Yesterday in the car group in service, 5 of us in one SUV. So someone says that on Friday, a worldly family member of their Bible study had died of a drug overdose. Then he said, "Well, that the protection that we have being in Jehovah's Organization."
Everyone agreed, including me. So then I said,"Hey, here's a question for you all. Why is it that a higher percentage of Witnesses die young than worldly people?" So the car group said, "I don't think that's true." So I said, "I think it really may be true. Witnesses don't die from drug overdoses or AIDS usually, but I heard that more Witnesses die young than worldly people. I heard it from a worldly surgeon and also from a Circuit Overseer. First of all, because of all the suicides. I know several Witnesses that committed suicide. And also diseases. The C.O. says maybe its because of stress. So many Witnesses get stressed and their immune systems break down. (I know, I was exaggerating)
So one of the brothers says, "I know that years ago we werent supposed to get psychiatric help if we were depressed, it was viewed as weak spirituality. And some committed suicide. But lately the Society has encouraged psychiatry."
And another bro says, "I dont think that's true. More Witnesses die young that worldly people? No way." I told him, "Yes its true. First, suicides. Also some die faithful because of not accepting blood. And others are stressed and tired and get sick a lot. Look how many are sick in our congregation."
So then the first bro says, "Yes, a lot of the bros and sis's in the congregation are sick. But maybe its because they were sick before they were Witnesses."
I said, "Yes, maybe. But its weird that so many Witnesses die. It seems like every month I hear of another Witness dying relatively young from something. But anyway, Jehovah will resurrect them. And I would never say that to a Bible study. I learned a long time ago to be discreet."
Little by little, in my congregation anyway, I am having fun trying to open minds, but undercover, on the outside I am always supporting the Slave.
BF