Update on Oregon Murder/Suicide

by Farkel 4 Replies latest jw friends

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  Farkel

  I just finished watching the KOIN TV news in Portland. They had Patricia Garza on. She's an ex-JW who said she lost all friends when she left the dubs. They also interviewed a University Professor who mentioned that a number of other religions practice shunning, and how lost people become when they lose their religious "Daddy."

  The most startling information was that the police now believe that Robert Bryant did murder his family and kill himself, and that he had "planned it" for several days. He purchased ammunition shortly before the crime and went to bed with everyone else the night of the crime. He systematically, but quickly went into the other rooms and killed his family.

  The weirdest part was that he committed his crime on his wedding anniversary. The news commentator said that wedding anniversaries are only two types of recurring celebrations that dubs are allowed to celebrate, with the other one being the Memorial.

  The police still have not come up with a motive and are doubtful that they ever will.

  Farkel
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  jst2laws

  Farkel,

  I have not had the time nor mental energy lately to get into issues as I would like to. But this is a complex matter. Like the "Guns don't kill people, People do!" issue, what was the gun and who pulled the trigger here? If either one of the factors were missing the outcome would have been different. I hold the Borg responsible for the condition that seemed unbearable. But there must be other factors here contributing the this response to the 'seemingly unbearable'.

  My only regret is that we do not have contact with people like this so as to help them see there are others with them and we will support each other. I don't know how to reach these victims of the WT but feel this should be our priority.

  Jst2laws
• 

  Farkel

  jstlaws,

  : My only regret is that we do not have contact with people like this so as to help them see there are others with them and we will support each other.

  But we do. We do. I and many, many others spend plenty of time talking personally with some of these people, and we make ourselves available to anyone we think we can help.

  : I don't know how to reach these victims of the WT but feel this should be our priority.

  Well, this comment shall serve as notice for others who can use your help. To lurkers: I know jst2laws and he is a great resource whose just volunteered some of his time to help you. He knows all about the problems with the exit-process from the JWs and I vouch solidly for him. Just think about his name, "jst2laws." That should speak volumes about who he is.

  How's that, jst2laws? You might just get pretty busy shepherding the hurt sheep really soon!

  Farkel
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  DakotaRed

  While ultimately, it was Mr. Bryant who planned and pulled the trigger, news is coming to light as to what may have triggered such a severe psychosis in him. The KOIN news Report did mention that someone who already has mental difficulties can have them severely compounded by the practice of shunning. Simply becuase this man came to believe differently than his family and so called friends, he was booted out of the Shingle Springs Congregation adn ultimately, lost virtually all of his business customers, who mostly were also JWs. Add to that, his believing his family trying to take custody of his children (assumed to rasie them JW in spite of what he wished).

  Everyone knows how the JWs like to go behind DF'd and DA'd parent backs to in still JW beliefs in the grandchildren. That is direct interference in someones family and if a Baptist were doing it to a JW, it wouldn't be stood for.

  In addition, whether the man DA'd or agreed to a DFing, his whole world was turned upside down. Suddenly losing your family, friends, and means of support simply becuase you disagree with a religious belief can be a very traumatic experience. True, most don't go beserk and plan and carry out the murder of their families, but if he was already having mental troubles, all that could be enough to push him over the brink.

  The Watchtower should take a long look at their archaic practice of shunning and what harm it does to people. It is nothing more than another attempt at mind control and brainwashing. "Obey us, or lose everything you have!"

  No, the Watchtower didn't put the gun in his hand or pull the trigger, but then again, Tobacco companies don't put the cigarette in your mouth or light it either. But, they are held responsible, aren't they?

  The closing of the news segment said, "Several Fundamentalist groups practice shunning. They use it to keep the group morally pure and to pressure those who stray into repenting and coming back to the fold."

  If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?
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  dungbeetle

  I posted this on another thread, here it is for you:

  Let me explain it to you this Yadirf:

  When your car is broken, you take it to an auto mechanic and not to a carpenter.

  When your washing machine is broken, you call in an appliance repairperson and not the Catholic priest.

  When confronted with someone who is exhibiting symptoms of depressions, bi-polar disorder or other mental illness, Watchtower elders call in the literature, meetings and filed service instead of a physician and mental health professional.

  And we all know why.

  Hugs to everyone who posted on this thread.