Do they really care for the sick ?

[ShakinStew]

like many who comment on this forum I was very much a active jw but stopped attending meetings, one because I discovered many of The Watchtowers teachings to be incorrect, two because I found out about different practices that are imposed on Jw's that where certainly not Christian and finally as I suffer from established renal failure my health deteriated and also mentally I couldn’t cope with the pressure imposed on jws. Anyway there was a sister in the cong where I attended who experienced a lot of problems with her health and like myself found her self pretty isolated because she couldn’t manage to attend the meetings or go knocking doors, like myself she found that the jws rarely visited or telephoned to see how she was and if any assistance could be given ( disgraceful really for a group who claim to love each other as Jesus said true Christians would do ) anyway that sister is now in a home and all of a sudden the witnesses are taking an interest again ( obviously the staff at the nursing home know she is a JW) anyway in conclusion my mother also a Jw broke her hip yesterday and as been admitted to the local hospital, it's going to be interesting to see how caring they are there.

[Barnabas]

Sadly Shakin your experience isn't just a JW one. Lots of individuals in communities react in 'protective' ways when mishap occurs. Strikes me as almost being a type of superstition that if you get too close to a mishap it could become contagious. In addition, if you are not healed in prayer seems to be another 'put-off'.

Sorry to hear of your mother's fall. I hope you are able to support her.

[Elpappo]

They will be there mate to enforce the blood doctrine, nothing else.

[ShakinStew]

She as made very clear she dos'nt want blood and myself, dad, and brother all respect this and i arranged for one of the jw hospital liason com to vist and go through the consent forms and options she as for bloodless surgery. She as said yes to blood salvage which i have to admit i thought the watchtower were opposed to but this is now said to be persona choice as shown in a km insert of november 1996. i must admit i was very impressed with how this was delt with although i personally disagree with the watchtowers teachings about abstaining from blood.

[Barnabas]

My thoughts and prayers are with u @ this time Shakin. Bless you 4 honouring your mother @ this difficult time.

[ShakinStew]

Happy to report all went well with the operation today, thank you for your prayers Barnabas.

[Barnabas]

Happy to report all went well with the operation today, thank you for your prayers Barnabas.

No worries mate anytime you need support I'm but a prayer away !
Well done yourself.

[Edc]

Hi Shakin, glad to hear your mum is okay

Eddie

[ShakinStew]

Happy to report my mum as now been discharged from hospital, the witnesses have sent her lots of cards and some visted. One thing that did strike me was that in the cards received lots wrote personal messages often refering to the wonderful hope of living forever on a paradise earth. My own thoughts were that it was a shame that all these people base there hope on somethinmg that is'nt a biblical hope at all and secondly that it's good to reflect on the good things God as yet to come for his sheep but people face many challenges now and need help now from others they know, words and chocolates are nice but action is often what is needed, my mum will need lots of help recovery time is 12 weeks lets see if the witnesses are just words but action 2.

[Barnabas]

personal messages often refering to the wonderful hope of living forever on a paradise earth.

This reflects my experience of JWs. Although the 'church' isn't perfect. Some people's reaction to other people's pain is to ignore in favour of a future hope. This is not Christ's approach. Can you imagine the Samaritan story 'Don't worry mate there is a time coming when you will not be mugged or discriminated against. See you then !'

[Twilight zone]

I think sometimes we become blinkered in our care and thoughts of others.
The Lord always laid it on my heart to help those he shows me.
We cannot be in all places at all times. We are suppose to look after our family and friends and in turn it spreads outwardly.
Causing a great ripple of care and love on a pond(world).
It is for each of us to support and act as family in Christ. Not try and put hurdles in the paths of others to see if they are sincere.
CARE should never be about denomination. I think the parable of the Good Samaritan shows us that.

Love TZ.xx

[ShakinStew]

It is true we cannot be in all places at all times, I'm trying to do what I can although that is difficult as I suffer from established renal failure. There is also my brother who is doing his best although he is working and suffers from diabetes, finally there is my dad who is unable to do much because of his age and had a hip replacement himself a few years ago. Has for the Jws well the expression " all words no action " spring to mind, this is not just because of the experiances with my mum but through my own, I have really had lots of problems over the last few years as the function of my kidney transplant as deteriated, during this time i received few vist phone calls etc.

[Gordon]

In my personal experience when at a time when I and my family needed support, it was non-existent.
Through my depression at the time, not one Elder or any other JW said "We'll help you get through this and back on your feet."
I have often said if they had given the love and support that their magazines boasted about in articles, I may still be a JW now.
It was the one thing that set me on the road to seriously question the Watchtower and to begin to look at them closely.

I recall aabout a JW sister , whose husband died (brain tumour), one of our Elders. Married 50+ years.
Both been a JWs all their lives.
It hit her badly, the one person she deeply cared for was gone.
She ended up being put in a home by her two sons, who were Elders in their own congregations.
My wife and I visited her, it was some distance away, and we didn't have a car, we couldn't do it to often.
But there was "supposed" to have been a rota set up so others would visit.
Over time we noticed her changing, she was a woman who cared about her looks, well dressed etc.
Last time we saw her she was untidy, hair not done, and she seemed to have lost herself.
She didn't even know who my wife and I were.
She died not long afterwards.
I often think she died from losing her husband, put in a home, were she knew no one.
Hardly being visited by people she had known for years.
The carers in the home said her sons very rarely visited either.
Also did she worry about not getting to meetings, and out on field service etc.

Its only now because of my own experience with them, that I realise as has been said "all words no action" .
Its almost as if you become no use to them anymore you are just pushed aside.

[ShakinStew]

Gordon I can relate to what you said

I have often said if they had given the love and support that their magazines boasted about in articles, I may still be a JW now.

I wonder how many feel the same way,I certainly do. The only real good thing is it makes you ask questions of The Watchtower.