From what have gathered it is a java issue (for people that can update java 7 works). As most of us with the issue have OSX 10.6.8 we cant update, and java have no plans of ever making it available. this is their explanation "The Java Runtime depends on the availability of an Application programming interface (API). Some of the API were added in Mac OS X 10.7.3. Apple has no plans to make those API available on older versions of the Mac OS. ".

Regards James

(chrome and safari are working fine)

Still happening here on OS X 10.8.2 even after update to Java 7 Update 11. No issues with Chrome or Safari.

Walkier, I have a idea. Do you use Java at all for anything when you browse? Games or work related websites where it might be needed? If not, I suggest just disabling Java altogether.

I never use Java and haven't needed it in years. So I've always kept it disabled. In my mind, what the hell is Facebook doing behind the scenes where it needs to use the Java plugin? It doesn't need to be using it.

Most people never run into applications on the internet that require the Java plugin. It was necessary back in the day for file sharing applications like LimeWire, Vuze (Bittorent client), etc. The Adobe Creative Suite also requires Java to be installed for some of the features to work (Illustrator needs it, Photoshop doesn't).

Also you can check out this article:
gigaom.com/2012/09/06/quick-tip-do-you-need-java-on-your-mac/

To disable the Java plugin:
Go to Tools > Add-ons then click on Plugins.
Click on the Java plugin, then click the Disable button.
Restart Firefox and see if Facebook still crashes.

This will only disable Java from loading inside Firefox. It doesn't disable it system wide.

Okay. I use CS but I don't really need it on Firefox I guess.

Emm...I disabled Java but its still freezing.

Facebook is working now for me? No idea how, it is, not complaining though?

Yeah, me too. It suddenly works now but I have no idea how.

Facebook was working on this issue on their side, so this looks like they've fixed it :)

Is it just me or is it happening again?

James-Carey, It's happening again for me as well. It stopped for a day or so, but it's back to freezing. I guess we'll have to wait it out and see if Facebook and Mozilla and come together and make everything work again.

Working again for me? no idea whats going on

Its working but lagging.

I'm still having this issue, even disabling Java. I've checked for all updates manually and tried deleting the cookies.qlite files as suggested in another thread with the same problem. REALLY frustrating to have to open another browser to check facebook.

Ok... I found a temporarily fix... go to facebook.com, then click the (X) button in the bar to make the page stop loading. it should only be half loaded... if firefox locks up, you waited too long. Click on your name in the corner. Then when that loads, click home, next to your name!!!!! There is your news feed! Hope this works... It worked for me. Enjoy!!!

Its definitely not stable.

Somehow I made a duplicate of this question. Heres the other forum: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/946537?esab=a&s=&r=1&as=s

Yep, its freezing again.

Yeah this temporary fix didn't work for me either. I wish Mozilla support could just put some notification about it so I didn't have to keep stalking forums to try and get an answer here.

I've had to go back to using Chrome, which is not my preference, but I manage a number of facebook business pages and I just can't have this happening.

Fix this Firefox! Please.

Hey everyone, we hopefully have a solution for you here! Please update your Firefox to 18.0.2, which contains a patch to fix this crashyness :)

Update Firefox to the latest release

We are sorry for the trouble this was and that it took a while to fix, but please download this latest update. If there are still issues with Facebook please let me know.