suicide controversy

by Moxy 5 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Moxy

  ive just heard about a suicide here in toronto, a brother, sounds like a family man. i dont know any details but i was kind of disturbed because its apparently a matter of some controversy. some feel that they should not attend the funeral since it was a suicide. i was pretty horrified. someone i know even said this to me, in an uncertain way like, 'oh, i dont think you're supposed to go, are you.'

  apparently that _was_ the position taken by the WT at one point and then later flipped. i havent looked up anything yet and i'll prolly hear more details soon. ill just start the thread and then add stuff later.

  mox
• 

  expatbrit

  Mox:

  Do you know where abouts in the city this happened?

  E-mail me please if you don't want to post it on the forum.

  Expatbrit
• 

  joelbear

  Witnesses wouldn't want to be motivated by love or empathy but on how their appearance at the funeral would reflect on God's earthly organization.

  shudders.

  As if suicide were a moral choice as opposed to the severest of symptoms of a troubled mind.

  peace to all

  Joel
• 

  Yerusalyim

  That's absolutely ridiculous. You go to funerals to comfort the living more than to honor the dead. They should be there for the family. Not going will just isolate and discourage the family more. Then again, what do you expect from a group so well known for the "love they have for one another".

  YERUSALYIM
  "Vanity! It's my favorite sin!"
  [Al Pacino as Satan, in "DEVIL'S ADVOCATE"]
• 

  Oldhippie

  I have attended funerals for suicide victims. Never gave it a second thought nor did anyone question me about it. For what it is worth, a '77 Watchtower on page 346 indicates that attendance there to comfort those bereaved is a good thing. I am not sure what the society's position was before that nor should it matter now. Simple human decency and compassion would tell you that a family who is trying to cope with such a sad thing needs comfort, not ostracism. I think suicide forces a very uncomfortable introspection on JW's psyche. After all we are the happiest people in the world. Perhaps that is why some shy away from attending such a funeral.
• 

  Moxy

  congratulations on finding the '77 reference. i was told where it was before this and still had difficulty locating it. here, for reference, is the discussion in w75 and the snippet that reveresed it in w77. i have still not heard any more details about the individual involved beyond what i mentioned.

  *** w75 7/15 447-8 Questions from Readers ***
  What, then, should be the attitude of members of a Christian congregation as to attending funerals of reported suicides who may have been associated with the congregation? What about an elder who has received a request to conduct such a funeral? Where death appears to have been accidental, even though it was reported as a suicide or may have involved mental illness, the consciences of some members of the congregation may permit them to attend the funeral to comfort the bereaved ones. Also, it is left up to the personal decision of an elder whether he will conduct such a funeral upon request. However, the congregation may prefer not to sponsor such a funeral publicly or to have it in the Kingdom Hall because of the effect it may have on the uninformed community.
  On the other hand, where it is a clearly established suicide, members of the congregation and elders may desire not to become involved in the funeral. In such cases arrangements would be left to the family itself for a private funeral where some member of the household might say a few words for the sake of the relatives. Furthermore, some may not desire to attend a funeral of one who is believed to have committed suicide where the funeral is conducted by someone other than a member of the congregation or by the funeral director himself at the request of the family.

  *** w77 6/1 346 Mourning and Funerals-For Whom? ***
  There is also the matter of giving a witness to Bible truths. Usually a funeral is attended by neighbors, acquaintances, business associates and relatives, who may not be believers. All these stand to benefit from a funeral or memorial service at which a discourse is given presenting the Bible view as to the condition of the dead, why men die and the hope of a resurrection. Because of such fine purposes being served, it seems that a Christian minister could see his way clear to conduct the funeral of a Witness? unbelieving relative?or even of one who, in a condition of extreme despondency or mental derangement, had taken his own life. And fellow Christians could extend comfort to the bereaved Witness by attending.

  mox