WT Video on how to handle JWs contemplating suicide

Oubliette

http://www.mediafire.com/watch/cvas6fcrc9zca94/Shepherding_instructional_Suicidal_Widow.avi

I just watched beginning of the recently leaked video produced by the WTBTS allegedly instructing elders how to treat JWs contemplating suicide. I am so apalled I cannot even begin to describe it!

I can only imagine the immense damage that will result from elders being taught to handle serious emotional issues this way!

Mary, sobbing: "It feels like my heart is being ripped out of my chest all over again."
Elder, impatiently: "It's been a year now Mary. You shouldn't be this upset still!"

In response to her admission of thoughts of suicide, the very first bit of "counsel" the elder gives her is a reference to an OT scripture saying she shouldn't commit suicide because it would be against God's law, (Exodus 20). Unbelievable!?! Completely WTF!

Next, after giving this poor grieving woman a whopping 2:15" of his time, this tool of an elder leaves her alone in the KH library! More WTF?!?

This woman just confided that she wants to kill herself and this "brother" can't be bothered to give her even a few minutes.

Is this really supposed to be an example of compassion and love? It most clearly is NOT!

This is really disgusting! It is incomprehensible that this is being set out as an example of how elders should "shepherd the flock of God."

The WT leaders are not only clueless, they are instructing their elders to handle serious issues in ways that are very damaging.

Oubliette

OK, I got a little further and found out that the beginning was supposed to be an example of How-Not-To shepherd. Let's see if the How-To is any better!

breakfast of champions

Just like to point out that the first part of the video was what you are NOT supposed to do (go alone into back room with sister, touch sister's hand, tell them suicide is murder etc).

Part 2 is supposed to be the RIGHT way to handle to situation (2 elders present, no touching the sister) In the end, they even get the "right" way so wrong it's hard to tell what the hell is going on.

[edit: yeah, part two ( the How-To section) will leave you utterly disgusted. I guarantee it.]

Oubliette

BOC, thanks, I noticed that about the time you posted. See my second comment immediately above ^^^^^ yours.

I'm watching the rest now. It's really difficult to watch:

Here is the elders' plan: Share a Bible verse or two ... "and perhaps a magazine article ... that could help her strengthen her determintation to be an integrity keeper!"

WTF?!? As if been depressed and having suicidal thoughts mean someone has compromised their integrity?!?

These guys really should not play at psychotherapy. It's way above their paygrade.

Oubliette

Continuing ...

Elder, "When such a thought (of suicide) comes to mind, treat it as you would an immoral thought. ... Repeat to yourself, 'I am an integrity keeper, I am an integrity keeper!'"

Yeah, that'll make it all better. NOT!

As if being depressed is equivalent to being immoral. Suggesting that to a depressed person will probably only make them more depressed!

Too weird, creepy weird!

The absence of any suggestion to seek professional help from someone actually trained to deal with depression and suicidal thoughts is very telling. It is also completely irresponsible.

This is a very dangerous video.

I wonder if the WTBTS could be prosecuted for attempting to practice psychotherapy without a license ...

breakfast of champions

To call these people amateurs is giving them too much respect.

Complete hacks.

Hell of an "education" system they got there.

breakfast of champions

The absence of any suggestion to seek professional help from someone actually trained to deal with depression and suicidal thoughts is very telling. It is also completely irresponsible

Yes, I think that is a major point, one that was not lost on my wife.

frankiespeakin

This video is a shining/dark example of the impracticality of giving advice to those contemplating suicide when those giving the advice are steeped in a delusional fixation over a supposed/purely imaginary friend/deity which is really nothing other than a corporational sock puppet called Jehovah. No comfort that is real or tangable just wishfull thinking filled with the magical idea that some how the magical Deity called Jehovah has all the answers to all their problems. Not a very good or to be trusted coping mechanism. Seems like lots of JW are in the throws of depression because of chasing after a dream of everlasting life free from all troubles, a real pie in the sky type scenerio.

frankiespeakin

Also for elders to give good council they need to address their own denial issues such, as all the many dates that have been given for the suppose end of the world predictions give by the corporation they represent which they look to as 'god's organization' and the claims of the corporations CEOs/Govering Body to be this Imaginary Faithful and Discreet Slave of god almighty, before they can even accurately address the issues of suicide amoung its members before they can ever hope to give any reliable advice to a suicidal person. This video is like comitting manslaughter these guys who made it are sick and delusional.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manslaughter

Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is sometimes said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Draco in the 7th century BCE. [1] However, Biblical references were made prior to this that differentiate unintentional killing due to accident, and premeditated killing. [2]

The definition of manslaughter differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The law generally differentiates between levels of criminal culpability based on themens rea, or state of mind; or the circumstances under which the killing occurred (mitigating factors). Manslaughter is usually broken down into two distinct categories: voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter; however, this is not the case in all jurisdictions. [3]

In some jurisdictions, such as the UK, Canada and some Australian states provocation (or "loss of control" in English law) is a partial defence to a charge of murder which acts by converting what would otherwise have been murder into manslaughter.

minimus

LAWSUITS!!!!

This will kill the Organization/elders.

They are clearly NOT QUALIFIED to handle this.

WT Video on how to handle JWs contemplating suicide

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