Jehovah's Witnesses... an honest question?

Question

I am not trying to change your faith at all... but I have two important questions (well two for now lol).

1. What is you opinion about an Australian study that proved JW's were more likely three times more likely to be diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia and nearly four times more likely from paranoid schizophrenia than the rest of the population at risk
Source : http://www.bibletopics.com/biblestu...

2. I have read the publication called "My Book of Bible Stories" that was given to my sister-in-law for her to read to her child, which horrified me . Some of the things I read about sexual relations between males and females, angels and men, touching each other's genitals and so on. This book is aimed at small children, as the Watchtower site says in the publications area of the site ~ http://www.watchtower.org/e/publica...
Do you think this is right to teach a young child sexual concepts at such an age, regardless of religion?

Another question... why won't any JW's respond intelligently to this question? Where'd they all go??

Well if one follow's the link then you can find an outline of the study...

Okay... so in response to that answer about the children needing to hear... does this mean JW's believe that such in depth sexual discussions are appropriate for children...? And that is supposed to be ok, and also makes people feel safe bring a child to a JW meeting, youth group? I couldn't leave my young child with people that see such discussions and material as appropriate for young children, but I assume you have reason's? I can't understand how that is healthy for a young child. Any further info would be appreciated, so I can get my mind around this. Thanks

Well I am not misleading the general public, I am
1. asking a valid question
2.informing the public of the content of the publications that you proudly distribute.

I personally feel that that information SHOULD be taught to a child, but appropriate to age and what THEY ask, not when the information would be inappropraite for their understanding as it may be harmful. If you could email me with more details that would be helpful, as I honestly want to understand the reasoning behind it!

Answer 1

I haven't had time to check out the study, I'll do so later.

To answer question 2, the way you have worded your question makes it sound shocking indeed (maybe that was your aim?)

If you read the Bible, you'll notice that Jehovah commanded all the Israelites—including their “little ones”—to listen to the reading of his Law, which included identification of proper and improper sexual conduct. (Deuteronomy 31:12; Leviticus 18:6-24) Take a glimpse at what the law included- bestiality, homosexuality, incest etc. It mentioned menstruation, penile emissions, child birth. Imagine how much explaining parents had to do back home at the end of the day!

Reproductive body parts are repeatedly mentioned, including “testicles” and “genital organ.” (Leviticus 15:1-3, 16; 21:20; 22:24; Numbers 25:8; Deuteronomy 23:10)

Because of the extreme corruption of today’s world, little ones need to know the proper and improper use of such body parts that are included in the creation that God called “very good.”—Genesis 1:31; 1 Corinthians 12:21-24.

Pedophiles take advantage of children who know nothing at all about sex, a child who is taught God's view of sex stands a better chance at avoiding being defiled (you know the victims are getting younger and younger, it's in the child's best interests in the end)

So stop trying to mislead the general public.

Besides there's a newer publication for children- 'Learning from the Great Teacher' that has more detail on how to avoid child abuse.

Answer 2

I think you have got the Books mixed up. The Book of Bible stories does not talk about the things you mentioned. Now in the Listening to the Great Teacher book, you will find mention of such things. This is to help the child discuss such things with the parent. It is meant as a protection because today children are easy targets for the paedophiles. With regard to the molesters within congregations. There are by no means as many as in say, The Roman Catholic church. The RC church has for decades abused children physically and sexually. In many cases with JWs, the accusers are those who have a grudge against the Organisation for one reason or another. I'm not saying it hasn't happened, but it has been known.
As regards the study on schizophrenia. I don't know of anyone and I have been in a number of congregations in 4 different countries.

Answer 3

Isn't that a very old article? Wasn't it biased against Jehovah's Witnesses and nothing every came of it. Some crazy doctor? Anyway, isn't the statistics 1 in 4 have mental problems today? I only know three people who are schizophrenic. Two are not Witnesses and the other one just became a Witness this year.

The Bible Story Book does not go into touching genitals. That is the Learning from the Great Teacher I believe and it's a chapter on how to protect children from child abuse. Believe me kids know so much today. One of my neighbors kids is eight and I was told by her Aunt that her Dad's screen saver is pornography. This little girl has a boyfriend and talks about making out with him. Her parents say they are going to put her on birth control when she's twelve. Is that being a good parent? Or is it better to teach your child the truth about sex, so they are protected against child abuse and so they will have a proper view of sex as adults.

Of course, it depends on a child's age on how detailed you would be with them. But telling your child that no one should ever touch them certain places and if they do they should tell. Is just being a good parent in today's world.

Answer 4

In answer to you 2nd question:

My wife is studying child psychology and she says that it's not harmful, simply because it's never too early to give your child sex education (however, it can be too late) ...and even if they don't really understand it, it's not doing any damage. Would you rather school kids educate your children?

As regards the Bible Story books content, it's not exactly graphic...and nowhere does it talk about genitals. When it talks about the demons coming to earth and having "sex" with woman, it says this was wrong.

A better question would be, "why do adults expose children to half naked/naked woman in the media etc?"

The Bible Stories book is not porn.

The Great Teacher book has a chapter on how to protect children from child abuse and it goes into details... so your point is? Surely you do understand?

Would you WAIT until your CHILD asks "why some old guy touches them?" Isn't it better to educate your child on what's right and wrong BEFORE something bad happens and they start to ask questions?

Answer 5

I will answer your first 3 queries.

First, I have heard of such study and yet I saw NO absolute proof. I am schizophrenic, and don't think I know any other Witnesses who are. Honestly, most of the people I meet, who aren't Witnesses, have at least one relative that is Schizo.
I lived under high power lines all my growing up years, as I understand this is a likely cause of such problems.

As for My Book of Bible Stories, no where does the book refer directly to the fondeling of genitals. It does tell the stories of such things as the nephilam, who were created when Angels decided to have sex with women. The stories, as you know, are very vauge in details but simply provide accurate stories from the Bible.

As for why no Witnesses had responded to your query, it was only up for an hour when I found it. Give it time, I sometimes don't find a question for days after it lists.

Answer 6

Yes, in your great haste to denigrate Jehovah's Witnesses, you have your books mixed up.

And your link to the schizophrenia study does not work. Even so, many questions must be asked of such a study, which go to its objectivity and the extensiveness and quality of its data. In the end, it may be no more than opinion.

The book you intended to mention, but got wrong, is designed for PARENTS to discuss these matters in private study with their children. Children at earlier and earlier ages are being exposed to sexual pressure at school and elsewhere. It benefits them to know how to protect themselves from predators.

The Noisy Goats calling themselves "silentlambs" are mere propagandists who are misusing the suffering of victims of sexual abuse. Their real purpose is not to help the victims of such abuse, but to vilify Jehovah's Witnesses. They are useless. Jehovah's Witnesses are not perfect, but we now have the strongest anti-pedophile policies in place of any religion, which is zero-tolerance.

Objectivity would be appreciated, rather than a shameless rush to cast aspersions. At least get the facts straight first.

Answer 7

OK, so which one of the Bible stories are you talking about? The only terminology that I see is 'lie down with' and how only married men and women are supposed to 'lie down' together...As far as the story about the Angels, it speaks of them, 'seeing the pretty women and wanting to live with them, so they come down to the Earth and marry the women and have children.'
I haven't seen anything about anyone "touching" each other.

Now, if you are speaking of the "Learn from the Great Teacher" book, there is a chapter in there that is used to open a conversation with our children to discuss the dangers of child abuse and how no one should touch you inappropriately. Is it unfortunate that our children have to learn these kinds of things? Absolutely, but in the society that we live in, knowledge protects our children.

From the time my children were infants I followed the suggestions from child care specialists who recommended teaching "proper names" for body parts. So my sons learned; 'where is your head, your fingers, your nose, your p*nis'.

Personally, I would rather be the one teaching my children these things. You would be surprised the things that kindergarteners 'know' nowdays, because a lot of parents could care less about what they watch in front of thier children. Unfortunate, but true.

As far as the first part of your question...LOL Sorry for laughing, but how many of the over 6 million Jehovah's Witnesses have schizophrenia? I personally know of 2. Anyone can "prove" anything with a "study". Have you ever checked out pubmed.org ? One study proves that coffee is bad for you, another study proves it extends your life.....There are studies that suggest schizophrenia is caused by heavy metal toxicity, or lack of vitamin B3 or mineral difficencies.

Answer 8

[1] Thats their opinion and not a fact. I wonder what happen to the study that stated cell phones caused cancer..

[2]

Ephesians 6:4
4 And YOU, fathers, do not be irritating YOUR children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah.

2 Timothy 3:14-15
14 You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what persons you learned them 15 and that from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus.

As stated in the Bible, children are never too young to know what the Bible contains. Even though some people may think its too early to teach a child these things, God makes it clear that we should teach them even from infancy.


[Update:]

I just noticed that too... theres nothing in the Book that talks about "teaching each other's genitals"..

Answer 9

I loved the report that said if your initials spelled a negative word such as:

MAD, SAD, YUK, you would die 5 years earlier than those whose initals didn't spell anything.

and if your initials spelled a positive word you would live 5 years longer, making your initials add 10 years to you life span.

.

Answer 10

Regarding the Australian study: I have heard such allegations in the past and although I have not read the study, my first impression is that it is dubious at best. Any study which labels one "group" or "religion" or "ethnicity" as "three times more likely to be diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia and nearly four times more likely from paranoid schizophrenia than the rest of the population at risk" is, at the very least of it, suspect.


Regarding the My Book of Bible Stories and its contents: At Deuteronomy 31:10-12 we read in the NIV: "Then Moses commanded them: "At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the people--men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns--so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law." The Hebrew word rendered "children" is taph. It means children, little children, little ones. It carries the thought of those who go trippingly on the feet, toddlers, in other words. The entire law was to be read to the children. Why? In order that they would learn to obey God. What was included in that reading? All the law on sexual matters, which included sex between married people, unlawful sexual relations with animals and so on. God required the children to hear. Since God felt they ought to hear it, I think it is proper.

Hannah J Paul

EDIT:


Again, it is God who commands that the children be among all taught His law. In Deuteronomy 22 we find the law on sex crimes. It gives the law concerning rape, prostitution, and sexual intimacy between people of the same gender. Leviticus chapter 18 deals with God's law on sodomy, bestiality. Chapter 20 deals with adultery, incest and the punishments for same. If it is God who commanded such things be taught so that children could learn and obey, how can I possibly think I know better? If I reject this, am I not saying, in effect, that I know better than God? It is perfectly proper to discuss such things with children without frightening them. There is nothing prudish in the Bible about sexual matters. God did not think it improper. I therefore ask again, how can I?