Being JW and Psychiatry

by prophecor 18 Replies latest watchtower bible

garybuss

prophecor, That's exactly it. If you do a search on post incarceration syndrome, you will be able to list our symptoms from leaving the Witness incarceration right beside institutional poisoner's exit symptoms.
pc

Prophecor
The whole indoctrination of JW's makes people mentally ill. I was raised a JW and faded many years ago, but still stayed partially connected to it. It's the belief that everything is going to end and hopefully you'll make it leaves a person with no ambitions. After stumbling upon this site and finding out all the deception it was really depressing. Now I feel so free!!! I realize I was brainwashed meeting after meeting of that same repetitive BULLS$HT. That is the reason for all the mental illness and depression that surrounds them. PC
frankiespeakin

When I was growing up I did think about death but not as much as when I became a JW,, that's what hooks people,,they keep bringing up the subject of being obediant to Jehovah and it always bringing up that we don't want to be among those that will be killed by God's executional forces at armadedon,,nothing to do with love and goodness,,instilled in you is the fear that everybody,, all you friends will be living forever while you lie dead in the ground if your not faithful to Jehovah(WT).
If a person spends 30 years listening to that bull crap and beleiving it,,he has formed a thought patern that is hard to shake all at once,,but once you start, everything in your life now starts to take on new meaning.
I remember reading articles on JWD and thinking that many of the posters were pure genus because they were able to point out all the flaws in the WT teachings,,now after 4 years out, they don't seem like genius, anymore just people with some good common sense,,and because this critical thinking has become a part of me I think less and less like a JW every day. For me a big step came when I finally seen the Bible as myths and stopped trying to live my life like the mean diety called Jehovah wanted me to. I was no longer abliged to make the scripture make sense or into a doctrine to live by,,that was a burden lifted.
You know haveing a angry god to worry about doesn't really make people happy even though they say they are for fear they may displease this tempremental god. Oh yes and you must alway be in agreement with his judgements and say they are loving or else you're dead meat.
Scully

One of the underlying themes in WTS teachings is to Put Kingdom Interests First?. I'm sure there are countless examples in the publications over the years where JWs are encouraged to forsake their own best interests and invest in the furthering of the WTS's interests. The carrot-on-the-stick that compels JWs to put their own self-interests on the back burner is, of course, the prospect of Living Forever In Paradise On Earth?.
At the same time, the WTS beats JWs over the head with impossible standards, such as being Self-Sacrificing?, Storing Up Treasures In Heaven and Not On Earth?, Do Not Think More Of Himself Than Is Necessary?, inducing feelings of guilt when someone puts their own or their family's needs ahead of the WTS and its rigorous hamster wheel of activity. A person's self-esteem gets so beaten up as a JW, it's no wonder that so many of them feel depressed and unworthy of anything better. If a fabulous high-paying job with bankers' hours doesn't fall out of the sky while they are Pioneering? (Thank You Jehovah!!) then they are being materialistic if they pursue anything of their own volition beyond cleaning contracts.
Here's a classic WTS reference:
***
w68 3/15 pp. 182-187 Do Not Think More of Yourself than Is Necessary ***
Do
Not Think More of Yourself than Is Necessary
"I TELL everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think; but to think so as to have a sound mind."?Rom. 12:3.
Throughout God?s Word, the Christian is admonished to acquire and maintain a balanced perspective of himself. While it is necessary for the Christian to think of himself sufficiently to take care of his mind and body and use them in the right way, it is vital for him not to go beyond that. He is not to think more of himself than is necessary.
If a person thinks too much of himself, he will be in danger of becoming conceited, proud, unloving. He will be too interested in his own desires and will not be concerned enough about others. Then he will find it difficult to obey the divine command to "love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind" and to "love your neighbor as yourself."?Matt. 22:37-39.
CULTIVATING
RIGHT QUALITIES
Among the many qualities that help the Christian not to think more of himself than is necessary are submissiveness and humility. The submissive Christian is always learning from God?s Word and applying what he learns to his own life. He eagerly does God?s will as it is progressively revealed through Jehovah?s visible organization.
To be submissive to Jehovah and his arrangements, the Christian needs humility. Being humble is the opposite of being proud. A humble person does not have an inflated opinion of himself. He is not overly assertive in manner or spirit. He is moderate, not presuming too much, not being vain or conceited. He is kind, mild-tempered.
Thus, the person who has the right viewpoint of himself, God?s viewpoint, will cultivate humility, for that is the quality that makes submissiveness to Jehovah and his arrangements a pleasure. It is the proud, arrogant person who does not want to submit to Jehovah?s righteous requirements. But "everyone that is proud in heart is something detestable to Jehovah."?Prov. 16:5.
Since humility and submissiveness go hand in hand toward maintaining the balanced perspective of not thinking more of oneself than is necessary, they are qualities to strive diligently to acquire and improve. And what better time is there to begin acquiring them than in youth?
CHRISTIAN
YOUNG TAUGHT TO KEEP PLACE
Christian parents have a marvelous opportunity to mold the minds of their children in the right direction in this matter. If they teach their children not to think more of themselves than is necessary, their young ones will likely grow up to be mature Christian adults who have the balanced perspective of themselves. The Bible states: "Train up a boy according to the way for him; even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it." (Prov. 22:6) Because "foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy," children will need to be taught how not to think more of themselves than is necessary. As they learn this, they can be encouraged to apply it in their everyday lives.?Prov. 22:15.
On occasion, young ones who have been taught God?s purposes are in a position to make expressions in school on the Bible?s view of certain matters. These Christian children have God?s truths. They know right from wrong on many matters as a result of their Biblical training. They are able to correct certain mistaken beliefs on the part of others, including students and even teachers. However, they must be taught to make their expressions with respectfulness. Jehovah?s Word counsels: "Sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect."?1 Pet. 3:15.
If the Christian youth answers in this way, others will observe that increased knowledge has not made him proud or arrogant, as it often does those not tempered by godly principles. Honest-hearted persons, young and old, who observe the humble, sincere, respectful and polite manner of the Christian youth are impressed by these qualities and may look more favorably on his Christian faith.
At times, a young person may be taught from God?s Word by one parent only, because the other parent is not a dedicated Christian. The young person needs to be taught not to become disrespectful toward the unbelieving parent. How would a father view the Bible if he observed his children studying it with the mother, yet noted that they were becoming hostile to him? No, the young Christian should grow in respectfulness toward his parents even if they do not believe as he does. God?s Word says: "You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord." (Col. 3:20) Treating an unbelieving parent with respect may influence him to investigate the faith of the child whom he observes being changed for the better.
OLDER
ONES ACQUIRE NEW PERSONALITY
Older persons also need to appreciate that the truths of God?s Word are not freely dispensed by the Creator to make persons proud or elevate them above their fellowman. They are to do the opposite. They are to make persons humble, respectful, submissive, loving. Of all Christians, regardless of age, it is true that they are not to think more of themselves than is necessary, for if the spirit of God is active in their lives, then that spirit will produce the fruitage of "love, . . . long-suffering, kindness, goodness, . . . mildness, self-control."?Gal. 5:22, 23.
This fruitage gradually will change the personality for the good. That is why the apostle Paul could confidently recommend: "Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it, . . . clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. . . . But, besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union."?Col. 3:9-14.
Christians who work diligently to develop such a new, godly personality will not look down on their fellowman. They will not be rude or insulting even to those who oppose them because of their bearing Jehovah?s name. Rather, they will "always pursue what is good toward one another and to all others." (1 Thess. 5:14, 15) They will be careful not to build themselves up at the expense of others, either by competing with them or by downgrading them in the eyes of others. Neither will they strive for prominence or glory. Instead, humbly they will look for ways to build up others. "Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person."?1 Cor. 10:24.
AVOIDING
PRIDE OF WEALTH
Some Christians have more of this world?s material goods than other Christians. Should this induce them to think they are better than their Christian brothers who have much less?
The well-to-do Christian must appreciate that his abundance of material possessions is not a direct gift from Jehovah. If this were a reward for faithfulness, then there would be no Christian anywhere in the world who would have little of this world?s goods. But those who are most active in seeking first Jehovah?s kingdom interests are usually ones who have just enough of this world?s goods to sustain their daily living.?Matt. 6:9, 10.
Paul shows how to regard material possessions when he states: "Brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who . . . buy [be] as those not possessing, and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing." (1 Cor. 7:29-31) It is wise not to put too much stock in material wealth, for one cannot know if he will still have it tomorrow. And at Armageddon, all of this world?s financial systems will dissolve. (Zeph. 1:18) In Jehovah?s new system, the use of earth?s resources will be directed by God?s heavenly kingdom. Through it Jehovah will make distribution of material wealth as it pleases him for the benefit of all, not for just a few. Thus, Paul counsels: "Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, . . . to be liberal, ready to share."?1 Tim. 6:17, 18.
So while today wealth can be used properly to advance Kingdom interests, it can also become a divisive factor. But with the right viewpoint, one who has more will appreciate that he is not better than his Christian brothers who have less, and that "even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses."?Luke 12:15.
MINISTERIAL SERVANTS
In each of the more than 25,000 congregations of Jehovah?s witnesses throughout the earth there are men who have spiritual qualifications and who have been appointed to positions of responsibility. They are ministerial servants. (1 Tim. 3:8-10, 12, 13) These Christians particularly must be aware at all times that they should not think more of themselves than is necessary, as their conduct can affect many others.
Because of a person?s background, training, or education, he may have made rapid advancement, being appointed as a servant sooner than someone else who takes longer to mature spiritually. Never should the ministerial servant think he is better than that humble, slower one who perhaps has had less formal schooling. Accurate knowledge is a necessity, but if it does not motivate one to right conduct toward his Christian brothers, it is vain. "?Knowledge? breeds conceit; it is love that builds. If anyone fancies that he knows, he knows nothing yet, in the true sense of knowing. But if a man loves, he is acknowledged by God."?1 Cor. 8:1-3, The New English Bible.
If you are one taking the lead as a ministerial servant, you should actually be "considering that the others are superior to you." (Phil. 2:3) Jesus stated: "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them and the great men wield authority over them. This is not the way among you; but whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister." (Matt. 20:25-27) Ministerial servants, therefore, need to be exemplary in girding themselves "with lowliness of mind toward one another, because God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones."?1 Pet. 5:5.
If you are a ministerial servant, especially one who has good ability and education, you have a wonderful opportunity to help others improve their knowledge of God. This is also true outside the congregation as you use your ability to bring the lifesaving message from God?s Word to others. But you should never permit your knowledge and ability to cause you to look down on unbelievers or be quick to condemn them. Rather, feel as Jesus did toward the common people: "On seeing the crowds he felt pity for them, because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd." (Matt. 9:36) This is the attitude of Jehovah?s humble ministerial servants today.
OVERSEERS TAKE THE LEAD
Those who have the greatest responsibility to avoid thinking more of themselves than is necessary are the overseers in Jehovah?s visible organization. Whether overseers of a local congregation, or circuit or district overseers, whatever their capacity of oversight within Jehovah?s organization, they ought to set the example in not thinking more of themselves than is necessary.
The overseer acts as a shepherd. But the flock he shepherds is not his own. It is God?s. (1 Pet. 5:2) God has paid a price for it; the overseer has not. It is "the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son." (Acts 20:28) So the flock belongs to Jehovah, bought by the blood of his own Son, and is left only in trust to undershepherds, overseers.
Jesus stated this principle for these overseers: "The greatest one among you must be your minister." "Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave." (Matt. 23:11; 20:27) Hence, Jehovah requires them as overseers to be foremost in serving, or ministering, to their Christian brothers. To do this requires great humility, for it is not common in this system of things to combine great authority with great servitude. But humble Christian overseers, trained in the wisdom coming from Jehovah, do so. They are not like worldlings who wield power and crush others beneath them. They do not seek glory or domination of others, as do the clergy.
Lowliness of mind enables the overseer, above all others, to consider ?that the others are superior to him.? (Phil. 2:3) He also endeavors to do as Paul stated at Romans 12:10: "In brotherly love have tender affection for one another. In showing honor to one another take the lead." Since the overseer takes the lead in the congregation, he also needs to take the lead in showing honor to those he shepherds, considering them as being superior to him. By his taking such lead, the spirit of brotherly love is built up. All will see demonstrated, lived, the reality of Jesus? words when he said: "All you are brothers." (Matt. 23:8) A young man who was a Christian overseer was appropriately admonished by the apostle Paul: "Do not severely criticize an older man. To the contrary, entreat him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters with all chasteness. Honor widows that are actually widows."?1 Tim. 5:1-3.
By shepherding their Christian brothers, serving and honoring them, overseers imitate the Master, Jesus, who said: "If I, although Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another. For I set the pattern for you, that, just as I did to you, you should do also." (John 13:14, 15) Although the custom of feet washing has passed, the importance of serving others, showing them honor without partiality, considering them superior, is as great as ever.
ATTITUDE TOWARD SERVANTS
What should be the attitude of all in the congregation toward overseers and ministerial servants? God?s Word says: "Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing."?Heb. 13:17.
Taking the lead in the congregation requires much hard work and long hours spent in handling assignments and problems. If some do not cooperate but act contrary to godly principles, then servants may begin to be robbed of some of their joy, for it is no pleasure dealing with violators of Jehovah?s laws. But by cooperating, each one doing his part, servants can joyfully carry out their work.
At times, servants err, being imperfect as everybody else is. Thus, they should not think they are beyond correction, or are above listening to suggestions for improvement. They should not feel that only what they suggest to others is counsel but that what others suggest to them is criticism. There is a vast difference between constructive suggestions and unfounded criticism or chronic complaining.
Yet, in spite of their own imperfections, servants work hard in fulfilling their responsibilities. This includes firmness for what is right. At times, overseers particularly must "admonish the disorderly." In fact, it may be necessary to "keep on reproving them with severity, that they may be healthy in the faith." And at other times it may even be required to "reprove before all onlookers persons who practice sin, that the rest also may have fear." Thus, while overseers and ministerial servants are not to think more of themselves than is necessary, they are to give counsel, correction and discipline to upbuild the congregation and to keep it morally pure.?1 Thess. 5:14; Titus 1:13; 1 Tim. 5:20.
Jehovah acknowledges and blesses the hard work of his servants. That is why Paul said: "Now we request you, brothers, to have regard for those who are working hard among you and presiding over you in the Lord and admonishing you; and to give them more than extraordinary consideration in love because of their work."?1 Thess. 5:12, 13.
What a grand spirit exists when ministerial servants and overseers take the lead in working hard, giving honor, considering those in their care superior, and, in turn, the brothers respond by giving them more than extraordinary consideration in love! What a pleasure it is to associate with an entire society of persons who endeavor to live in accord with the counsel not to think more of themselves than is necessary but to work unselfishly for the common good and upbuilding of all! How wonderful are Jehovah?s ways!?Ps. 107:8.
prophecor

Everyone here has helped so much and thanx.
I'm reminded of the movie "The Usual Suspects". At the end of movie, Kaiser Sorsee' had the detective doing the interegation so completely fooled as to his not being the criminal.
Kaiser Sorsee' was famed for convincing everyone that he didn't exist. Though those that knew he did, were so completely terrified of him.
At the tail end of the movie, the detective was urged by one of his fellow officers about the need to stand back from a situation, in order to get a clearer picture of the problem he wanted to solve. As KS is walking away, the interogating officer takes a moment to ponder what his partner said.
Seperating himself from the situation, slowly the peices begin to fall into place, and before he gets a chance to even realize all along he's been played for a fool, KS disappears into the crowd, the detective realizes he's been duped.
KS actually worked against the detectives better judgement, causing him to remain in the dark until the very last moment, resulting in KS being able to evade being captured.
For some reason, I feel like that same detective that's had an opportunity to stand back from the situation, but I'm in like slow motion not having reached that point where I can bring it all together. I'm truly still in a state of shock, hoping that I too can reach that point.
And I'm affraid. Everything that they have pitched for so long, can still have a ring of truth to it, even though all the while, I see so much evidence that there's something rotten in Denmark, as it were. The UN Scandal, Malawi & Mexico, how we for so long have been at the controls of people who script out rules and regulations without a thought as to the reality of the lives that have been destroyed, and it can still sound so good, paradise, eternal life.
Thank you all for your help as I patiently wait to walk out of the prison cell that can still feel like home. The cell door is open, unlocked, but it feels like its going to be a long walk. Not walking out of the desert, but thru it.
frankiespeakin

Prophecor,
I think the world gets more interesting as you leave your prison cell and walk in it,, leaving behind preconcieved ideas that have no place in reality,, as the WT lies slowly fade from serious concideration in guiding one life. When you see the poison in the teachings that is when they loose power over your life. This time of transition for you if you work towards freeing the mind,,it can unleash a very creative time in your life,,as you drop old ways and form new thought paterns.
BluesBrother

Hi Scully,
Do Not Think More of Yourself than Is Necessary
"I TELL everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think; but to think so as to have a sound mind."?Rom 12.3
Thanks for reminding me of that article.. i used to make apoint of counselling my fellow witnessess that the scripture encouraged a "Sound mind" and that it was "necessary" to think enough of oneself...a balanced mind etc.
Mind you , I had read a little basic psychology by that time...
William Penwell

I have a nephew that has emotional problems due to the high control of the JW. He cannot see that the problem is the religion but still tries his best by reaching out and becoming an elder. He doesn't realize that that his emotional problems are all caused by this controlled environment but keeps trying to do his best. I do feel somewhat for him as I remember growing up I also would try my best but it was never good enough. One just has to learn to love themselves and except themselves for who they are and not try and seek approval from some man made organization.
Will
Sunchild

I don't know whether or not being a JW causes psychological problems, but it can make existing issues much, much worse. In my case, I didn't realize how much the experience had damaged me until recently, and I've been out for almost four years now.
When I first started studying with the Witnesses, I was 17. I've always wanted to do "the right thing," whatever that entailed, I've always been spiritual (i.e. wanted to make God happy), and I've always been a bit shy. I really wanted a place to belong, and the chance to believe I was making God happy. The Witnesses gave me that. But later on, I realized that my life among them was... wrong. Much of what I'd been taught to believe just didn't make any sense and/or nagged at my conscience, and besides that, a part of me that just wanted to grow up.
I ended up leaving. A lot of things happened -- some good, some bad, some indifferent, much to do with the self-discovery that I hadn't realized I'd been denied in my late teens and early twenties. I came to realize that, in a lot of ways, my psychological development had been frozen at age 17, the age I was when I first hooked up with the Witnesses. And since my entire social life had been among JWs then, I never learned how to make friends in the "real world", and all the friends I might've made in college were gone. So, over time, my shyness problems have become progressively worse while I wasn't looking. Right now, I have no real life friends because I don't know how to connect with them. I assume they wouldn't be interested and just save us both the trouble.
Looking within myself, though, I've reached another conclusion: the things I was taught as a Witness helped my make my present shyness worse. All that stuff about thinking no more of yourself than necessary, putting everyone else (especially the Org) above yourself, not giving too much attention to your own needs, that sort of thing.... It really stuck with me since my self-esteem wasn't so terrific to begin with. I took those things to heart, and somewhere deep down, I concluded that I wasn't worthy of genuine love. I was supposed to give everything; I had no right to want or expect anything in return.
And on top of that, I know I still had that same old tape playing, always there but made all the louder by my past experiences: never tell anyone all of your secrets, never reveal who you really are or what you really think. Otherwise, it might be used against you.
And, of course, that isn't healthy.
I've made an appointment with a therapist to help me live more fully. I realize now that I can't do this alone. And don't even get me started on the isses I had with depression which started while I was still "in." I know I'm not the only one who's had problems like these.
~Rochelle.

Being JW and Psychiatry

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