@psycoskunk Said 
Sorry, but I have to call bulls*** on this. 6 years ago, when my great aunt (who was JW, but also had mental health issues) suffered from a stroke and never fully recovered from it. During the last few weeks of her life, she seemed to be getting better, but she needed to be scheduled for a blood transfusion later in the week.
About two days before the operation, my grandma got a call from the hospital saying that she needed to come down as there was 'something that needed to be discussed.' (Me and my mom were at her place at the time, so we all went together.) Imagine our surprise when we arrive in her room and find 7... That's right, 7 Jehovah's Witnesses basically crammed into a small room and they're getting upset with the doctor about "This is an affront to God," and "The Lord doesn't want this for her," and blah, blah blah... My aunt STILL wasn't feeling good and probably needed to rest, which is pretty impossible when they kept trying to talk to her!
My grandma and mom both can have pretty wicked tempers and when they saw this, they were livid. The doctor, poor guy, was just trying to keep everything calm, but they had to escort everyone out of the room while this was going on. So my mom and grandma are arguing with whomever the head JW was or whatever they call themselves, but anyway, she was saying that "It's in Jehovah's best interest to let her pass and if you truly loved her, you would let Him do His bidding." Which pissed off my grandma even more as that was her sister they were talking about. But this is where the story gets really messed up as something I remembered hearing a while back clicked in.
((Allow me to shed some light on my aunt. Her and her sister were considered the party girls back in their day. Always good for a laugh, or a good time, they were also avid softball players. Around that time, she started getting into JW, not going to many parties, doing fundraisers for the church, etc... Interestingly enough, my aunt married a brother of another 'notorious duo,' my cousin's grandpa. He's black, which really messed with a lot of the people at the church. Apparently she almost got kicked out because of it. But she pleaded for them to let her stay. For whatever reason, she thought she needed them. Anyways, around that time was when she her mental health started to deteriorate. She'd believe that God would speak to her sometimes and that for a time, her husband was going to kill her, but these sort of delusions would come and go. I think the Church probably noticed a change in her because after that time, we rarely saw her again because she was so devoted to them. She wasn't even speaking to her sister because of an argument they had involving the Church. So for a period of time, she didn't have much contact with the family. But here's the messed-up part. They got divorced after a number of issues popped up, but the straw that broke the camel's back was...
She had changed her will so that the Church would get everything.))
It was all about money to them. Always has, always will. Even when my aunt was well, they were trying to bleed her dry. As I thought of this, I could hear two of the other JWs in the back, teenage girls for some reason, but I overheard one of them saying that it was, quote, "Sad and pathetic when heathens try desperately to prevent their loved ones from leaving them when all they want is to be with God."
Now, I'm not a violent person. Never have I been the one to instigate a fight, nor have I ever hit a woman, nor will I. But I was close. She was lucky she was holding a Watchtower because before I realized what I did, I grabbed it from her hand tore it in half as loud as I could. Her and her friend screamed as they didn't know what I was doing, my mom, grandma, the JWs, even the doctor looked over at me as I said to that b**** in a slow, cold tone. "Do you know what's equally pathetic? Leeching off of a woman who has mental health problems. Stealing her money and turning her against her own family. Trying to deny her medical help just so you can CASH IN ON HER WILL!" (I had to lower my voice at that point, but it was tough. Never was I so mad in my entire life.) I continued to tear up the pamphlet in front of all of them, then I threw the confetti in the girl's face and stormed out. My mom was trying to stop me and talk to me while my grandma got even more upset. As I walked by, the head JW said "God has a special place in Hell for you."
My mom isn't as forgiving as I am. The woman barely finished her sentence when "BAM!" my mom knocked her down in one punch. At that point, security had to escort us outside, the JWs left later apparently. But as I left, I shouted down the hall. "And Satan has a special place in Hell for you... on his spiny d***!!!" All the JWs gasped, the doctor had a shocked look on his face and I could've sworn I heard one of the security guards stifle a laugh.
In the end, she ended up passing away before they could reschedule another transfusion... and as the will suggested, the Church basically got everything. My cousin only has a few old toys and pictures to remember his grandmother by, my grandmother lost her sister and STILL feels grief over it and me... Apparently there's a special place in Hell for people sticking up for family members.
I'm sorry to say this, Cornish... actually, no I'm not. As long as Jehovah's Witness' continue to live in the Dark Ages, then they should keep it to themselves. Just because you prayed with someone that one time doesn't mean that you know better then their family. Just because you both like the same book doesn't mean you have any say in what happens regarding that person's life. Just because you believe what they believe, it doesn't mean everyone else has to. This may sound extremely biased against the JWs. It is, and is meant to be. They took from me my great aunt, my cousin's grandma, my grandma's sister and as far as I'm concerned, they can ALL pop a squat on Satan's bloody, rotting, corrupted, putrescent, disgusting, pulsating, diseased, spiked d***!!!
And if I were you Cornish, I'd distance myself from them as soon as possible. They, like Scientology, are a scam and you are far too smart and spiritual a person to fall for such a hoax.
/Rant
No need to apologise. and I am sorry to hear the story.
However it doesn't alter the facts that God is right and always will be.
I can come out with dozens of experiences that counter yours, one of which is. I don't mean to denigrate what you say, but there are exceptions to every rule at present and it sounds like your.
P a, also sorry that the Brothers and sisters present appear to have been being insensitive but they really did have your Aunt's best interests at heart, even if, as sounds like the case, they handled it badly.
You are right about it being all about money. Blood is the cheapest alternative.
I hope you aren't suggesting that the JWs were trying to bleed her dry because if you are, you are a long way from the truth. There is no compulsion for anyone to give anything to the organisation, though since it does run entirely on voluntary contributions it is obviously encouraged. However no-one knows who gives what or even if they give anything.
I should know because when I was one I gave what I could, when I could. If I had nothing to give that is what I gave. If I could give without making my family suffer I would drop whatever into the contribution box at the back. No-one ever knew if I had given anything or how much, and no-one ever asked. Even now if I were by some miracle to inherit anything I would give what I could of it to the organisation since I know how it is used.
Yes JWs do tend to leave a fair bit, if not all of their money to the organisation, after all they know that it is all used to further the ministry that was so important to them. No-one gets rich on it. It is all used to try and save people's eternal lives.
I obviously can't comment much on the actual events because I was not there, and I do know that it is an emotive subject for Brothers and Sisters because they know only too well how God feels about it.
You say t was 6 years ago. If that is so I do not understand why the Hospital Liaison Committee was not involved because they would have solved the problem in a way that was acceptable to all. That is their job, and it is thanks to them, and the Doctors and Surgeons they work with, that so many operations are now available without blood. They have a list of many doctors, in many specialities who are only too happy to help JWs out, and they have been active, to my knowledge for over 30 years.
When my son had problem with enlarged tonsils and the local hospital refused to do anything without blood they put me in touch with a Harley Street Physician, also a Brother, who treated my sons tonsils free of charge and sorted the problem for us.
You may find this experience interesting. I know it has nothing to do with strokes but does give some idea of the work of the Hospital Liaison Committee who could have helped you Aunt no end.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102000325#s=0:0-20:45
More on the Hospital Liaison Committees:
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102000003#s=15:0-15:605
I hope that helps you understand a little better.
Nov 28, 2012 @ 15:35:09
