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====== In this Digital Age, Why Use Paper? ======

===== Introduction =====

Why should we publish? The short answer is because God has told us to, and this work will be successful!

> Human power did not establish the work of God, neither can human power destroy it. To those who carry forward His work in face of difficulty and opposition, God will give the constant guidance and guardianship of His holy angels. His work on earth will never cease.... PM 197.1

But what about in this modern, digital age of radio, television, Internet, and social media? Isn't printing outdated?

===== Resistant to Electronic Restrictions =====

God has blessed mankind with amazing intelligence to create technology that is truly amazing. Technology such as radio, television, the Internet, and social media may all be used effectively in God's work at times and in certain places.

Nevertheless, it is important to remember that digital formats are vulnerable. Man often attempts to restrict our God-given freedom of speech. What is easy to post Online is also easy to remove at the flip of a switch. At times, the Internet itself may be shut down entirely for various reasons, effectively blocking all access.

==== Censorship and content filtering ====
Many countries restrict the dissemination of religious materials on the Internet. They may require certain Internet service providers to block access to certain sites or topics. Some websites are not accessible from certain countries.

Another technique commonly used is filtering content so that certain words or pages do not show up in search engine results.

==== Social Media ====
A social media platform can simply classify your post as hate speech or otherwise an "unapproved" category, and they can block your post or shut down your account. According to some policies, many Bible verses are classified as "hate speech" or "extremist" ideology.

==== Hacking and cyberattacks ====
Enemies of the truth can launch cyberattacks to cripple or hobble a website that is presenting truths.

==== Dependent on Electricity ====
Your phone is a great place to read Spirit of Prophecy books... until the Internet or power shuts down. Even if you have downloaded the books offline, you're set for a while, but only until you drop your phone and the screen cracks, or until a disaster comes and shuts off the electricity. Then you won't be able to charge your device or turn it on.

==== Paper Formats Can't be Censored ====
Once a book is printed, it can't be censored, or content filtered. Social media has no access to classify it as hate speech and tear out the page it doesn't like. It is impossible to hack through the network. A book or tract is readable without electricity and doesn't need to be charged.