# Jehova's Witnesses and Mental Illness **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 14, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243 "2014-12-14T22:49:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reyemile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/1 "2014-12-14T22:49:41Z")
Okay, JWs. You want to stand around every train station in Boston and hand out flyers? Fine. More power too you. Anyone who wants to find out “Is Satan Real” and “What is the Truth about Jesus” can ask for your pamphlet. At least you’re not grabbing passersby by the arm or knocking on my door. But you cross the fucking line when you stand there with signs asking if we know the “truth” about mental illness. I didn’t read your pamphlets. I don’t know the specifics of your claim, nor do I fucking care. What I know is that any claim that religion–or lack thereof–is responsible for schizophrenia, bipolar, or depression is grossly irresponsible. Mental illness is _not_ a failure of faith. Mental illness is _not_ demonic possession. Mental illness is _not_ punishment from whatever evil imaginary God commands you to abandon your children if they question your faith. But worse, you’re preying at people at their most vulnerable. I know the condition I was in before getting effective treatment for my bipolar disorder. It absolutely sickens me to think that you would use that vulnerability to convert (even if it turns out you don’t actually claim any kind of causal relationship between religion and insanity (which I’d bet good money you do, even without reading your vile filth)). If you had any shame left after your religious indoctrination, you should feel ashamed of yourselves. So get your fucking lies out of my trains, and out of my city. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/2 "2014-12-14T23:40:21Z")
Pitting endorsed! I wonder how many people fail to get to the treatment they need because of ignorance like this. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/3 "2014-12-14T23:43:57Z")
You know any JWs? Well, I do and I almost said something untoward about expectations regarding them. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/4 "2014-12-14T23:46:04Z")
The only good thing the JW’s have done is produce Michael Jackson. Who, for a JW, sure sang the hell out of some Christmas songs. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/5 "2014-12-15T05:03:22Z")
This is just Crazy Talk! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/6 "2014-12-15T06:25:15Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > The only good thing the JW’s have done is produce Michael Jackson. > > Who, for a JW, sure sang the hell out of some Christmas songs. Not sure where you’re getting that. The little asshole sang the wrong, heretical version of _Santa Claus is Coming to Town._ Plus, one of the most annoying versions of\* I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus\* it has ever been my profound displeasure not to be able to avoid hearing. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/7 "2014-12-15T18:45:35Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > You know any JWs? Well, I do and I almost said something untoward about expectations regarding them. It’s the Pit. Don’t be shy; move toward the untoward. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/8 "2014-12-15T19:09:58Z")
Having moved out of the city to a private patch of woods has me feeling a bit jealous–no one comes to our door. Of course, I was the type of kid who would say Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! just to see what would happen, so maybe it’s good for my own sake. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/9 "2014-12-15T19:10:46Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > The only good thing the JW’s have done is produce Michael Jackson. I think Prince is JW as well, but he may have converted. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/10 "2014-12-15T20:24:17Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > The only good thing the JW’s have done is produce Michael Jackson. And Lisa Marie Presley was a Scientologist (she’s not any more) . . . that’s why the marriage didn’t work out. Michael just could **not** handle weirdness! ---
**Author:** ![butterfiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@butterfiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butterfiles)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/11 "2014-12-16T06:37:59Z")
This might be the article you saw at the train station: > **[Mental Health Disorders​—What You Should Know](https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/g201412/mental-health-disorders/)** > > Mental illness and its stigma affect the lives of millions. See what both patients and their loved ones can do to deal successfully with a mental disorder. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/12 "2014-12-16T06:50:29Z")
> [@butterfiles](#): > > This might be the article you saw at the train station: > > [http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201412/mental-health-disorders/](http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201412/mental-health-disorders/) For anyone too chicken to click on the link: > [@](#): > > Mental-health professionals can treat many mental-health disorders successfully. The first crucial step, then, is to obtain a thorough assessment from a competent health professional who is experienced in treating mental conditions. > […] > Many people have learned to deal with mental disorders after acquiring a better understanding of their condition and following the treatment prescribed by mental-health professionals. > […] > The Bible does not indicate that spirituality cures medical problems. Still, many families around the world have derived much comfort and strength from what the Bible teaches. > […] > While the Bible is not a health-care book, it provides practical guidance that can help us to cope with painful emotions and distressing circumstances. The Bible can also give us hope for a future when life on earth will be free of illness and pain. Don’t see this as me castigating you guys, as I jumped to the same erroneous conclusion you did. But this actually is the truth about mental disorders. Even if you disagree with the Bible part, you can’t disagree that many people have found comfort in the Bible. Good on you, Jehovah’s Witnesses. For once, I’m okay with saying you’re doing the Lord’s work. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/13 "2014-12-16T10:26:51Z")
Yeah, I don’t see the problem with that. Given my usual knee-jerk to inserting spirituality into the treatment of real problems, that should tell you something. It’s really straight-up good advice, with a garnish of “believing in God might make things a little easier, _if_ you’re also getting good professional help”. A far cry from scientology’s schtick. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/14 "2014-12-16T12:11:26Z")
I have no regrets. The version of _Santa Claus is Coming to Town_ that was performed by the Jackson 5, the Ronettes, and Bruce Springsteen is an abomination, and I’m not backing down from that. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/15 "2014-12-16T15:01:36Z")
What’s wrong with those versions? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/16 "2014-12-16T15:08:11Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Good on you, Jehovah’s Witnesses. For once, I’m okay with saying you’re doing the Lord’s work. Clearly, you are taking the recruiting pamphlet as if it were an accurate representation of JW views on mental health. In my experience, their actual views on mental health contradict the pamphlet, in that they do view mental illness as spiritual rather than physical in origin, and that they prefer such illnesses be addressed by and through the JW organization. See, for example, [this ex-member’s take on the same article](http://jwsurvey.org/news/watchtowers-advice-on-mental-health-a-tale-of-two-religions/comment-page-1), Also, I don’t think they go door-to-door so much anymore, now that they have discovered the ease of haunting mass transit. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/17 "2014-12-16T18:16:28Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I have no regrets. The version of _Santa Claus is Coming to Town_ that was performed by the Jackson 5, the Ronettes, and Bruce Springsteen is an abomination, and I’m not backing down from that. Santa Claus is comin’ to town, Santa Claus is comin’ to town, Santa Claus is comin’ to town! > [@Zebra](#): > > What’s wrong with those versions? Nothing! I especially love Clarence Clemons’ sax and backup vocals in the Boss’ version. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/18 "2014-12-16T19:18:42Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > What’s wrong with those versions? This. > [@cochrane](#): > > Santa Claus is comin’ to town, > Santa Claus is comin’ to town, > Santa Claus is comin’ to town! You don’t just _put_ extra phrases into a song like that. ONCE, at the end, as a coda for a little stylish flair, is acceptable. But not throughout the song, as though it was written and intended to be performed that way. That’s just a big ol’ steaming cup of “Nope.” ---
**Author:** ![Reyemile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/19 "2014-12-17T01:36:42Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Clearly, you are taking the recruiting pamphlet as if it were an accurate representation of JW views on mental health. In my experience, their actual views on mental health contradict the pamphlet, in that they do view mental illness as spiritual rather than physical in origin, and that they prefer such illnesses be addressed by and through the JW organization. See, for example, [this ex-member’s take on the same article](http://jwsurvey.org/news/watchtowers-advice-on-mental-health-a-tale-of-two-religions/comment-page-1), > > Also, I don’t think they go door-to-door so much anymore, now that they have discovered the ease of haunting mass transit. Plus, preying on the vulnerable conversion is scummy, even if one disguises one’s proselytizing with largely nonspecific (See a doctor! Don’t skip your medicine unless it’s unBiblical!) advice. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243/20 "2014-12-17T05:09:39Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > It’s the Pit. Don’t be shy; move toward the untoward. Nope. These people are nice and there are some whom I would count as acquaintances, if not friends, and I’m working on not offending nice people. As a group I have found they are not deep, and some seem like they were dropped on their heads as infants, but they are God’s creatures and we should be kind to them, even to the point of inviting them into our homes and giving them a cold drink so they don’t die because they are too witless to not walk around in business suits in August, even if it means we take a copy of _The Watchtower_ out of sympathy. And as good people we wait until they are gone before tossing their gift in the recycling. I find their new-found understanding of mental illness a wonderful sign of God’s power, in that even a people who, collectively, were oxygen-starved at birth have reached a fifth-grader’s understanding of basic medical science, though I assume He had to knock them upside the head with a 2x4 to get their attention, that being one of the “mysterious ways” He works in. God bless their little hearts. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jehovas-witnesses-and-mental-illness/707243.md?page=2)