Good point, Apognophos. Did they actually examine any of the people in this study and determine what their health actually was? That would be the more relevant factor.
--sd-7
Posts by sd-7
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5News Article from The Atlantic about the Health Effects of Leaving Religion (Mentions JWs)
by sd-7 inhttp://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/the-health-effects-of-leaving-religion/379651/.
a particularly curious quote was:.
the most mainstream research on this is a 2010 study out of pennsylvania state university, which examined data from 1972 to 2006. the study showed that 20 percent of people who have left religion report being in excellent health, versus 40 percent of people currently part of strict religious groups (such as jehovahs witnesses and latter-day saints) and 25 percent of people who switched from a strict religion to a more lenient religion.
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5
News Article from The Atlantic about the Health Effects of Leaving Religion (Mentions JWs)
by sd-7 inhttp://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/the-health-effects-of-leaving-religion/379651/.
a particularly curious quote was:.
the most mainstream research on this is a 2010 study out of pennsylvania state university, which examined data from 1972 to 2006. the study showed that 20 percent of people who have left religion report being in excellent health, versus 40 percent of people currently part of strict religious groups (such as jehovahs witnesses and latter-day saints) and 25 percent of people who switched from a strict religion to a more lenient religion.
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sd-7
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/the-health-effects-of-leaving-religion/379651/
A particularly curious quote was:
The most mainstream research on this is a 2010 study out of Pennsylvania State University, which examined data from 1972 to 2006. The study showed that 20 percent of people who have left religion report being in excellent health, versus 40 percent of people currently part of strict religious groups (such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Latter-Day Saints) and 25 percent of people who switched from a strict religion to a more lenient religion. “Strict” in this study was defined as “high-cost sectarian groups that are theologically and culturally exclusive."
I guess I can see the benefits of having a social community and possibly a benefit from door-to-door (not so much from streetwork if you're standing still, that would lead to foot problems--one older sister stood so long in streetwork her ankles started to swell up, I heard). I can see the potential for depression resulting from being ousted from one's community and trying to find a niche for oneself.
In my mind, it's a lot like heartbreak, like the end of a relationship that's in a way much more profound--for many, at least--than say, a marriage ending or something. Especially in a high control group, the sense of violation involved has to be a devastating thing emotionally. And then to have everyone you know think you've lost your mind--doesn't help, either.
I saw that an ex-JW has already commented there on the site, but I'm not sure there's nearly enough intelligent discourse going on. I haven't commented myself, though. I just found it curious. I wouldn't be surprised if this quote makes it into a Watchtower or Awake! article sometime in the future...
--sd-7
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46
my first post! (long read sorry in advance)
by Letts Party inlong time lurker, first time poster here finally looking to get some things off my chest.
i've always been a very curious person with tons of questions about everything, and i also care deeply particularly about societal issues like social injustice, racism, and homophobia.
that, coupled with how boneheaded all the elders in my congregation are (except for one), led me to ask even more questions that led me to find ttatt.. .
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sd-7
Welcome. Ah, newly married and just finding out that the JWs are not what they appear to be...that sounds familiar. I think it says a lot that you trusted your wife with this information as well. I would recommend treading carefully there. My wife turned me in for my doubts, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. My story is well-covered here on this site, up to and including my judicial committee. Check it out sometime. Hopefully none of that is in your future.
Continue reading and thinking. That's all I can say. You'll land on your feet, but it may hurt for a while. Keep using this place for support if you need to. I wish you the best.
--sd-7
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Article: If God saved an American doctor with Ebola, why did he let 1,200 Africans die?
by AndersonsInfo inhttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/aug/25/ebola-africans-die-god-american-doctorif god saved an american doctor with ebola, why did he let 1,200 africans die?it must be lovely for people such as dr kent brantly to be so sure of god's existence.
for the rest of us, it's not so easy.
ebola survivor dr kent brantly.
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sd-7
The idea of God saving someone from a virus is kind of a paradox. You see, God would have had to create the virus, and would also have created humans with vulnerability to such viruses. Unless perhaps God left that part out of the punishment he handed to Adam. You'll eat bread, the ground will be cursed, [and oh, by the way, you'll be getting colds, the flu, chicken pox, measles, Ebola, and so on...]until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken.
It's ironic that apes have better immune systems than we do, yet we were supposedly the pinnacle of creation, right? Ha.
But yes, the idea that God saved him and let a bunch of other people die is pretty absurd and serves to minimize the scope of tragedy that has come from this terrible disease. It's sad, that's all.
--sd-7
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43
Do the Governing Body believe their own teachings or know it's a lie? Are they atheists?
by BucketShopBill inthe new young blood gb member, you think he really thinks this is the truth or is he protecting his financial interest like all the older gb members who enjoy basking in glory of men?
do you think they believe in the "over-lapping generation" or was that a mistake done by barr?.
how much of the watchtower and the bible do the governing body know, ray franz jr. said he was not impressed with their bible knowledge and their lack of knowledge of the watchtower cannon.
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sd-7
It is possible they believe it, but abundantly clear they do not believe all of it. If they did, they would never see a need to change any teachings. The fact they do indicates that they don't believe all of it. They have their own opinions about certain issues, and if they can convince the rest of the GB, then it becomes doctrine and gets printed.
It is also clear that certain changes are consciously made for specific practical reasons, and this too suggests that they do not entirely believe it, but are nonetheless willing to use it to maintain the illusion of the all-knowing 'organization'/all-knowing 'faithful slave'.
--sd-7
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"Jehovah's Witnesses do better after surgery without transfusion" - Article (July 3, 2012)
by Da.Furious inthis article from 2012 published by the birmingham news showed up on my facebook page.. what i would have liked to see in the statistics is the inclusion of total jws refusing blood transfusion and their survival rate not only the ones taht surviced, taking about only survivors is not like for like comparison in my opinion with patients who take blood transfusion and then dont survive.. .
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sd-7
What has to be remembered here is, it is not simply by virtue of being a JW and refusing blood that these patients fared well. They were obviously given some very good medical care by trained professionals, and great precautions were taken to minimize blood loss. In the absence of the kind of resources used in these scenarios, the JW who refuses blood might well not fare nearly so well.
In other words, there's nothing magical happening here. You can't claim it's the result of obedience to Jehovah, because it's not. It's the result of good medical care that takes their personal beliefs into consideration and devises smart ways to work around them and still give the patient the best care.
Let's also remember that a JW going to medical school would be considered as seeking glory for himself...unless he gets called upon for the privilege of serving at Bethel, I suppose...
--sd-7
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70
JW.ORG signs to be put on all Kingdom Halls! New directive.
by stuckinarut2 inso i have been told that all kingdom halls are to have a large jw.org sign placed prominently out the front..... can anyone confirm this?.
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sd-7
When I took my wife to the meeting last night, I saw that they now have the JW.ORG sign up on the Kingdom Hall sign out in front. So...looks like it's everywhere. It definitely doesn't match the brick design, but I guess the important thing is that it be blue, with 'JW.ORG' in white letters. That is all.
--sd-7
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Craziest demon/magic/supernatural stories you heard when you were a JW
by EndofMysteries inshare yours, i'll start if off, i have a few i heard from the platform or from other jw's.
one from the platform, a witch was studying with jw's, and she had a relationship with demons/spirits.
when she was studying they turned on her and threatened her if she didn't stop.
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sd-7
My mom often told us that demons were speaking to her, and that was what prompted her to become a JW. She said they would tell jokes and threaten her. They supposedly told her that the JWs were the ones who knew the truth about them, so she called the KH and started a 'Bible study'.
She also concluded that the demons were talking to my great aunt in the days before my great aunt died, and that they were supposedly threatening her and telling her she was going to die. So...I've had some interesting times growing up, you could say.
--sd-7
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July WT Study magazine - How can any intelligent person believe these things??
by Faithful Witness ini haven't been paying attention, i admit... but thought i would go and look at their latest magazine, and see what my parents are spending their precious energy on this month.
my mom retired in may, and we have seen her just once since then.
our invitations have been rejected, due to meetings, conventions, service work requirements, etc.
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sd-7
"Thus, being hated for bearing Jehovah's name is the same as 'being reproached for the name of [Jesus] Christ,' who said to his opposers: 'I have come in the name of my Father, but you do not receive me.' (John 5:43)"
This, from the people who removed any mention of Jesus Christ from the cover of their flagship magazine, The Watchtower. What was wrong with being a "Herald of Christ's Presence"?
I couldn't tell you how many people I encountered over the years who didn't think JWs even believed in Jesus. More people probably know they don't celebrate birthdays than could actually explain their 'good news' message. So...being hated for bearing Jehovah's name is not the same, not the same at all.
--sd-7
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83
Blown away-- where to go from here
by All for show ini stumbled upon this website a few weeks ago due to the jw.org ridiculousness, since then i haven't been able to pull myself away.
the thoughts, feelings, and concerns i have had the past few years aren't just mine.
it's global.
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sd-7
Welcome. Another awakening. It sounds like you have already started down the right path. I wonder what advice I could possibly offer here.
Well, since you're married, I would say, until you are absolutely sure of how your mate feels, you'd best keep your doubts to yourself. My wife turned me in to the elders for having doubts, and it was a very difficult time. I told the story on here a few years ago, along with what I could write down from my committee. Check out my 'Borg Court' threads for that. For now, be careful about who you trust. That's the first bit of advice.
The second bit of advice is to continue reading as many different books as possible to broaden your perspective on all this. That'll be a real lifeline in helping you in the transition process. It has definitely kept me sane and brought me a lot more peace than I otherwise would have had.
The other thing is, this is going to be very stressful, especially if you have to maintain appearances for a time. So you need to take good care of yourself. And...find someone who understands how you feel and talk to them. There are good people here who I'm sure will be of great help to you.
It won't be easy, but you can make it. I hope you and your family will be able to find your way to lasting freedom in due time.
--sd-7