Mass Shooting at Kingdom Hall in Hamburg, Germany (page 8)

Journeyman

The more that is coming out about this, the less I think it's actually a problem for JW's as such.

This individual sounds like your common-or-garden unstable personality, of the sort we hear about all the time in all kind of places.

Disfellowshipping (or other removal/rejection from a religious community), firing from their job or being rejected in love, there are a lot of people like this (overwhelmingly men, sadly) who react violently, as we are seeing on the news these days - attacking their former employer, former school/college, ex-partner or whatever.

Only the most vehement enemies of JWs - the sort who will use any negative story like this to attack them - are likely to get mileage from this story, unless something very different emerges.

However, how the Org or individual Witnesses themselves choose to react to this single incident will be interesting. Will they overreact/go overboard on security, or just recognise (as according to their understanding of the Bible) that this is just part of the 'times' we are living in?

EdenOne

According to media, the guy had been disfellowshipped since a year and half ago, but now comes back to revenge? Hmm ...

User "+" stated (in german) that his official disfellowshipping announcement was yesterday, March 9. So, I'm thinking here that a year and half ago he maybe was reproofed (dissenting views?) and ceased to attend meetings. But only with the publication of his book, last December, the elders had "hard evidence" of him becoming an apostate. So he was disfellowshipped. And, knowing the announcement was to be made on yesterday's meeting, he decided to take revenge?

ExBethelitenowPIMA

Possibilities-

Either he was disfellowshipped over a year ago and his attempt to be reinstated failed last night this is why he snapped,

or he got reproved over a year ago and it has gone on and on lots of meetings and shepherding calls which ultimately resulted in an announcement last night that he is no longer a JW, this is what made him snap.

I know from experience that these things can take a long time with two elders assigned to do an investigation and then report back to the body. Then they write to the branch who take ages to reply, it all takes a long time

Diogenesister

By everything I've read this man was severely mentally ill.

Any other religion would probably have seen the signs and referred him to mental health specialists etc. JW elders just disfellowship him for "apostasy".

Of course it's horrific and unconscionable. I'll get berated for saying this but I really do think the absurd obsession with sticking to "policy" rather than doing the compassionate thing has resulted in an absolute tragedy. Maybe this man was able to completely hide his mental illness from the elders, but I *very much doubt it*.

I'm not blaming anyone personally. I do think watchtower policy may have played a role.

EdenOne

The german public attorney mentioned that the suspect "left the congregation a year and half ago voluntarily, but not in good terms". What exactly does this mean? Did he simply become inactive and stopped attending, following maybe a reproof? Or did he disassociate himself?

Journeyman

The german public attorney mentioned that the suspect "left the congregation a year and half ago voluntarily, but not in good terms". What exactly does this mean?

Disassociated after a 'dispute' over teachings or reproof? Sounds plausible.

raymond frantz

There is no previous indication of a mental health issue and for all I care this anonymous letter is a jw invention to divert attention from their shunning policies , now is the time to hit the Watchtower hard not to look away

Balaamsass2

7:30 PST. Lots of unanswered questions. I just read the paper, and this is the New York Times story for this morning.

In years past I have known of more than a few people to react angrily when reproved or disfellowshiped...especially when issues of mental illness are not taken into consideration and kindness is not shown by elders.

Here is the link. Hopefully, it allows free viewing. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/10/world/europe/germany-shooting-jehovahs-witnesses.html?unlocked_article_code=WANVZxJz8Cnwvex0Pq9Qnx1M18Q0QYNNBLXD-xMj_JiGq_o2XhN3iZAcE6Hoe1ShELj40paqtDlmXLs14jgmOHYSteINnfzRHXnfL38KXGRxAXuVrP02nTxoYgv1iw3RoOOWlHyVSVPTbP2icwvzyGTtAZI9NOi2yqgRXq2UNH4MZm_8I4odqd7CQjQV6Dh3l8iqEGyDefabTqRHj-LTD8lrGVtDShhWQ2NzZrRck9T0OliIakB7U9mIWdv2KJ7bG8aaBjdeclknecNu7KkRFy24UH4IVcZA7YAjvoX43zJvxbx0xanM7WsfMitGQQlaTST81pfBlCikGVhZkbGAql_yIJ5RmSPTSGurwGLLjsx3tw&smid=url-share

Beth Sarim

Dont' feed the trolls coming on here.

Rattigan350

Published on jw website newsroom

On March 9, 2023, a shooter attacked the Hamburg-Winterhude Kingdom Hall after the midweek meeting had concluded. Sadly, four brothers, two sisters, and a sister’s unborn child were killed in this shooting. Several other brothers and sisters were injured. Local elders are providing spiritual comfort to the family members and friends of those affected. We appreciate the courageous help provided by the police and emergency services. Our prayers are with all those affected by the attack. We are confident that Jehovah, the God of peace, will continue to be a refuge and strength in this time of distress.—Psalm 9:9; 46:1; Philippians 4:9."

A shooter? Appreciate the courageous help by the police. Refuge and strength? huh?

Can they ever do anything without a script?

Mass Shooting at Kingdom Hall in Hamburg, Germany

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