It just seems as though I know alot of Witness that I feel would be termed as being depressed.
2007-07-14 03:24:17 · 10 answers · asked by Gorilla 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
One indicator would be that years ago they used to tell us not to seek "worldly counseling" and that prayer, Bible study and meeting attendance would see us through any problem. And there were always the handy elders to confide in.
It was notable -- surprising really -- in the mid 1980s to see them start saying that it was okay to consult with a mental health professional.
The witness structure appeals in particular to those who have dealt with emotional abuse. Wives with domineering husbands. Children with abusive parents. The society becomes the great abusive parent-figure that they fear to upset.
2007-07-17 06:54:33 · answer #1 · answered by Suzanne 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We may never actually know. Many are advised by the local elders NOT to seek professional help as their counsel could lead them away from the organization.
DUH!!! any health professional would help someone escape a cult if given the chance.
A very dear friend of mine committed suicide. Many in the organization were shocked. I was not. Her husband was an elder and forbad her (at the advise from NY headquarters, the district and circuit overseers and other elders) to seek the assistance of a health professional. I saw it coming, but my hands were tied at the time and I could do nothing but watch it happen.
I too suffered depression, but I sought the assistance of a health professional. If I hadn't, I would not be here today. I told my husband at the time, who was also an elder, that IF I could find a way to kill myself that (1) my kids would not be the ones to find me, and (2) would actually work and not leave me a vegetable, I would have done it. He gave me NO help or advise to seek professional help. I did it through the grace and love and support of God (this I know now, but didn't at the time).
2007-07-16 13:30:23 · answer #2 · answered by Carol D 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I would say Chronic...how do you live under the pressure of being Perfect? I was raised a JW and Planned to end my life before Jehovah could kill me...this is NO overstatement.....I never, as a witness felt that i would ever survive Armageddon.
Not enough door to door service....5 meetings a week, plus personal Reading of Watchtower material...Family bible study....I use to pray for rain on Saturday mornings so I could watch cartoons, and then feel sinful for not wanting to go door to door.
No association with non witnesses...No sports...No holidays...I could go on and on...the Guilt was the worst...God knows what your thoughts are and if you think something wrong, then it is the same as doing something wrong......
People get upset when we call them a cult, but if you study mind control and cult activity, it fits like a glove.
I got good counseling and help with chronic depression for years Now I can say that for the first time in my life, i am mostly depression free..(off the meds) for a year..Praise God.
Hess says slander...That is the least he has said ever. But I say truth..no need to slander..the reality of it was bad enough.
2007-07-16 13:28:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
those numbers are taken of people who witness from door to door interior the sphere ministry & do no longer contain the form of assembly attendance or new births as we had over 19 million that got here to the passover, in easy terms baptized and unbaptized publishers are counted in those numbers. i've got herd people who ridicule say are form of boost is as a results of newborns yet that comes from people who're unaware of the place the variety comes from. (Psalm a million:a million-6) chuffed is the guy that has no longer walked interior the tips of the wicked ones, And interior the way of sinners has no longer stood, And interior the seat of ridiculers has no longer sat. 2 yet his satisfaction is interior the regulation of Jehovah, And in his regulation he reads in an undertone day and night. 3 And he will incredibly grow to be like a tree planted by streams of water, that provides its very own fruit in its season And the foliage of which does no longer wither, And each thing he does will prevail. 4 The wicked are unlike that, yet are in basic terms like the chaff that the wind drives away. 5 because of the fact of this the wicked ones won't get up interior the judgment, Nor sinners interior the assembly of righteous ones. 6 For Jehovah is taking awareness of ways of righteous ones, however the very way of wicked ones will perish.
2016-12-10 11:52:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally know some witnesses who are depressed. The religion with all it's rules, etc. will take all the joy out of a persons life. I am a Christian, and there is nothing like worshipping God, and having a personal relationship with Jesus,
.It is wonderful and very fulfilling, ( esp. after being in a similar cult like church for years. ) There is loving freedom in Christ.
2007-07-17 01:57:07 · answer #5 · answered by JoJoCieCie 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There is mental depression in all sects of religion. If JWs have a higher rate it could be because of the type of people that are drawn to this religion.
2007-07-14 03:38:41 · answer #6 · answered by Soul Shaper 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I've noticed that, but I think it's because they were depressed to start with. That is; being a Jehovah's witness appeals to depressed people.
2007-07-14 03:29:53 · answer #7 · answered by hog b 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Slander.
.
.
http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/
2007-07-14 19:26:11 · answer #8 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
they prey on weak minded people, so you are right, they look for weaknesses in a person they try to convert, it makes their job easier.
2007-07-14 06:13:35 · answer #9 · answered by beachy 6 · 5⤊ 3⤋
I don't know... but I would be depressed if I were that dumb
2007-07-14 03:40:50 · answer #10 · answered by vérité 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋