from everything but there are intelligent choices and safety measures we can take. God will protect you, but you don't leave your house and car unlocked, you don't carry a wad of cash out in the open, and you don't walk in dangerous areas alone at night. God will protect you, but it also helps when a person makes smarter choices and also uses the tools He provides us with -- locks, security systems, alternative routes and times of day to travel, etc.

For me, a smartphone is God's provision of another layer of protection. It's certainly not some kind of guarantee -- it's just another tool.

You asked, "Would you want to be out of that living situation if you could?"

I'm not sure what you're asking. I don't live in the ghetto or bad sitaution at all. I actually live in what's considered a very good area -- but it just goes to show how far-reaching today's problems are. No place is safe or exempt.

I went to the dentist's office a few weeks ago. It's in the middle of a busy shopping area in an upscale neighborhood. But as I was arriving, a sheriff's vehicle was escorting away a man who was not in his right mind and was harassing an elderly couple -- and their car wasn't even 20 feet away. And you find this everywhere, at least where I live in the Pacific Northwestern USA.

It's just another reason why I see a smartphone as an additional blessing from God that I use for the purpose of safety.

Thanks very much.

I do have friends in the real world -- the best Christian friends I could ever hope to find, and I am so very thankful for them. I have known one of them since I was 5 years old. Others are ones I met right here on this site and then in person. These are friends who have laughed and cried with me through all our problems, helped pack all my belongings when I was going through a terrible life crisis and had to move out of the area, participate in Bible study/discussions in our group, never hesitate to offer a place to stay or transportation if I'm visiting, and have even invited me to come live with them as I'm getting back on my feet through various life challenges.

It's just that they all live several thousands of miles away. And so, technology is the only choice we have for keeping in regular touch. They've been with me for so long and have helped me through so many things, any friendships I've tried to make in the past few years seem hollow and loveless by comparison.

I once asked an older lady from church if she'd like to go to lunch sometime (I intended to pay,) and she looked at me like I'd planted a bomb in her car. She said very curtly, "I DON'T do lunch!" Well ok then! I don't know if she actually didn't do lunch or if there was just something suspicious about me!

In the meantime, I'm happy with the friends the Lord has provided for now, and I'm very glad to hear you have friends as well.

I really do hope this site is a blessing to you and if God allows, you are more than welcome to stay after you are healed (which I pray is speedy and whole.)

I do understand your concerns about modern technology -- like anything, it has its pro's and con's.

Hope you are healing up well and thank you also for the conversation!

If it weren't for my smartphone, I'd be... well, not smart.

I just asked about that so I could pray for you if you wanted to move somewhere else. Not assuming it was bad, otherwise I wouldn't have asked if I thought it was bad, I would've just prayed that you could move somehow. But, no worries

Because your smartphone can do the thinking for you..?

Tech is a very profitable business, I cannot deny that. Personally I think its not worth it but go ahead. Be careful of google also, I know this is just a meme and not too serious but Google has a lot of truth blocked or banned and it will get worse in the future. You seem funny though, and so it doesn't have to be so serious, God bless you

I apologize for misunderstanding.

Thank you for clarifying, and thank you for the prayers! 🙂❤️🙏🏼