Where Are All The "Happy" Witnesses????????? :( (page 3)

95stormfront

I see this in my wife and in-laws and it's a sad thing to watch.

I have an in-law whose been "in da troof" for the better part of his life, whose prostate and diabetic problems have almost killed him numerous times, has since been removed as an elder for reasons both he and his wife refuse to discuss, who kept his kids from participating in sports or any other afterschool activity or furthering their education because they wouldn't need it since this system was due to close still trudging along waiting for the "end" to come. His wife, with bad hips and knees damn near unable to move herself and they're both still talking and waiting on that "new system".

My wife......I get to watch her today when I get home go through the ritualistic chore of getting ready for yet another "meeting", leaving the house with the tired look on her that says "you really should be going with me". She is one of those type of people that if she has to do something she really would rather not do, instead of just not doing it she'll try to get as many people as she can to do it with her. The old "misery loves company" types.

She just bristles at the thought of me out having fun while she's at the meeting.

I can see the look on her that she'd really not go to meetings, but the brainwashing is so strong......

undercover

I do see happy JWs. The thing is that JWs are no different in this aspect than any one else. Some are happy, some are sad, some are depressed, some are delusional.

Some people love being a JW, they have found their religion that makes them happy and satisfied. Despite all the problems and issues that we have discovered with the WTS, if they're happy and it doesn't affect me, who am I to worry about it? If they're happy, fine. I hope it works out for them.

What does concern me are those who aren't happy, but can't do anything about it. They're stuck, because deep down they know something ain't right but they have no where to turn, no one to turn to and become more and more miserable. The religion doesn't allow dissention, doesn't allow self-expression, doesn't allow anyone to leave without repurcussions. Hopefully the Internet and sites like this will help those people to see that they aren't alone and can find help and comfort.

Ingenuous

When I was in, I was suffering depression and anxiety. I slowly learned that depression is rampant among the Friends, but that most are putting on a show to hide it. There is still a horrendous amount of ignorance surrounding mental illness within the Org and little sympathy. I learned of a Witness counselor who was booked solid with an all-Witness clientele. Not only are people getting ill, but they are likely uncomfortable going to a non-Witness counselor. And, having seen what happened with my sister and her counselor, all it takes is one run-in with a counselor who suggests the religion could be causing some problems to turn many Witnesses off the idea of going to one. Many who are ill are so under-educated about their condition that they don't know how to work with a doctor to find the right meds.

The happiest seem to be the least likely to think too hard about the whole situation.

Apostanator

Honestly....the only happy witnesses are the pedophile witnesses who know they are protected in their pedophile paradise.

freedom96

They all have that carrot hanging in front of them. After some point, perhaps different for all, it is going to be a burden to keep pursuing that carrot.

exjdub

About six months ago my wife flew home to visit her family. She spent quite some time with her sister, who is still a Dub, one day. As they were walking along the conversation went something like this:

Wife: How have you been "sisterstillinthetruth?"

sisterstillinthetruth: Well, hubby (he is "worldly") has cancer and we are not sure if he is going to live and he is not able to work building houses because he is so sick from chemotherapy. I am working as a nurses aid, but I don't make enough money to support us, so we may have to sell the house and move in an apartment. I am on depression medication and I am so tired. All of my sons have fallen away from the "Truth" and two of them are getting divorces, so I don't see the grandkids very much anymore. But Jehovah has blessed me every step of the way.

Wife: Are you receiving help from the congregation?

sisterstillinthetruth: No, but the Brothers are just so busy taking care of the congregation.

Wife: (speechless)

I don't believe this is a unique circumstance. It is hard to watch, and I feel bad, despite the fact that my sister-in-law can be obnoxious about the "Truth". The funny thing is that right after she said the above, she asked my wife why we were not "returning to the Truth." It would be hilarious, were it not so tragic.

exjdub

Dansk

I've never seen a sadder, more neurotic or suicidal bunch in my life.

Got it in a sentence!

Ian

blondie

sisterstillinthetruth: Well, hubby (he is "worldly") has cancer and we are not sure if he is going to live and he is not able to work building houses because he is so sick from chemotherapy. I am working as a nurses aid, but I don't make enough money to support us, so we may have to sell the house and move in an apartment. I am on depression medication and I am so tired. All of my sons have fallen away from the "Truth" and two of them are getting divorces, so I don't see the grandkids very much anymore. But Jehovah has blessed me every step of the way.
Wife: Are you receiving help from the congregation?
sisterstillinthetruth: No, but the Brothers are just so busy taking care of the congregation.

Perfect scenario. I have heard it played out from the various active JWs I still see. I wonder who the brothers are taking care of. What she means is they are so busy filling out paperwork (time report), conducting meetings, giving talks from the platform, they have no time to talk to the people even the ones who are at the meetings let alone the ones who are missing.
Blondie

coffee_black

Great thread...

I don't have much direct contact with the jws any more. (I was last in line of 3 generations of jws...all dead now but me) I left in the early 90s and noticed the unhappiness back then. I remember happy jws as I was growing up...lots of them, including my family. I think this is something that has changed slowly over the years. The happiness and hope have been replaced by control, doubt and paranoia....

Coffee

exjdub

Perfect scenario. I have heard it played out from the various active JWs I still see. I wonder who the brothers are taking care of. What she means is they are so busy filling out paperwork (time report), conducting meetings, giving talks from the platform, they have no time to talk to the people even the ones who are at the meetings let alone the ones who are missing.

That along with a callous disregard and a lack of compassion, at least it was where I was from. The "Brothers" I knew barely spent time on their talks. A lot of "winging it" in New Hampshire congregations. The elders where I was from were always foisting their responsibilities on us ministerial servants.

exjdub

Where Are All The "Happy" Witnesses????????? :(

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