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Thou shalt not Facebook - Food for thought

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Mary Sitton Real Estate Team - 215198

I’ve got to admit that when I read the title “Thou shalt not Facebook” I thought it was a cautionary tale for people not to use Facebook as a tool to publicly offend someone’s character.  I was wrong.

Pastor Cedric Miller has counseled several couples in his congregation that have apparently “hooked up” with old flames as “friends”. 

What starts as an innocent conversation down memory lane has opened up old feelings and inappropriate discussions that would surely make their present partner/spouse furious.  Divorce attorneys are using Facebook and other social networking sites as evidence in courts of law.

I find Facebook to be complicated.  I was excited at first to have a Facebok page as I’ve found it to be a great tool to catch up with my sis in Florida and friends that I don’t see or call often enough. 

I’ve accepted friend requests from people I’d call acquaintances, I’ve blocked my nephews posts as they embarrass me and I’ve been de-friend-ed.  Sometimes I’m excited to share my thoughts with the Facebook world and other times I stare at the box with a blank. 

I’ve been asked not to tag my friends and their children because of child trafficking and other unmentionable bad things that are happening with information that we innocently provide without a second thought.

 My brother refuses to use Facebook as he said anything that is published becomes the property of Facebook.  I don’t know if this is true, but this pastor has given me food for thought.

 

Terry Thorpe
Horizon Realty International - Siesta Key, FL

Within a week of joining Facebook I had 3 new leads. I think it serves many purposes. Anything internet related presents opportunities for the good and the bad. As long as you are part of the good there should be no problem. Thanks for the discussion. It's an important topic.

Nov 18, 2010 01:24 PM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Mary~  I don't know about you but I think if you are going to cheat, you are going to do it whether or not you use facebook.  Facebook doesn't make anyone do things they wouldn't normally do.  Facebook doesn't change our values or our morals either. 

Nov 18, 2010 01:28 PM
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team - - Hendersonville, NC
Realtor® - Western North Carolina

Wow Terry that's amazing! Congratulations on your success.  I agree with your comment and will always strive to be part of the good.

Nov 18, 2010 01:30 PM
Ted Tyrrell
RE/MAXCamosun (Chatterton) - Victoria, BC
Selling Homes in Beautiful Victoria

Your pastor may very well be wise and correct, if through the Facebook networking tool, persons of married persuasion are hooking up with "old flames". We all know in what direction these hook ups may take. Getting involved with "old flames" may lead to playing with fire.

Nov 18, 2010 01:31 PM
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team - - Hendersonville, NC
Realtor® - Western North Carolina

Vickie - Thankfully I'm happily married and have no need to look up an old flame.  You are right - if you look for trouble, you'll find it.  Thank you for sharing.

Nov 18, 2010 01:33 PM
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team - - Hendersonville, NC
Realtor® - Western North Carolina

Hi Ted - Pastor Cedric Miller is located in New Jersey.  I'm sure you'll see him in the news soon.  Your right, playing with fire will get you and those you love burned.

Nov 18, 2010 01:36 PM
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Slippery slope. What next? There is a country that bans men from walking dogs because it enables members of the opposite sex to meet.

Nov 18, 2010 01:39 PM
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team - - Hendersonville, NC
Realtor® - Western North Carolina

Dave - Seriously?  I've never heard that one before. 

Nov 18, 2010 01:44 PM
Amanda Nicodemus
Spring Texas Keller Williams Professionals - Cypresswood - Spring, TX
Spring Texas Real Estate www.amandahomes.com

Jimmy Kimmel had a "National 'FaceBook Un-friend' Day" yesterday.   It's just so easy to click on 'accept friend' without really knowing who that person really is.

Nov 18, 2010 01:47 PM
Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

Wow...I know it is true though as I have a short sale listing now for that exact reason...not sure if it was an ex flame...but it was an affair!   I keep it nice and professional on Facebook!!!   I have blocked guys that i felt were inappropriate as well! 

Nov 18, 2010 01:49 PM
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team - - Hendersonville, NC
Realtor® - Western North Carolina

Amanda - It really is too easy.  That was a great idea by Jimmy Kimmel, it gives you permission without guilt.

Deborah - Dang!  I think of FB as a dinner party.  Keep it clean and professional.

Nov 18, 2010 01:59 PM
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Mary,

Regarding comment #7, google and ye shall find.

Nov 18, 2010 02:55 PM
Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS

As with anything internet based, it depends on your intentions, there is good and bad online and offline.  Sometimes the internet just makes it easier for one to facilitate the bad, they were going to do it anyway!

Nov 18, 2010 10:31 PM
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team - - Hendersonville, NC
Realtor® - Western North Carolina

Dave - I shall seek that information - thank you.

 

Carol - Your absolutely right.

Nov 18, 2010 10:50 PM