Bad news: Jehovah's Witness "community member" loses her mind, embarasses herself and runs Jehovah's name in the dirt

[ChocoBro]

Don't know how else to name this topic.

 

One of the hard things about being Christian is putting up with the handful of crazy people in our ranks.

 

The story broke after there was an "arson attack" on one of our halls.. there was a big gasp of anxiety among brothers I know to begin with, until I saw the pictures...

 

http://www.ksta.de/panorama/menden-im-sauerland-brandanschlag-auf-zeugen-jehovas---raetsel-um-weisses-pulver-28358168

 

Quote

Menden -

An arson attack has been commited on a building of the Jehovah's Witnesses in the North Rhine-Westphalian city of Menden.

As the fire brigade informed on Tuesday night, small fires were ignited at several locations along the outside wall of the Kingdom Hall. The fire brigade was able to quickly clear the fires, only minor damage occurred.
 

White powder in the entrance

However, an unknown white powder was noticed by the rescue team behind the entrance of the building, . For this reason, the site was blocked and a special unit from Dortmund was alerted.

The so-called Analytic Task Force set up a mobile laboratory at the site and carried out an analysis of the white powder. "The analysis has shown that the substance is not dangerous," a spokesman for the Menden fire brigade told the German press agency.

Investigations carried out by State Security

The fire brigade did not want to say what the powder was identified as, exactly. The State Security Agency has begun investigating.

North Rhine-Westphalia was the last state to recognize Jehovah's Witnesses as a public body. Thus, the community has an equal status to that of the church.

In 2006, the controversial religious community was recognized by Berlin as a public body under public law after a long legal struggle.

According to Jehovah's Witnesses, there are more than 200,000 members in Germany. Critics criticise that the community is an "authoritarian sect" and a "restrictive organization" that expects blind obedience and isolates its members socially. (AP)

 

The State Security Agency (I suppose it's similar to Homeland Security) quickly had begun investigating the case because there had already been some minor attacks on the same hall with graffiti and minor damages.

 

Later, the story was amended

 

https://www.wa.de/nordrhein-westfalen/anschlag-zeugen-jehovas-menden-festnahme-noch-montagabend-8655697.html

 

Quote

Menden - "This area is video-monitored!" Neither the signpost of the Jehovah's Witnesses building nor the camera itself, nor the neighboring residential buildings, hindered a 34-year-old woman - herself a community member of the Jehovah's Witnesses - on Monday evening from more or less amateurishly igniting nine fires with charcoal lighters. The alleged perpetrator was arrested on Monday evening.

The State Security Agency , which had been called on at first, is no longer investigating. There is no offense to investigate, said the police on Tuesday afternoon from the press office.

The prosecutor's office Arnsberg and the Circuit police authority Märkischer Kreis are now responsible for the investigation.

Arson attack on Jehovah 's Witnesses in Menden - Powder poses no hazard

In a conversation with the editorial team, Thomas Schmelzer said: "It is not a religious or politically motivated act, but the 34-year-old woman from Menden lit the charcoal lighters next to the building as a result of personal dispute. The concrete motive is still unclear, we continue to investigate, the woman has not divulged any further information. "

The fire brigade of Menden was dispatched with a large squad on Monday evening, between 80 and 100 firefighters were in the meantime at the scene of the crime at "Green Way", halfway between the district Plattenheide and the town center.

Three hours later, almost 20 ABC (nuclear, biological and chemical attack) specialists from Dortmund joined the immense effort.

Anybody examining the cordoned off scene of the crime could clearly make out the soot at the base of the Jehovah's Witnesses' entrance to the town hall, found at the base and the red clinker bricks.

To the left of the corner, fire was placed at exactly eight points - six times at a distance of perhaps one meter, followed by two more places. It was still set several meters away from the main gas valve.

 

Even here, soot on the wall - the damage to the building is, however, only minor, since the fire brigade had quickly stifled the flames. But it is also clear that right in the middle of the residential area, the fire could have otherwise had devastating effects ...

The woman, who was supposed to have kindled the fire in the nine places, obviously had come by bicycle. On the bicycle, investigators found traces of charcoal lighters as were used at the crime scene.

Curiously, or due to naiveté: It was by no means dark. The woman had to expect to be seen in the middle of the residential area. On the other side, where she lit the eight fires, there are three multi-family houses next to each other. The front doors and many windows face the Kingdom Hall. The Jehovah's Witness community also referenced to the 34-year-old female.

Further investigations must now determine whether the woman is also responsible for damages that were left in the building of the Jehovah's Witnesses building weeks ago.

The white powder, which had been found in the entrance area, was a crumbled grill lighter, but it had not been lit by the 34-year-old.

 

 

Another report indicates the silly woman was quickly identified to the police by brothers who had video surveillance material of her carrying out the arson attack and was arrested the moment she arrived at her home on her bicycle, after which her bicycle was examined revealing traces of the charcoal lighters on her bicycle.

 

Supposedly she did not feel accepted in the community and had an argument with somebody or something.

 

No major damage was done but she obviously caused a huge circus. Not to mention all the embarassment and putting shame on Jehovah's name.  A lot of the comments from worldly people on facebook are along the lines of "The poor helpless lady probably lost everything to this wicked sect and couldn't think of any other way to fight back" and comments from brothers of course are all along the lines of assuming persecution.

 

So, a very negative and sad piece of news but I felt the need to share to get the full story across. Probably only half the story is going around facebook, instagram, whatsapp and so on.. the perpetrator in this case was just a nutty, frustrated "community member" (whatever that means, sister, study, interested person, I don't know).

 

[Tortuga]

It's sad to think that we will probably see a lot more of this. Whether it's a false witness or one of our friends with emotional or mental issues, it's going to happen.

[ChocoBro]

Just now, Tortuga said:

It's sad to think that we will probably see a lot more of this. Whether it's a false witness or one of our friends with emotional or mental issues, it's going to happen.

 

Well I suppose if 10% of the world is allowed to lose it, it's not so bad if 0.1% of our friends loses it, too. What do you expect in this system.

 

We had a crazy lady (interested person) in our Hall for a few years. She had an autistic son. She actually started showing signs of improvement, as did her boy. At the day of my baptism, she went of her rocker and said that we were all superficial hypocrites and joined the local Pentecostals. A few weeks later she showed up with "blessed roses" to distribute among our brothers that were supposed to free us of our mind control. The elders asked kindly that she leave them outside. Then she went inside and prostrated herself in front of a tetragrammaton sign. An interested man, a police officer asked her if she was sure she is in the right building. She never showed up again after that, but from what I heard, she spiraled ever deeper into her madness, egged on by Pentecostal brethren and neighbors until her beloved autistic boy was taken away from her by authorities.

 

 

 

[Tortuga]

When you think that over 8 million people are actively looking for people that need help, it's no wonder there is a large percentage of unstable people attending the meetings.  With 8 to 20 million people attending meetings, it's no wonder we hear about situations like this. I'm surprised there aren't more.

[LeslieDean]

So sad...yes we are under constant critical observation by others...

[hatcheckgirl]

Yes, very sad. It pains us to see Jehovah's name trashed like this. But looking at the bigger picture, we are a theatrical spectacle in the world. People who oppose Jehovah will always find fault in us, and use such incidents as grist for their hate mill.  They hated Jesus, probably called him mad and much worse. But it does hurt us nonetheless even though we expect such things to occur, slandering Jehovah's reputation. But is there anything he can't fix? That's the silver lining.

[harmania]

I hope this all happened because she maybe have mental problems, and not because of bad state of heart. Paradise is not only for healthy people. It's also for those are have gone totally ''crazy'' due to mental health problems. But what ever is the case,  this is bad reputation for jws. Sorry to hear this happen.

[Tortuga]

45 minutes ago, ChocoBro said:

but the 34-year-old woman from Menden lit the charcoal lighters next to the building as a result of personal dispute. The concrete motive is still unclear, we continue to investigate, the woman has not divulged any further information. "

I hate to think it but I wonder how many frustrated and unstable bible students turn on their conductors. 

[alohapaulette]

12 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

I hate to think it but I wonder how many frustrated and unstable bible students turn on their conductors. 

 

It goes all the way up the food chain, cherubs included.

[Miss Bea]

Well, this is sad. We had a really bad incident happen at our hall, years ago. The community was sympathetic. When goofiness happens, I remind people that the hall is a public place of worship. The ones tending to find fault, will do so. The ones not tending to find fault, will give us the benefit of the doubt. As this system goes on, and Satan's control is deeper entrenched...it's sad this happened, for a lot of reasons. A lot of reasons. 

[DLM]

When our new KH was torched back in 1988, it turned out to be a great witness to the townspeople and most people were outraged, so we surely do not know how it will be received by onlookers. Of course, when one of our own does something terrible, that is whole different thing. Whatever happens, all we can do is let Jehovah take care of it. It really hurts when something like this happens but we have all kinds of people interested in learning about our organization so anything can happen------and will happen.

[shali]

Funny, I watch the Leah Remini program that exposed Scientology and I kinda feel guilty because I think "someday they will do this to the true relgiion, to Jehovah's people and shame Jehovah's name" but I can't help but watch because if I find some of these people in my territory I want to know the right thing to say to comfort them.  If I were a Scientologist who left the Church, I wouldn't want anything to do with organized religion ever again.  I think if I found an ex-scientologist I would concentrate on the fact that an imperfect man wrote all the rules but we have a PERFECT, loving, impartial God and a Son who is just like him who runs our imperfect organization.

[Luezette]

As a person with a mental illness (yes, bipolar is a mental illness, as well as clinical depression), my heart goes out to my mental illness brethren. 

Our life is not pleasant and can be at times very confusing. Fortunately my mental illness brethren in the truth have Jehovah, and like the WT brought out today, Jehovah knows everything about us...more than we know of ourselves actually. So this means then that he is very compassionate and treats us compassionate too. 

Yes, the above incident brought dishonor on Jehovah yet Jehovah knows how to handle such disgrace, though yes it does distress us understandably so. Can we imagine the disgrace brought on Jehovah when David sinned? I mean he was a king and not only that but one of Jehovah's witnesses too. Yet Jehovah forgave him, though yes, he had consequences just like Jehovah said he would. 

So can we forgive this person above, whether she's a JW, a student, an interested person, or just someone who was there. Forgiveness does not mean condoning. It just means not holding things against the person. I know, for a fact based on my past lifestyle, that if Jehovah held stuff against me I'll most likely, actually in all probability, I wouldn't be here writing these words because without his forgiveness I'll still be doing the things I was doing, or worse, dead from the consequences of past lifestyle.

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 2017 by Luezette

[Peace be with you]

17 hours ago, ChocoBro said:

The story broke after there was an "arson attack" on one of our halls.. there was a big gasp of anxiety among brothers I know to begin with, until I saw the pictures...

 

http://www.ksta.de/panorama/menden-im-sauerland-brandanschlag-auf-zeugen-jehovas---raetsel-um-weisses-pulver-28358168

 

If this report is true (I cannot find supporting sources other than what you have provided), I think we are missing something here. 

While it could be a possibility she's unstable mentally, I have a suspicion that she's been influenced by apostate propaganda. I'll explain. 

 

In the original report, it says: 

There are more than 200,000 members in Germany. Critics complain that the community is an "authoritarian sect" and a "restrictive organization" that expects blind obedience and isolates its members socially. (AP)  – Quelle: http://mobil.ksta.de/28358168 ©2017

... sounds like something our opposers would say.

 

In the second, it says that this woman was motivated by 'personal disputes'. 

 

From where could the news site have got the false information about us? It could've been from other sources, but this woman may very well have said something along those lines. The news source has to be neutral and withhold some information while investigations are underway. But I have a little suspicion she has been influenced by apostates. 

An example of that in Britain is that a while ago, a Witness who wasn't disfellowshipped at this point had looked up information on the Internet slandering the organization. The elders tried to help him when he came forward with doubts. But he started spreading it to others and acting in an aggressive way. He visited other congregations under the guise of a worldly person and disrupted the opening prayers by shouting out his own prayer filled with apostate lies, using Jehovah's name. It was sick.  After being 'marked', he got violent and protested outside the Hall. Things got so bad that the police were called many times. A judge at a court told him straight to stop harassing us otherwise he could be imprisoned. He is now disfellowshipped. 

I don't like sharing these types of stories, but I'm in relief the situation was dealt with well. This situation will be sorted out soon, with Jehovah’s help. 

Edited September 18, 2017 by carlos
shortened the OP quotation

[Peace be with you]

[LINK REMOVED. We don't want to advertize those idiots here.]

 

This was the person I spoke about. 

Edited September 18, 2017 by carlos
Removed link

[carlos]

25 minutes ago, Peace be with you said:

While it could be a possibility she's unstable mentally, I have a suspicion that she's been influenced by apostate propaganda. I'll explain. 

 

Well, this is not impossible but it's not necessary either. The journalist probably googled "Jehovah's Witnesses" and the first site they came across contained the "authoritarian sect" remark. Regarding the "personal dispute", it says the brothers identified the person videotaped by the KH camera. They may have been the ones who said that she had a misunderstanding with soemone in the hall.

 

To me it sounds more like someone who is mentally unstable. She came in her bike in fill daylight and lighted those silly fires in front of a videocamera. Certainly not the smartest tool in the shed.

[hatcheckgirl]

It's hard to fathom, Andy, but there you go, it does happen.  The article says "O’Hare, whose wife is a Jehovah’s Witness, was told to pay £500 costs and ordered to stay away from all Kingdom Halls and places where JWs attend."  Poor sister living with him!

[Peace be with you]

Just now, hatcheckgirl said:

It's hard to fathom, Andy, but there you go, it does happen.  The article says "O’Hare, whose wife is a Jehovah’s Witness, was told to pay £500 costs and ordered to stay away from all Kingdom Halls and places where JWs attend."  Poor sister living with him!

Goodness knows what else she had to deal with.. to the point of breakdown. We wouldn't judge her if she chose to separate. 

[Peace be with you]

1 hour ago, Peace be with you said:

[LINK REMOVED. We don't want to advertize those idiots here.]

 

This was the person I spoke about. 

Sorry Carlos, just wanted to show wasn't spreading rumours. Still we don't want to give those fools publicity.

[Allabord4Jah]

In 2008 thru 2011, my congregation had a BIG issue with someone very similar to the above story, with the exception of lighting the fires.   Our elders, finally after a few years of contention and verbal bulling, threatening to cause bodily harm, held against one's will, lies of every sort, tremendous SHAME ON JEHOVAH"S HOLY NAME, stumbling friends's bible studies,  and many other unspeakable acts, they were finally asked to leave and never come back to our congregation.  They were not DF, but just asked to leave.   Two weeks ago, that same person and co., came back, and 1/4 of the congregation that knew that individual as soon as they walked through the doors.  I have to let you all know that we became very apprehensive!    Their visiting lasted 3 weeks (of meetings) and finally/perhaps the elders may have had to tell that same person and co., visiting is fine, but coming back is not welcomed.   Did we notice any changes in their personality and actions, some improvement in their personality?  NO, they were the same as when they first came.   

 

Yes, there are people in some congregations that have severe mental problems.  They look normal, and a group of them pretend to look normal but they really are not.  They are really wolves disguised as sheep.   They draw one's near with lies and set those innocent ones up, and then they pounce on their victims.  The victims are left scared and brutally hurt for years.   Some of us will be carrying this scare into the paradise, and then after that it will be gone.  But for now, we live with the scares.  Do I sound a bit bitter, yes I am.  No one knows unless you have been there and have been a victim yourself.       

[ChocoBro]

On 18.9.2017 at 6:13 AM, Luezette said:

As a person with a mental illness (yes, bipolar is a mental illness, as well as clinical depression), my heart goes out to my mental illness brethren. 

Our life is not pleasant and can be at times very confusing. Fortunately my mental illness brethren in the truth have Jehovah, and like the WT brought out today, Jehovah knows everything about us...more than we know of ourselves actually. So this means then that he is very compassionate and treats us compassionate too. 

Yes, the above incident brought dishonor on Jehovah yet Jehovah knows how to handle such disgrace, though yes it does distress us understandably so. Can we imagine the disgrace brought on Jehovah when David sinned? I mean he was a king and not only that but one of Jehovah's witnesses too. Yet Jehovah forgave him, though yes, he had consequences just like Jehovah said he would. 

So can we forgive this person above, whether she's a JW, a student, an interested person, or just someone who was there. Forgiveness does not mean condoning. It just means not holding things against the person. I know, for a fact based on my past lifestyle, that if Jehovah held stuff against me I'll most likely, actually in all probability, I wouldn't be here writing these words because without his forgiveness I'll still be doing the things I was doing, or worse, dead from the consequences of past lifestyle.

 

 

Hi Luezette

 

I think most people on this world are actually mentally ill in some sense. I know I am. My wife would vouch for that.

 

A lot of us struggle with some severe issues, and some have already lost that struggle and are basically just somewhat functioning shells, waiting to be healed the New System.

 

You are right that we can forgive a person no matter what they do, and that Jehovah knows the heart condition of each individual one of us in the end.

 

I suppose it just gets me angry when somebody's mental illness or state of mind shames our organization, Jehovah's name and stumbles "little ones".

 

16 hours ago, Peace be with you said:

 

If this report is true (I cannot find supporting sources other than what you have provided)

 

If you google "Zeugen Jehovas Menden" over a dozen news pieces will pop up, from local newspapers to focus.de and welt.de which are among the largest german language newspapers.

 

 

[hatcheckgirl]

3 hours ago, ChocoBro said:

I think most people on this world are actually mentally ill in some sense

 

Putting my hand up here too.  I look at it this way, this world is so stressful, our bodies and minds are so weak, is it any wonder we have mental issues?  But we don't give up.  We pray, take meds, go to a counsellor, stay fit and eat well, and do whatever we need to do to stay functioning as best as is possible.

 

For those who are like the "sister" in this article, only Jehovah knows what's going on there.  It may stumble some, for sure.  But how do we know they wouldn't have been stumbled anyway on something else?  If they are Jehovah's sheep, even a stumble won't stop them getting to know the truth.  We just have to wear the fallout, and Jehovah does the rest.

[ChocoBro]

8 hours ago, hatcheckgirl said:

 It may stumble some, for sure.  But how do we know they wouldn't have been stumbled anyway on something else?  If they are Jehovah's sheep, even a stumble won't stop them getting to know the truth.

 

I don't know. I feel like that takes away our responsibility in that regard. Mark 9:42

 

Maybe that only refers to decisions made by people who are sane enough to utilise their power of discernment, though.

[Luezette]

 

On 19/9/2017 at 10:19 AM, hatcheckgirl said:

 

Putting my hand up here too.  I look at it this way, this world is so stressful, our bodies and minds are so weak, is it any wonder we have mental issues?  But we don't give up.  We pray, take meds, go to a counsellor, stay fit and eat well, and do whatever we need to do to stay functioning as best as is possible.

 

For those who are like the "sister" in this article, only Jehovah knows what's going on there.  It may stumble some, for sure.  But how do we know they wouldn't have been stumbled anyway on something else?  If they are Jehovah's sheep, even a stumble won't stop them getting to know the truth.  We just have to wear the fallout, and Jehovah does the rest.

 

(I tried to quote just the part about taking meds, etc. Oh well) 

Anyway, yes that's what I do. That's really all I and the rest of my mentally ill brethren can do. And wait until Jehovah says it's done. 

Edited September 20, 2017 by carlos
Moved Luezette's word outside the quotation box.

[sunshine]

I'm a very sick person because the picture made me laugh... I know its no laughing matter but attempting to burn through a brick wall with what looks like some newspaper and a ciragrette lighter... still yes, its sad.  We must prepare for worse.