Homeless man attacks elders in Waco, TX Kingdom Hall

[JudyO]

www.wacotrib.com/news/police/man-arrested-in-church-disturbance/article_c2e862b4-a51b-5c40-8dac-1af54033c1d5.html

 

I was wondering if anyone knows what his motive was? Maybe a former unbelieving spouse? Or just mentally deranged?

 

[kejedo]

When I was pioneering in Maine, we used our Library as our break room. We fielded many phone calls. Some people look at churches as food banks and called KH looking for handouts. This was one reason some individuals became angered.

Another situation was when a man would come in. He was writing critical articles about Jehovah's Witnesses and would just sit in the library using our volumes and taking notes. That was before the internet was popular enough to make info readily available. This man never joined the meetings, just used the lIbrary during meeting times. Eventually, he was invited to leave.

I don't know what motivated this offender, but I just thought I'd throw a couple more ideas out there as to reasons some people become unreasonable.  

So sorry for the Brothers and Sisters in that congregation.  

[kejedo]

This parallel article mentions three elders were attacked and one was ambulanced to the hospital.  Our poor brothers.

http://www.kwtx.com/ourtown/home/headlines/Waco-Three-Elders-Attacked-At-Waco-Place-Of-Worship-Man-Arrested-334268291.html

[rbrown1205]

Many friends who are in the field service regularly notice that people who don't have a lot of money will look at us as a source of charity or money.   This is because many churches basically consider their ministry to be giving to the financially poor. 

 

But, maybe some may have seen it, but I have never seen either the Israelite temple or synagogues, or the first century Christian congregation meetings as a source of food or financial help for people in general, no food or clothing banks,etc.  It seems like this is what one does individually.

 

There are some really good articles on the subject and in many of them scriptures such as Galatians 2:10 and Proverbs 3:27, and even Mark 14:7, which refer to individual giving to poor people in general when we have something to give.  But most of the counsel is about giving to our brothers and sisters first in the case of the Israelites, and also with those who are in the Christian congregation, especially in times of disaster. 

 

Poor http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003524

Gifts of Mercy http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001690

Follow Jesus Example and Show Concern for the Poor http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2006321

 

It is easy to understand that you can't give money away to everyone - you run out after a while, and Christians have obligations to their family and the Good News, and the congregation.   Some people will use money that we might give them for drugs or alcohol, or to continue a bad life style.

 

One time a lady that I called on in a poor area kept "losing" the publication (the Bible Stories book) that I placed with her at no cost.  I don't know what she did with them or their replacements, and she wouldn't say, either, but after replacing them several times, I stopped leaving them with her, but brought an extra publication with me and asked for it back.  I wanted to make sure that she was getting the message, so she could benefit herself spiriturally and be a good example.  My suspicion was that she was selling them.  She stopped being there for our appointments right afterward.    I don't know what else I could have done - do you?  She was not benefiting from the message, she only apparently used them as a source of income.

[Julsey]

A couple of weeks ago, an announcement was made at our service meeting that on the previous Monday, the night another congregation has their TMS and service meeting, a man was careening around the parking lot as a sister was leaving on her own, shouting abusive things.  We were told that, from now on, if we are there in the evening and leaving early, we need to wait until attendants can escort us out.  I imagine things will only get worse from here on out.

[Tcvancoops]

i knew a sister whose congregation had a similar disturbance, but by a woman. No police involved since eventually the woman left after screaming during the watchtower study. And we all have issues out in service. I've had a shot gun pointed at me once. Always fun. Good thing we have each other to keep us strong.

[Salva]

It's very sad to hear such bad news.. People can be so unpredictable, and especcialy if they have psychological, and internal conflicts, or they use drugs, or have drunked a lot, or other financial, or familiar problems...

In my job, I am noting that these cases are more now, than ten years ago.. In several cases they have a severe mental ilness, and when they are psychotic, horrible things can happen If you are unfortunately their target..

But what the case may be, I hope that the brothers and sisters, can peacefully have their meetings in the future..

[Precision]

 And we all have issues out in service. I've had a shot gun pointed at me once. Always fun. 

 

Only once ?      I've had guns pulled on me twice on the reservation, then once in town,  and latter a switchblade, and an irate pentecostal preacher threatening to beat me up, accusing us of stealing his sheep.  Haven't been shot yet...just smile calmly and tactfully share the positive good news.      

[ReadYourBible]

Only once ? I've had guns pulled on me twice on the reservation, then once in town, and latter a switchblade, and an irate pentecostal preacher threatening to beat me up, accusing us of stealing his sheep. Haven't been shot yet...just smile calmly and tactfully share the positive good news.

No guns, but there were three males on the reserve driving past us a few times while a sister and I were going door to door. There was another sister waiting for us during this. I said to those girls you are to never come here again without a brother. The looks those men gave sent chills down my spine. I am SO glad I came with them, they were going to go there by themselves

I told the brothers too.

Edited October 21, 2015 by cerebral ecstasy

[ReadYourBible]

I should probably mention that I grew up in a fairly rough part of town, where gang violence was the norm. My Dad did mechanic work for a prominent bike gang in his youth. I don't usually get too scared by things, unless there's someone banging on my door looking for trouble. Yet, for those people to give me the creeps... They had to have been very bad. I also used to deal with murderers and rapists at work... So I'd like to think my sense of self preservation is fairly finely honed.

[Tcvancoops]

Only once ?      I've had guns pulled on me twice on the reservation, then once in town,  and latter a switchblade, and an irate pentecostal preacher threatening to beat me up, accusing us of stealing his sheep.  Haven't been shot yet...just smile calmly and tactfully share the positive good news.      

No, not just once. Well, the shotgun was once. But I've been threatened with everything; pistols, knifes, baseball bats, and a German shepherd and the man's rosarie.

[Precision]

 and the man's rosarie.

 

   

[Sheep]

. . . I've had a shot gun pointed at me once. . .

 

. . .  I've had guns pulled on me twice on the reservation, then once in town,  and latter a switchblade, and an irate pentecostal preacher threatening to beat me up. . .

 

. . . I've been threatened with everything; pistols, knifes, baseball bats, and a German shepherd and the man's rosarie.

 

Woww! You've had a lot more than I ever got. I only had an egg thrown at me by a hidden sniper. It just missed my foot, but it would have made a mess if I had been hit with it. Oh yes, and I've had my share of being shouted at, but that doesn't top the egg.

 

It takes lots of self-control in the ministry when we're threatened like that. (w85 12/15 page 23, subheading "Self-Control When Preaching.")

[Tortuga]

Woww! You've had a lot more than I ever got. I only had an egg thrown at me by a hidden sniper. 

 

Must have been a Trinitarian. The Shell, the White, the Yoke, these three are one...

Edited October 22, 2015 by Tortuga