Yes, Scott, it's seriously messed up. When someone makes a mistake, give them such cold treatment they die, then celebrate a daydream about them returning one day - wouldn't have to return if they didn't die!
I thought suicide was such a sin, disrespecting the sanctity of life, that there was thought to probably be no hope of resurrection. The GB's lack of understanding of mental health just emphasises to me how they are stuck in the past - these are men who don't like the changes in the world, and hide in the organisation where they try to live like it's the 60s, before all those major changes to the world in the 70s. Hippies taking drugs wasn't very healthy, but with things such as mental health, these guys are so blind, even cruel - so much for holy spirit directing things - shouldn't God know his own creation and realise we sometimes can be unbalanced, and that it's not a decision of a healthy mind to kill one self, and that surely that can't withold someone with the resurrection (if there even is such a thing). Too many JWs have killed themselves, or more os had nervous breakdowns, severe depression, CFS etc.
I know brothers talk about 'rules not principles', but all that means is they pick which rules to follow and which to ignore, i.e. ignore their kids misdemeanours. What really needs to be done is some rules abolished or changed, such as a serious reform on disfellowshipping - it's one thing to be wary of a person for some conduct, for example discouraging your kids from hanging out with someone promoting drugs - it's another for the elders not to help that person. If I had a kid taking drugs, smoking, bing-drinking, something I thought was wrong, the door would be open to him to visit any when, as I would be looking for opportunities to help him, to encourage him to kick the habit. Even if he was in prison for murder, sure things wouldn't be the same between us, but he'd stil be my son. It's too much about keeping control of the congregation, kicking out any who don't follow rules, then others are worried they will get kicked out and get in line - companies do this to staff, but that's different, because they are not there to provide emotional support. If a company threw you out, friends and family may not be happy if it's because of a crime, etc., even say it you are stupid, but most people wouldn't just ignore you, but try to help you sort your life out.
