A Loving organization?

startingover

Last Saturday an old friend of ours took her life. She and her husband had almost been married 25 years, and we had known her longer than that. She was like a little sister to my wife. Even though they are active JWs, her and her husband never judged me when I left and continued to treat me as they always had.

We spent the Sunday afternoon with her husband and family. As far as I know everyone there was a JW. Several came by with their meeting clothes on. I finally got a chance to talk to her husband about what arrangements they might make for a memorial service. He told me that the elders were going to allow them to have it at the KH, and another "brother" standing close by stated that the elders received information recently that those committing suicide would now be allowed to use the hall as it is now recognized that it is really an illness that brings it about.

I really had a hard time hearing that. What a LOVING organization. And for all those who have devoted their lives to this organization and took their lives and who couldn't even use the hall for a memorial until just recently, what about them? Unbelievable. Then I heard some talk about what a blessing it is from jehovah to allow such an arrangement. In any other situation I would have shook my head and walked out.

I will go to the memorial, but it will be very difficult to be there.

Neo

One more heart-wrenching story... There are so many stories like this one in the forum recently. That's what Watchtower Love is all about.

candidlynuts

i'm sorry for your loss startingover. its a sad situation . i know going to the memorial will be difficult on many levels. i hope your going with someone understanding that you can lean on.

hugs

candy

Neo

The Watchtower's flip-flopping New Light on funerals for those who commited suicide:

PROHIBITED:

*** w75 7/15 448 Questions from Readers ***
What viewpoint does God's Word indicate that Christians should have toward suicide?
(...)
On the other hand, where it is a clearly established suicide, members of the congregation and elders may desire not to become involved in the funeral. In such cases arrangements would be left to the family itself for a private funeral where some member of the household might say a few words for the sake of the relatives. Furthermore, some may not desire to attend a funeral of one who is believed to have committed suicide where the funeral is conducted by someone other than a member of the congregation or by the funeral director himself at the request of the family.

ALLOWED:

*** w77 6/1 346 Mourning and Funerals-For Whom? ***
(...)
There is also the matter of giving a witness to Bible truths. Usually a funeral is attended by neighbors, acquaintances, business associates and relatives, who may not be believers. All these stand to benefit from a funeral or memorial service at which a discourse is given presenting the Bible view as to the condition of the dead, why men die and the hope of a resurrection. Because of such fine purposes being served, it seems that a Christian minister could see his way clear to conduct the funeral of a Witness? unbelieving relative?or even of one who, in a condition of extreme despondency or mental derangement, had taken his own life. And fellow Christians could extend comfort to the bereaved Witness by attending.

Neo

little1

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, and for the despair that made her do such a drastic thing. (((hugsto you and her husband)))

L1

ko38

Too sad to say anything except, dont ever leave on your own account.PEOPLE COUNT ON YOU> ko38

MungoBaobab

Because of such fine purposes being served, it seems that a Christian minister could see his way clear to conduct the funeral of a Witness? unbelieving relative?or even of one who, in a condition of extreme despondency or mental derangement, had taken his own life. And fellow Christians could extend comfort to the bereaved Witness by attending.

I love it, "extreme despondency or mental derangement" in a suicide. Gee, ya think? As opposed to all the other people who kill themselves just for the hell of it, right?

AK - Jeff

Startingover - sorry to hear about your loss. I know that feeling about going back the hall for the Memorial. I had the same decision a week back - when an elder I had loved dearly died. He had not spoken to me for about a year, and I think was resp for the 'shunning' that we have had - but I did not hold it against him, he was just a company man. But I could not make myself go back to the hall for the service. Witness funerals are really just 'membership drives' anyway to me.

Anyway - out thoughts are with you thru this painful time.

Jeff

Doubtfully Yours

So sorry to hear this.

However, in reference to the WTBTS, I like the fact that they evolve with the times and new information readily available.

DY

Balsam

So sorry to hear the pressure the JW life put on your friend caused her to end her life. I can't tell you how many times I nearly took my own life because I felt like such a failure to Jehovah. Intense unhappiness in my marriage, caring for my Elderly Mother, my three sons, and a full time home business drove me to extreme exhaustion and suicide. I went without sleep to do it all, then there was meetings and door to door work which I rarely fell short in till the about the last year. I was a JW for 30 years.

When I left the JWs and stopped meetings it was like 10 tons of pressure was lifted off of me. I know that the pressure your friend suffered was more than she could deal with. I am so sorry, now her husband must cope with her loss.

This new policy on suicides is late coming. The terrible pain it has caused families when their loved ones committed suicide and could not have a JW funeral at the KH. It is sick and unloving when they are the direct cause of people taking their lives.

Balsam

A Loving organization?

Share this