xjwsforChrist

Hello,

I was very curious of late, as to the handicapped community of Jehovah’s Witnesses. How are they attended to? Is there any special event that is put on to honor their abilities as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

What do jw parents tell their handicapped children about Jehovah’s love towards THEM? Is it conveyed that Jehovah insists that they soon become baptized, in order to be healed in the new system?

Any thoughts or feelings on this not-talked-much about topic is very much encourged. The good, the bad and the ugly of the topic.

Thank you for your time.

~~sf~~ [ I've asked around the net in a few places and will seek other places to pose the inquiry. I hope to bring the issue to the forefront a bit, as it really isn't even discussed.]

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"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS."

Yes, I caught it (their abilities as one of jw's). I am wanting to know if their abilities are only considered while doing wt things, such as FS, meetings, studies in the home, etc.?

And/or are the undertones always "just wait on jehovah and he will heal you in the new system...."? Not really even caring much ABOUT the handicap itself; the bodily afflictions and all that come with it.

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"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS."

No.


Pretty much, yes. Always the example of Paul's thorn in the flesh. (2 Cor 12:7). I would say certain individual JWs do care about the person with the handicap, but you'll rarely, if ever, find a JW who gets involved with organizations to find cures for such things.


Couldn't say. I suppose it depends on the handicap. With mental handicaps, baptism usually doesn't happen because JWs believe one must have knowledge before baptism, thus one with an incapacity to learn or retain such knowledge just wouldn't even be baptized.


My observation is that most JWs are like most humans in general... talking to, extending kindness to a handicapped individual tends to be awkward, so they often just don't know how to treat one with a handicap. There are some who are much better with this than others. I would say there's really no difference between JWs and the rest of humanity. Most just feel there's nothing they can really do other than say hi and try to be encouraging.

Very interesting feedback. Thank you for taking the time.




Certainly. That would require a lot of money as well. We know how WTBTS feel and thinks about its virtues.

Yet, what about getting involved in organizations and/or foundations that CARE for and about the handicapped individual and do so free of charge; helping them accomplish dreams in a safe way? Would that not be a benefit to said indiviual? Especially when it is a child who requires the special needs in life?

I do want this topic to gain momentum throughout the exjw/active jw communities throughout the internet and offline. It has great merit.

Thank you again for your time.

~s-kally~

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"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS."

I have heard of individual JWs involved in such things as races / marathons for such things, and I suppose those who may be close to a situation may be involved. It's not prohibited.

WTS has talked in the past about charities, and while not specifically saying we shouldn't, they go to some length to point out that most donations go to administrative costs instead of those who would benefit. They also use the verse at Matthew 6:3,4 often when talking about charities: "But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you." (NWT)



There was an article in an 03 WT that lead the reader to ask this question at the bottom of the article


The next article discussed giving, as a way of assisting individuals personally, as part of relief efforts, then, of course, this was stated:

So, JWs, while not saying NOT to give to charities or get involved with such organizations, do imply that PREACHING is much more beneficial. Thus, JWs get it into their minds that it really is of little value to get involved with such organizations.

Again, though, some individual JWs may not see it the same as the majority. And, I'm no expert on the subject: just putting forth my observations along with what WTS says. To be fair, WTS does say there is SOME good in charitable acts, but their emphasis is on preaching as the best way to give.

Well I am severely disabled now and I can't get help from the community or anyone so its not just JWs lol.

I am not a JW anymore and was not disabled while I was one but I did see that the congregations I was in or my Mom that they did not take care of the disabled, they ran the other way.
I remember there was this really nice JW lady in our congregation who had polio and she had difficulty getting to the meetings because they had stairs to get into the hall. She drove her own car with hand controls and was fairly independent but walking and using stairs was a huge problem for her. She tried to come to the meetings and it took her ages to walk from her car to the stairs and then rarely did anyone come out and help her, she often was a bit late as she struggled so hard to walk. I had 4 little children at that time so it was hard for me to help her but I did if I could but gee why couldn't an attendant help her. She eventually quit coming to the hall because of that and I know because another sister and I got sent to encourage her to come to the meetings. She told us that she didn't feel the love there and no one helped her or even gave her a welcome. I guess because she drove and lived alone in her own house they thought she could get to the meetings on her own. I didn't blame her and I myself had the same feelings as I had 4 children and a unbelieving husband and no one helped me either. This was in the 1980's

In 2005 and 2006 my Mom a devout JW got brain cancer and suddenly all her close friends were not there to help her. I was called to help your Mother, we can't they said. I would have helped sooner but my Monm thought the sisters were her family and were there to help and do everything for her and she didn't need to ask me to help. I lived a long drive away from her. She got confused and immobile but she still wanted to go to the meetings, the sisters refused because they didn't want to help her in the bathroom and because she needed a wheelchair and the hall wasn't handicap accessible. She was told to listen to the meetings on her phone. NICE!! They totally abandoned her, it was just shocking.

As to JWs only (peace to you, all!), because as dear Zoe (peace, luv!) points out, they're not alone... but they DO preach a whole lot of "brotherly love"... while ignoring their own brothers who have such physical needs:

"Beware the naked man who offers you his shirt."

Peace!

Your servant and a slave of Christ,

Shellama

In fairness, I have to say that the local JW's were not like that.

They did look after the disabled members, and there was a disabled loo. Several disabled brothers and sisters went to the meetings. They were also helped to go out door to door. At a Convention they were very much looked after. My elderly friend was disabled, and her daughter not only looked after her but helped out in a big tent where there were lots of wheelchairs etc. I know because I helped too for part of the time. Every possible help and welcome was given.

Just had to be fair.

The UK as a whole is very disabled-conscious. Are things better now in the US? Have things improved? What you describe must have been a while ago, Zoe.

I think it must depend on the area and who is in the congregation. I know my parents always helped the sick and disabled and taught me that was what you did for people. That's why I was shocked when I encountered it and it was in 2006 the last time I saw it happen with my Mom so that was recently.

Take everything Zoe said about not getting help in the 1980s
and change only the names
then we have my congregation in the 1990s

while Chariklo pointed out one very good congregation
it really does depend on who is running each hall

the congregation next door to mine
was very close-knit like a family
because the elders and their wives were mostly regular pioneers
and they got into everybody's faces
and checked up on you
and phoned
and pushed
and harassed in such a way that we all loved them very much for it
and it was they who trained me for two years before baptism
so their high standards
were the standards i took with me
where the need was greater
to the rotten congregation that i ended up in
just next door
(even the Circuit Overseer recognized it as rotten
and kept sending eager suckers in to help)

i had worked the summer before baptism
with autistic youths
in a non-religious organization
and my supervisor loved my detailed reports
plus the kids' parents invited me into their lives
(though i did not accept because priority was to preaching
--- yes i was a religious idiot)
so
yes
there are JWs who work among the disabled

in my new and terrible congregation
i would actively phone down the whole entire association list
to rally people to large group activities
which drained the life out of me
although i gained a loyal troupe of three boys
with whom i had many funny misadventures
as we regularly pushed and harassed others
to gather
over the next ten years

i even dragged the boys along
to help me visit the elderly
so i can say from experience
that particular congregation
just did not give a crap
about the disabled
and the elders would even discourage the elderly
from asking for help
by misusing such phrases as
"do not be a burden to the congregation"

there was, however,
one elder that DID look after the seniors
and made it his business not to let them be forgotten
so back then
and to this very day
he is my favourite elder in my congregation
to the complete bafflement and surprise
of my allies after i was disfellowshipped
since this particular elder
is the very same one
who fell in love with the teenaged girl
and disfellowshipped both her parents
then kept the girl
and forcibly silenced eleven eywitnesses
but failed to silence the twelfth (me and my testimony)
and kicked me out for "slander"

so while my enemies and former allies
hypocritically preach to me about mercy and forgiveness,
i've actually been living those concepts,
my greatest enemy
is and always will be
my favourite elder

he is a good man
but extremely
extremely
stupid

The Nephilim (giants) of Noah's Day were truly evil,
but for whatever STUPID reasons THEIR VICTIMS had
for not going into the Ark,
the outcome for being STUPID
was the same as for being EVIL.
Drowned.

- these remarks are off-the-cuff
and unedited
so i truly truly hope
i've not said too much
for my own good
again

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"For whenever people of the nations that do not have law do by nature the things of the law . . . They are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts" (Romans 2:14-15)

Very true, dear WL, very true.

Peace to you!

Your servant and a slave of Christ,

Shellama

Wowsers LQ. Nice job here in getting some quotes added to this thread of great merit. Thank you.

As I scroll down to the tasty tidbets written by the WT men, I cannot help from laughing out loud. Yet, again the rage starts to register itself and I must tame it once again. As I have, as I proceed here with my post. (sigh of relief...nice to be able to accomplish this feat now with not so much effort as in the past).

So, as we go through these laughable quotes, it is quite clear just exactly how the WTBTS/ JWS feel and think of their handicapped individuals that are members of their organization. It would appear as if the only useful jw is one that can function physically without any assistance and can put in the hours for field ministry.




So, what I gather here, in crystal clear vision, is that, no, not all of lifes problems will be solved, including your handicap, here on earth, at this moment time. However, and more importantly, if you DO NOT become a jw, through baptism/dedication, your charitable ass will be toast when our jehovah god sets you in his toaster!

Got it.

Seriously though folks, it is no laughing matter. Not at all. And I plan on taking this subject further and getting a better idea of what is going on with the handicapped community of jehovahs witnesses. Perhaps my anger can be useful in a much better Way. And for much better purposes for and in helping these forgotten children.

Thank you again lq, for taking the time and adding wt quotes; as I would not even know where to get such crazy quotes.

Sincerely,

~s-kally~

p.s. wheelie, thank you so very much for sharing this. I think the world of handicapped jws needs a voice. Think I found a good way to use my anger brother! thank you for yourSELF and thank you for TRUTH.

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"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS."

Well, it would appear I've been HEARD...by the WTBTS noless! roflol

In vivid verbatim, as to the instructions to those wanting to attend International Conventions:

7) Please do not apply unless you are sure you will be available to go and can financially cover the costs, whether using a travel agency or planning your trip personally. As a reminder, all applicants should be in good health with good mobility and not in need of the assistance of someone else nor dependent on a wheelchair, an auxiliary oxygen supply, or similar health-related devices. [ Just like China, the WTBTS does not want any genetically inferior people dishonoring Jehovah by their presense.]

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I just saw this posted in a thread elsewhere and my eyes popped.

How absolutely discriminatory. Who are they to deny and/ or discourage anyone from attending; no matter what their Special Needs are? Gives a whole new essense to the term "need greaters", doesn't it?

Well, there you have it. Written as truth, by the WTBTS.

{walks quietly out of the thread slightly shaking her head in disgust and walks over to where her coffee cup sits, and sips slowly, pondering such insanity, yet is not really angry, just disgusted)

~s-kally~

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"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS."

I am more than disgusted, dear Skals (peace!). I am saddened... and sickedned... to think that so many otherwise fairly decent people... who claim to belong to Christ, perhaps even be in union with him... think that this is okay. Can you imagine my Lord... PRIOR to going up to the place on the mountain where he spoke... sending out a message to any who would come to hear him... that said, in essence:

"I'm gonna be speaking somewhere up in the Mount of Olives on, say, Tuesday. Keep in mind, if you're sick or lame or blind or lying on a cot or having an unending flow of blood or have leprosy or epilepsy or need others to help you move about... or are otherwise not in a really good health... don't bother climbing up there to hear me. What I have to say is ONLY for those who are 'able-bodied'... so you sick(er) folks just stay home! No one in attendance will be able to help you... and probably no one will want to, anyway!"

????????

We should not be surprised at the WTBTS' position, though. They don't HAVE Christ... so they don't have HOLY SPIRIT... and so they can't "do" anything for such people anyway... other than further lie to and mislead them. So, perhaps we should REJOICE that those who are so disabled CAN'T go... and be further subjected to the WTBTS poisonous wormword!

Glass half empty here... or half full?

On the one hand, disgusting, yes. On the other... a Godsend?

Perhaps some folks actually dodge a bullet.

Thanks for sharing that and, again, peace to you!

Your servant and a slave of Christ,

Shellamar

Perhaps some folks actually dodge a bullet.

Yes, being spared!
I would agree with this!!!!

Man O Man....
whats a mama to say!!!.... these poor people!

Thanks for sharing ya'll
Justmom