Why Is Alcoholism Deeply Embeded In JW Culture? (page 4)

designs

never- I can give you 37 years worth of personal experience (the time I was a JW) on the alcohol culture. General population wise about 20% of the population have a dependency problem with alcohol and 10% suffer a severe addiction.

steve2

never a jw - I would usually also urge caution about translating anecdotal evidence into empirical evidence. That said, your comment cautioning whether JWs problems with alcohol could be no greater than in the general population deserves comment. Of course, "population" problems with alcohol differ vastly both within and across different countries. What a highly variable yardstick!

Besides, to suggest JWs drinking is no greater than their respective secular communities is damning the Witnesses with very faint praise surely! These are "Christians" who make high and mighty claims to having the "truth" and "having standards" and who deplore the standards and morals of the churches of Christendom. Yikes! As they say, 'you makka da high and mighty claims, you get inspected close-up' - simple as that.

Hortensia

because people who are deeply unhappy often self-medicate

Bungi Bill

I was introduced to alcohol by the brother who "brought me into the truth", as JWs like to say. And oh, boy, did I prove to be a a quick learner!

Further to never a jw's remarks, the district I grew up had a rather notorious reputation for alcohol abuse. Even if drinking amongst the JWs was "no worse than the population in general", that would still put them well inside the category of heavy boozers.

Bill.

new hope and happiness

Hortida... that is a good comment.

digderidoo

Alcoholism is embedded in all cultures and has no boundaries. It is not exclusive to JW's, but shouldn't be a surprise that it affects a portion of them. Whether alcoholism affects a higher proportion of JW's than the rest of the population is the real question and one that I think is doubtful.

designs

dig- It may not be a higher percentage than the general population but in terms of dealing with it there are subtle and obvert pressures not to seek help. whe I sought help I had no support or encouragement to go to counseling or to meet with outside support groups. Most churches in town here have inhouse support groups for their members on a range of issues.

digderidoo

I agree design. Elders in general, are not equipped to deal with alcoholism and outside support groups such as AA are not encouraged. However whether this means alcoholism is embedded in JW culture I find doubtful.

Finkelstein

Rampant alcoholism is not deeply rooted into JWS culture but that doesn't mean there isn't some abuse

which realistically be seen.

It seems this is just one bit of fun the WTS. heads has left open.

.

I was introduced into alcohol myself in a big way when I move into a JWs man/father home.

He spent most evenings at his fully stocked bar he had in his home.

I moved into his home as a teen because my JW father would occasionally beat me up.

From one corrupt place to another unfortunately.

hamsterbait

For single people the sheer frustration of loneliness, in the midst of meaningless unfulfilling friendships, the constant put downs of not being good enough, the contradtictions, the nagging fear that after all the changes maybe you have wasted your life.

No time or money for anything else - booze is cheap. Drowning your sorrows and disappointments. need I go on?

HB

Why Is Alcoholism Deeply Embeded In JW Culture?

Share this