Are Witnesses Losing Their Sanity?

metatron

In recent years, I'm hearing more and more stories that suggest
that the collective state of mental health among JWs may be
declining rapidly. I realize that sanity has never been that
strong a quality amidst the organization but I wonder if current
conditions are pushing many Witlesses over the edge. Consider:

The narrow and darkened view of the world held by Witnesses is
unchanged - "everything is getting worse", Satan's influence is
everywhere and 99.9% of the human race will be executed by God.
However, add to this the massive exodus of young people - and
NOW, occassional sudden defections of Witnesses who "turn apostate"
from internet exposure - and conditions become explosive.

In addition, the organization is suffering an exodus of elders
and others who would have acted as a moderating influence -
if they stayed as Witnesses. Rationality is walking out the door.

All said, I'm less and less surprized to hear more and more
stories of suicide, murder and general dementia.

Those whom the gods would destroy,
they first make mad.

metatron

nytelecom1

booooohahahha

let me see ...where is that dime so I can pay for
this professional analysis

metatron-"if i post this on the net it must be true, I'll
feel good about myself...and darn it..I'm worth it"

Room 215

HiMeta,
As I believe you once pointed out, an impressive case can be made for the argumenyt that of all times, the present one is the best of all in which to be alive.
Sadly, deprivation, injustice and famine doggedly persist; but these ills have afflicted all ages. On the positive side of the ledger, untold millions of ordinary humans enjoy a quality of life unimagined even by royalty just 80 or 100 years ago.
It's almost amusing to note how many, if not most, JWs react with annoyance when such observations are made in their presence.

openminded

nytelcom-"if I tell everyone on the web that im really good looking, it will compensate for my lack of intelligence and personality... it will make me feel better about myself"

metatron

nytelecom, as Bob Dylan once said

"You don't need a weatherman
to tell which way the wind blows"

I think the trend is there and as real as the desperation
felt. I'm hearing crazy stuff I've never heard before in all
my years as an elder or in Bethel. The multiple personality
and 'satanic abuse' fads in the organization are two examples.

metatron

ashitaka

Yes.

ashi

JBean

I say a resounding YES! Basically I believe it's because they're all getting very tired of the never ending circle of things they need to DO for the organization and also, I think they are all becoming a bit freaked out that the "end" hasn't arrived yet. At the last assembly I went to, I was chatting during the lunch break with a sister who I didn't know and she happened to mention how "... the end was sooooo close..." because of all the terrorism, etc. When I kindly disagreed and stated various points as to why... her eyes literally bulged and she kept saying "no, no, no... it's very close"... kind of like she was convincing herself of it. She really looked upset and anxious that I didn't fall into step and chant the same thing: it's close, it's close.... oh well. She abruptly ended our friendly conversation and didn't really look at me the entire rest of the day. If indeed it is almost here, well, shame on me. But if not... : )

nytelecom1

I'm hearing crazy stuff I've never heard before in all
my years as an elder or in Bethel.

of course you are...but then i'm only active in my cong...have a close friend in Patterson in the Service dept, ..have
family and friends back home...and friends around the country
all of which who are active...........but thats just me
in my little little world.

spacegirl

The JW lady that STILL comes round to visit is such a lovely little person. Our chats tend to be general talks about life the universe and everything BUT I can tell she is off her box and it makes me sad the Society are using people like her for their suspect purposes. She is very often miles away or spaced out. Normal topics of conversation seem to go over her head and it's seems as though the only thing that wakes her up is anything to do with the bible or the "END".

I think one thing we have to remember is that for lots of religious people (JW or otherwise) their life and religion is everything to them and most of them actually get something from it. It is fulfilling a need for a lot.

Being bilingual, I liken this to learning another language. After a while you start to RESPOND in the learned language quicker and quicker, then you start to THINK in the learned language and soon after you start to ASSUME the nationality of that language you have immersed yourself in. It becomes second nature ESPESCIALLY if you live in that country and your life is taking place there. Changing all that means leaving your adopted country, going back to your old language and leaving the friends that you made whilst you were there.

I feel sorry for them.

Spacegirl

metatron

Use some logic here - these people are clinging to a fantasy.
The organization is decaying. The leadership couldn't prophecy
their way out of a paper bag.

There's two ways to go - get out/drift away/get df'd
or
redouble your efforts, block out all contrary information,
isolate yourself.

For those who chose to 'remain faithful', it gets very grim.
That's why Witnesses may be losing it.

metatron (did I mention self mutilation syndrome and anorexia?)

Are Witnesses Losing Their Sanity?

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