Professional Mental Health Advisors...

by zeroday 8 Replies latest jw friends

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  zeroday

  I have a cousin who has been an Elder for many years. Many times his wife has approached the body of elders seeking marital counseling. It would appear being a "GOD" over the family was more important than being a loving spouse. Anyway, everytime she would approach the elders with a plea for help they would go to him and say, "We understand your wife is requesting maritial counseling" to which he would reply, "THERE IS NO PROBLEM" and the matter was dropped never to be revisited. It's interesting the Watchtower, being the MOUTH PIECE of GOD is relying on "Janitors, Apartment Maintence men and used car sales men" to handle such delicate and serious mental health problems.

  Just an observation....
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  Lady Lee

  It's interesting the Watchtower, being the MOUTH PIECE of GOD is relying on "Janitors, Apartment Maintence men and used car sales men" to handle such delicate and serious mental health problems

  Well in this case at least, they aren't providing counseling, which is a good thing
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  jeanniebeanz

  I went to the Willits, CA elders for years and tried to get their help since my ex was an abuser. That was their response to my plea's as well.
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  garybuss

  I was married by a Chevy auto mechanic in the basement of a hardware store and I didn't see one single solitary thing wrong with that picture.
  
  
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  Little Drummer Boy

  It's interesting the Watchtower, being the MOUTH PIECE of GOD is relying on "Janitors, Apartment Maintence men and used car sales men" to handle such delicate and serious mental health problems

  I have been seeing this certain attitude expressed in a lot of posts on many threads, and I guess I just can't hold my tongue any longer.

  Higher education is a no-no. Obviously not many will break the rules and do it anyway and become doctors, etc. What jobs could they have that would meet your standards? You are equating career choice with intelligence and perception.

  I cleaned offices for 12 years while I was a dub. I have an IQ of 146. There isn't anything wrong with cleaning toilets, fixing furnaces, or selling cars. Just with people who think there is something wrong with those things. Couldn't you have just refered to (and think of) the elders as men who aren't normally educated or trained to be counselors without bringing in the thought that since they tend to have certain jobs that they are stupid (that is what you are implying whether you would like to admit it or not)? My observation has always been that the membership is fairly representative of the general population as a whole as far as intelligence is concerned. It is just that since witnesses choose to not pursue higher education they must choose jobs that dont't require a degree. In other words they aren't any more or less intelligent than a non-witness, but just limited in job choices. Why two people would think they could get proper marriage counseling from the elders is beyond me. Sure they can share scripture which might give insights. They might pray with the couple and try to help them gain peace. But real counseling? Nah.

  I just know I'm gonna regret making this post but I can't help myself.
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  exwitless

  Woo hoo, LDB. Well put! If I learned anything from being a JW, it would be NOT to judge people's intelligence and self-worth based on their employment choices, size of home, etc. We gave up so much to be JWs: good paying jobs, college opportunities, etc. This is what all JWs are expected to do, to not be materialistic, to be self-sufficient, and to be satisfied with having what is needed, not what is wanted. I guarantee that the lawers, doctors, etc. who provide assistance to the WT society were established in their professions before becoming dubs. Anyway, back to the counseling part, it is true that the elders are not qualified to counsel, but neither are the clergy of any other religion, unless they are counselors by trade. If one wants real help, one should seek PROFESSIONAL help.
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  zeroday

  There isn't anything wrong with cleaning toilets, fixing furnaces, or selling cars. Just with people who think there is something wrong with those things.

  Never said anything was wrong with these professions but when said job holders claim to have superior knowledge when it comes to mental health issues and DESTROY lives in the process then I have a problem with it. Would you go to a janitor for your heart bypass.
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  carla

  but neither are the clergy of any other religion, unless they are counselors by trade.---You are mistaken, most clergy from other faiths are educated in counseling, it is part of their education as ministers. Along with Greek, Hebrew and biblical EDUCATION by qualified scholars, they are required to take psychology classes and classes on counseling. It is understood that it is part of their job, to counsel people for all kinds of problems. Some are geared to childrens psychology others to martial relationships and so on.

  I wish ex's would understand that when people say comments such as 'the window washer' and the like, they merely mean they are not qualified to counsel anybody about anything. The damage is obvious from this site and the many others out there like it. The lack of education is going to be sore spot for many ex jw's as their lives were affected by the ban on education. It is only natural that they feel anger about the situation. Ever wonder if the wt had in its midst a person who had the capability to cure cancer, the next Einstein, DaVinci, or any of the great minds? How much damage has the wt done to the human race by not allowing a member to use their God given talents?

  If one wants real help, one should seek PROFESSIONAL help. --Amen.
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  Stephanus

  (removed)