4 Suicides I Am Aware Of This Year, Why Elders, COs Are Not Competent To Handle These Matters. (Life Or Death, Your Choice!)

by AvocadoJake 36 Replies latest jw friends

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  Judge Dread

  One brother in my congregation got very, very sick. His wife left him because of that. He couldn't take the pain of his illness and the pain of his wife abandoning him when the "for worse" part of the marriage vows reared it's ugly head.

  He committed suicide becaue of these things.

  Another brother in my congregation had been in two different religions prior to becoming a Witness. He also had two daughters, and one ex-wife prior to becoming a Witness. He became a servant and was one the the happiest, most positive people I've ever known. He was always in a good mood and he was a good man.

  One night, he committted suicide. There was no clue, no sign, no nothing that he would ever do that.

  When someone who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses commits suicide, no one can say that is the reason they did it. Unless someone leaves a note, or communicates in some way that was the reason, it is not fair to blame the religion.

  That's the bottom line and that's all I have to say about it.

  Judge Dread/Warlock
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  AvocadoJake

  Issue at hand, Can the Watchtower trained COs, Elders and Mini-servants provide help for those who are emotionally sick or mentally unstable? The answer is a blatant "No!" since emotional problems and mental disease exist only with Apostates, there is no need to train these men to help. All JWs are the most loving and happy people in the world.
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  00DAD

  While it's true that every situation is different, when a GROUP of people have a higher than average incidence of ANYTHING then it is logical to look for connections. Ask Erin Brockovich!

  In this case, the relevant data indicates a much higher occurrence of mental issues--depression, mental illness and suicide--than the general population. There is a link. What is the cause is the important question!

  Does the religion attract mentally unbalanced people or create mental problems? Experts that have written on this suspect it's a combination of both.
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  00DAD

  PARADISE POSTPONED ... AND POSTPONED: Why Jehovah’s Witnesses Have a High Mental Illness Level

  A review of scientific literature shows that the rate of mental illness among Jehovah’s Witnesses is considerably above average. Statistical information varies partly because the extant research has been conducted on different populations at different time periods. Several major factors stand out as harmful to Witness mental health. Not only do persons with emotional problems tend to join the Witnesses, but also the Watchtower teachings and its subculture adversely affect the mental health of those involved. - Dr. Jerry Bergman
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  gubberningbody

  Post Jerry Bergman's data and his methodology w/regard to gathering and reporting and this might have some value.

  Even if the data would support the same one would still need make the clear distinction between those born into the sect, vs those who chose the sect.

  One could argue that the "choosers" were already unbalanced prior to their WT engagement.
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  00DAD

  gubberningbody: One could argue that the "choosers" were already unbalanced prior to their WT engagement.

  True. Bergman and the authors of the other relevant studies all address that possibility. However, if what the WTBTS claims to be were true, then at least the preponderance of "choosers" would get better. They don't. In fact, they generally get worse.

  Read the studies and then let's talk.
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  thetrueone

  Circumstances like these were quite often years ago, when the WTS./JWS were greatly opposed to the medical field of psychiatry.

  There has been some relaxing on this issue but nevertheless the direction any elder will and would proceed on is more prayer and service

  within (his) organization, will relieve and cure oneself of these parcariuosly dangerous thoughts.

  There still is a quiet bemoaning of psychiatry within the ranks of the JWs, mostly out of ignorance and suspicion.

  Why go to a worldy unbeleaving Pychcaristrist , when you can recieve spiritual help by the anointed spiritualy guided elders ?

  Its not uncommon for these people to proceed in committing suicide, I personally know of quite a few who were JWS or involved in this religion

  to have done just that very thing. As its been mentioned before JW elders know little or have little understanding of human psychology.

  The ancient Judeans knew little of it as well, the civilization that the JWS are trying to emulate.