Richard White, 63, a Jehovah’s Witness, has been identified by authorities as the man who wielded a machete on Friday night (March 20, 2015) at Louis Armstrong, New Orleans International Airport.
Also armed with insect spray during the attack, White charged past Transportation Safety Administration agents in Concourse B, spraying insecticide into their eyes and brandishing a machete just before 8 pm local time.
TSA Officer, JPSO Lt. Heather Slyve, who was stationed at the security checkpoint, opened fire, apparently striking White three times but also shooting a female TSA agent in the arm and grazing a male traveler.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand told reporters White was a taxi driver and recently received a chauffeur’s license. He had a minimal criminal history — “some ‘disturbing the peace’ charges and a couple of traffic attachments.”
A former neighbor, Donna Jackson, told The Times Picayune that White “was a deeply religious man,” describing him as “a Jehovah’s Witness who shunned Western medicine.” White apparently encouraged her to use herbal remedies to treat her diabetes.
Jackson said the Whites attend the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses near the airport at 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd in Kenner.
After the incident White was transported to the hospital and refused “certain types of medical care” according to Sheriff Newell Normand. He died at 4.02pm local time on Saturday March 21st, 2015.
The Sheriff confirmed that, during the attack, White dropped a lighter and a bag of six glass Mason jars with cloth wicks soaked in gasoline.
Smoke bombs and tanks of highly-flammable acetylene, refrigeration gas Freon and oxygen were discovered in the trunk of his car, the Sheriff said.
His motives and reasons for being at the airport are unknown. His family are said to be co-operating with law enforcement and have indicated that White was known to experience mental health issues.
Further reading…
- NBC: Suspect in Machete Attack at New Orleans Airport Has Died
- NBC: Authorities Try to Determine New Orleans Airport Machete Attacker’s Motive
- ABC: Authorities Search for Motive in Machete-Wielding Airport Attack
- Breitbart: Louisiana Airport Attacker Was Jehovah’s Witness, Had Molotov Cocktails
- Jehovah’s Witness Reporter article
I wonder how long it will take before the Society issues a statement saying that this particular person was not a member in good standing in his congregation. A tragic case.
how much can we bet he was on some sort of antidepressants?
Actually, the poor buggar probably wasn’t on medication at all. I think the article said he ‘shunned all Western medicine’. And unfortunately, this was the end result.
Wow! An agent shooting in a hall full of people, what are they thinking?!? Have they had training?! Is this supposed to be safety? Using teamwork to take control of a situation? It’s pathetic!
Due to using such extreme force, this guy can’t be put to justice, and we will perhaps never discover his motivation…
Gareth, you missed a point, it wasn’t extreme force, it was subduing force. If the machete wielder had taken the Western medical treatments (strong implication that no blood was used), the probability increased of surviving the wound and not bleeding out on the operating table.
There but for the grace of God goes “tight pants”…
Hi JBob. I would have believed it to be subduing force if it were one shot in the leg. In this case it was three shots; chest, leg, and face. Reports are that White was at first spraying, then took his machete, an officer hit him with luggage; so some time passed in which agents could execute their trained response action. Shooting someone three times is evidence of a fear reaction to me, not a well reasoned response.
That’s exactly what I thought. Probably a case of “tight pants”. As many people are known to think “down there”, the tight pants must have cut off blood flow from his brain, which had a negative impact on his clear thinking faculties. So: Tony III is right – RIGHT? Tight pants are baaaaad 4 u.
When the control of a cult enforces all that it does on each ones life, its no surprise that anyone with mental health problems had then worsened.
Being in the military then becoming a JW didn’t help did it, poor man. so very sad pleased no one else was fatally injured, hope some more comes out about this man’s life. Who knows what medication he was on and what triggered this terrible freak out.
What triggered this terrible freak out? Simple: He was probably mixing up “wielding the sword of the spirit” with “swinging the machete of the evil spirits”. His pants were just too tight …
BTW: The greek word for “sword” (like in Eph 6,17) is “máchaira”, from which our modern “machete” is derived. Soooo … it all makes sense now.
It’s a pity he wasn’t wearing the ‘breastplate of righteousness’, Citricus. It might have saved his life!
Sure, if it would have been bulletproof – along with the “helmet of salvation” to keep the lead away from his think bulb – nah, that wouldn’t have been necessary, as his brain was elsewhere (further down, in the “tight pants”-region. And I like the “Citricus”, that’s funny.)
I’m sorry, Criticus. I just realized I spelled your name incorrectly.
That’s OK, no offense taken. Else, I could take my machete and come over to have a little chat …
*** yb12 p. 229 Rwanda ***
The Kingdom Hall was used as a hospital
It was a Cholera Outbreak. Kingdom Halls should be used as hospitals not only for Cholera Outbreaks, but also for Mental Health problems in JWs! Most of them are Masochistic others suffer different types of mental illnesses.
Consider the following from JWs publications, do you think JWs are different?
*** g93 4/8 p. 28 Watching the World ***
Teenage Satanism
Satanism is gaining ground in schools in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to the newspaper The Star, one psychologist says she has treated a number of students affected by Satanism. Patients spoke of suburban covens that took drugs and practiced sex and sadomasochistic orgies. Contrary to stereotypes, she says, “these children look perfectly respectable.” A police officer told The Star that police are aware of satanic groups throughout the country. Satanism is not illegal, but the police follow up on crimes related to satanic rituals. They recently arrested a teenage girl and her boyfriend for the murder of a 38-year-old woman. Both were involved with Satanism, and they told the police that they committed the murder under demonic influence.
This is so sad on so many levels. The Man who did this, was obviously in a great deal of distress. The fact that he was shot dead by the Police. I live in England where the police are not generally armed. I feel appalled that a mentally Ill man was shot dead like this. And who knows his life history, to say what role the Watchtower had in this ? Some one else said he was ex army, and if true he could have experienced trauma that remained unresolved and acted out in this incident.
So…I guess when some is running after you, waving a machete, with explosives at the ready, we should just politely ask them to drop their weapon. Maybe wrestle them to the ground, if you can do so without getting your hands chopped off. You don’t sound too bright.
Ever heard of a TASER, Big D.
I think I am safe in saying that most Brits. are left speechless at American gun law.
This man appears to have served his country, which turned him into a Killing machine to uphold American Foreign policy. God only knows what trauma the poor man faced…so he finds God for a while, which gives him some relief from his Angst… and then the poor git flipps….sorry Big D..
They may have had to take him down for the safety of others…but they didn’t need to take him out!
Tasers are mostly single round devices..a few can carry three rounds. The taser barb is ineffective if the attacker is wearing thick clothing or body armor–just ask the police in Copenhagen, or in Paris, at the site of the Charlie Hebdo attacks.
Also, reports seem to indicate that he died after arriving at the hospital and refusing an emergency blood transfusion.
Oh, and I’m not fond of US gun laws and how they allow such easy access to untrained civilians. I also agree that our foreign policy is misguided. I just don’t see what this has to do with a trained police officer TAKING DOWN a machete wielding attacker bent on destruction. I supposed the lady officer should have asked: “have you taken your meds today, sir?” before acting.
It seems he was trying to blow the place up and killing an awful lot of people and it seems that in the hospital they tried to save him but I bet he refused blood since he’s a witness. It is very sad. I think he might have been on anti-psychotic medication which a lot of times makes people imagine things that aren’t there.
Folks,
What a sad situation. Rest in peace, Mr White.
I am relieved that he did not cause any fatalities.
We shall never know what triggered his attack, but being a JW did not help him.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
This could have and does happen with individuals in any religion. Where it goes terribly wrong for those who are devoted or associated with the Jehovah’s Witness’s is that their Governing Body through their printed page and advice from inexperienced elders look down on seeking outside professional help from educated “Worldly” Professionals. It was stated that he had mental issues that obviously from his actions were not treated in a Professional way or his religion only compounded the problem.
I wonder what is being said at his local Kingdom Hall about the end times and airport security, terrorism, etc,??
Was he about to be disfellowshipped and lost it?
A Jehovah’s Witness doesn’t do anything without the Watchtower controlling their actions, thoughts, etc,.
What message was being heard in his Kingdom Hall?
@Mama Joy, according to their Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 2015, they are reading 1 Samuel.
(1 Samuel 15:3) . . .You must not spare them; you are to put them to death, man as well as woman, child as well as infant, bull as well as sheep, camel as well as donkey.’”
Organizational statement.
“Jehovah’s Witnesses abhor hacking travelers with a machette and strive to protect travelers from such acts.”
Has there been any research on the percentages of the mentally unstable who are attracted to JWdom in the first place? That is quite apart from any mental problems and distress caused by living on a diet of JW poison.
We hear of newsworthy monsters like Rosemary West, the Yorkshire Ripper and that sadistic foster mum from Gloucestershire, recently released from Jail.
Does the Watchtower attract, indeed find easy prey amongst the inadequate, more than other evangelising religious groups?
Tightpants Tony seems clearly to have been damaged by his pre JW Vietnam experience.
I presume that a case like the one here, even if it leaves the front pages, will continue to be news, and we may discover more about what led to the guy’s apparently murderous plans, and whether the JW connection could have been a cause of his problems, a symptom, neither or both.
Any studies, if there have been any, on the psycho state of JW recruits, would be interesting.
If someone has a preexisting condition BEFORE becoming a JW, just seems like a disaster waiting to happen. Like pouring gasoline on a fire.
Take our service vets for example. Many of them find support from other vets, such as those from the Vietnam era. Others find professional counseling through the VA or other organizations. It ain’t perfect, but every little bit helps. Now, imagine becoming a JW and being told that your veteran buddies, with shared experiences are now ‘bad associations.’ Also, your ‘worldly’ therapists are not worth seeing.
It’s like pouring gasoline on a fire, so it seems.
Something tells me that no one at his local hall is surprised in the least.
I could rattle off the names of 4-5 oddballs who were in and out of congregational trouble in my 33 years there.
I’m certain anyone can think back and remember someone in the cult that was a little “off”, a “loner”. Someone who always gave you the creeps. Someone where news like this would not surprise you.
So true, my congregation was full of some of the strangest people you could ever meet.
Soooo, 1984 version of the progressive NWT calls apostates as “mentally diseased” while the newer 2013 are just labeled as “obsessed”.
@Jakemon75. I think your comment was BRILLIANT & had me Rolling about the floor laughing my head off!! The Governing Body ABHORS Child Abuse& ABHORS Hacking Travellers at Airports with MACHETES!!!
The Governing Body ABHOR Religions that make False Prophecies& ABHOR Birthdays as they Glorify and give undue attention to an individual BUT not Wedding Anniversaries as they ONLY Glorify TWO People ???? JEHOVAH Witnesses ABHOR Blood Transfusions as Blood should be poured out onto the ground BUT Blood Fractions which come from Worldly people who Don’t pour their blood onto the ground we can use their blood to get blood fractions from to save our life!!
Thank JEHOVAH for Worldly people’s Blood!!
“Jehovah’s Happy People”
Apparently this man was in the military at one time. Wonder if he was a Vietnam Vet. Age is about right.
If people don’t have psychological problems before joining WT, they soon will.
You are right. As they are reading 1 Samuel now!
(1 Samuel 15:33) . . .Samuel hacked Aʹgag to pieces before Jehovah at Gilʹgal.
The Witlesses spend so much time, energy and money following teachings that have repeatedly been proven wrong, studying the same material over and over again (much of which is totally irrelevant, i.e. ancient Hebrew customs and traditions), going to multiple meetings per week, singing hideous hymns, running up and down the streets like headless chickens, condemning to a horrible anyone who disagrees with them, ostracizing anyone who disagrees with them, including close family members and friends, denying cases of child abuse and harboring the abusers, rejecting life-saving medical procedures even for their children, condemning “worldly” governments yet taking advantage of their physical protection, legal and constitutional protection, and tax breaks, contributing copious amounts of money so their Glorious Leaders (whom they follow like gods) can build a Real Estate Empire and pay off costly lawsuits incurred by the aforementioned abuses of children, and condemn education.
Who’s REALLY “obsessed”???
Who’s REALLY “mentally diseased”???
The astounding thing about most religious people is that they believe they can win “salvation” by studying some “holy” book, singing a few songs, following a very particular set of rules and reg’s, and, in the case of JWs, running around the streets like chickens, to spread their “message”. Either that, or the “New Age” “spirituality”: Wearing some religious symbol around one’s neck (I see crosses everywhere, and NONE of these people are Christian), sporting some “tribal” tattoo, or going around saying, “I’m a very spiritual person” (whatever the hell that means). Which religion or “spiritual belief” teaches things like humanity, compassion, honor, loyalty, basic human decency, ethics, responsibility, maturity, REALITY, discipline, even logical thinking and analysis? Which religion or “spiritual belief” teaches people how to be human beings?
Religion is a Big Factory that mass-produces Robots.
And New Age “spirituality” nonsense is just a system that sociopaths use to feel good about themselves.
Neal – I’ve just had to spend some of my time deleting yet another flurry of silly, off-topic remarks from you, seemingly attempted as humor. I seem to recall already warning you about this breach of the posting guidelines. I’m afraid if you continue to ignore me in this regard I will have no choice but to revoke your ability to comment. At the very least, please save all the drivel for one easily-deletable comment rather than stretching it into a plethora of one-liner silliness across the site.
Neal Krouni,
Your compassion and fellow feeling are so lacking that I suspect that it is you who is sociopathic!
You abuse scientists, religious people and anyone else that does not fit into your nebulous world view!
Lest you forget, YOU were a Jehovah’s Witness at one time, weren’t you? You believed all the nonsense, didn’t you?
How was your belief in nonsense any different from the lady with the cross tattooes?
Believe it or not, Neal Krouni, that lady is just as much a human being as you! How dare you be so disgustingly rude and offensive to someone you obviously feel you are superior to!!!
You are not superior to her or to anyone.
How about having a bit more compassion for people, Neal? There are many unfortunate people who don’t know what you know. They are ignorant, not inferior or unimportant.
I judge people by the content of their character, not what job they do or faith they follow.
I’m glad that you are free from the cult of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I’m sorry that you family have been weaponised against you. However, constantly belittling other people is no way to behave. It will win you no respect or friends.
You have a lot to offer. You are obviously an intelligent person. Go and use your skills to benefit yourself and others.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
I have always come to this site for sensible information regarding the distorted teachings of JWs.
I am taking a course on research methods now, and the information presented in this article seems to be borderline sensationalistic.
Mental health issues affect all sorts of people regardless their religion. Would Mr. White have gotten this kind of media attention had he belonged to any other religion?
I would hate to see this site steering away from all the sensible and insightful postings that Lloyd has written so far. I do not bother to read any other sites on JWs because they seem to lack the reasonableness I usually find here. In my opinion, former JW “activists” can easily go from one extreme (blind loyalty to Watchtower) to the other (fallacious opposition) on their journey away from indoctrination. I am just trying to put myself in the shoes of someone that is fading and is looking for objective evidence that Jehovah Witnesses do not have the truth. It takes a lot of personal growth, research and self-contemplation to find out that you have been spiritually and psychologically mislead for so many years!
By the way, I am looking forward to reading Lloyd’s book when it gets published. It will certainly be the best book after Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz.
Wally, can you point to anything in Sussanah’s article that hasn’t already been reported by the media? I don’t think you will be able to. That being said, by calling this article “sensationalistic” why are you holding JWsurvey to higher standards than ABC and NBC, or have you similarly written to those organizations to protest their coverage of this story? If you are to throw unfair criticism at this website, I do hope you’re at least consistent by similarly registering your disapproval with the big boys. And if all else fails – hey, at least you can always set up your own “non-sensationalist” blog site. Heaven knows this site and JehovahsWitnessReporter.com need the competition.
@ Excelsior!
First of all, Mr. “Excelsior”, you know NOTHING about me, so stop scolding me like you’re my Dad. I get enough bulls**t from my psychotic family, Thank you very much. Secondly, I NEVER said OR implied that I was superior to anyone. And lastly, I WISH I had had access to the kind of cold, compassionless comments that I put out on this site, when I was much younger!!! It would have WOKEN ME UP a LOT SOONER!!!
P.S.: You’re lucky this website has rules. If you would like to engage in a more open and unrestricted dialogue, I’ll be happy to provide you with my email address.
Jesus said “love your enemies”, “turn the other cheek”, and forgive “77 times”. I wonder if the Department of Homeland Security would be willing to let 77 terrorist attacks go unpunished. ;)
This incident only proves that Islamic terrorists are no crazier than Jehovah’s Witnesses. It’s only their methods that differ – except in this case (taking into account that the poor guy WAS suffering from psychological problems, which were possibly exacerbated by his association with WT). Another cold, compassionless comment for you to brood over, Excelsior. Some people talk the Talk. Others walk the Walk. Stay off my back bit*h. Lots of people are reading this, and I can have you kicked off this website for personal abuse. I’ve had it with wimps like you. Grow up or get lost.
@wally. Enjoyed your comments BUT I think it is important to highlight this Sadly Delusional man is a JW because the JW Organisation Has Many,Many Mentally Damaged People in it . I know of at least 30 out of 120 in my congregation are on some Anti Depressant or Herbal Remedy to treat M.E. Fibromyalgia,Chronic Fatigue, etc I have seen many some of my friends who have committed suicide because of Mental a Problems! There is higher rate of Mental & Emotional Instability amongst JWs than in the General Population. Perhaps you could include that in your Research!
Neal Krouni
My family are still in the org. They are good people. They are not mentaly deseased, or obsessed, they are just not awake yet. One thing I Always keep in mind before running people in the org down, is that once upon a time, that was me. (And you)
When ever I read articles like this one, it leads me to wonder, where was the ‘Holy Spirit’. Why was the holy spirit not helping this man, or thousands like him. If the holy spirit is so powerful, why are so many truly dedicated people suffering with mental health. I remember going home from so many meetings feeling flat. When I mentioned this to an elder, I was told it was because I was not allowing the holy spirit to work. It was MY fault. I don’t get it. I really don’t.
Not sure if this is classed as off topic, so apologies if it is.
@ FEELINGSICKTOMYSTOMACH
Thanks for the great life advice. I’m sure your family ARE good people, because you obviously have not been through the HELL I have. Also, I think we’ve all been bullied for our “beliefs”, like in high school, e.g. for that not-standing-for-the-national-anthem crap. I was even threatened with being beaten up by some jerk. We ALL took our lumps. The things I say on this site are NOTHING compared to that. And at least I have a sense of humor about it! I don’t know about you, but I WAS obsessed. I WAS mentally diseased. I don’t know how anyone could not be, being subjected to that mind-control day after day, week after week, year after year. I don’t know which JW world you’re from. Maybe everyone’s experience is different. But frankly, if attending 5 meetings a week, studying the same material over and over again endlessly, and running up and down the streets like a chicken, all of which I FREELY ADMIT to have done, does not qualify as obsession to you, please tell me what does. My life advice to you is: Grow a pair and don’t be a JW apologist.
Neal Krouni read my post again. I get fed up of people running down ones who are still in the org. These ones have not woken up. The reason I do not run them down is because I was one of them. How am I an apologist. You are very angry, and I understand that, but just step back a bit and see how rude you are to people. You have no idea who I am, you no nothing about my time in the org. But you still assume much about me. If you read my post again, I am simply saying, there are good people in the org who need to wake up, but I dont see how a tirade of abuse against them personaly will help.
@ Cedars
I hope your experience with JW.BORG has not robbed you of your sense of humor. After all, laughter IS the best medicine, and a great morale booster! It’s kept me sane for all these years (sort of)! If we lose that, we lose everything. As for being banned, well I’ll take that risk, because that’s how I operate. I have First Amendment Rights too. No one can stop me from laughing. People get paid millions for that kind of “drivel”, and you’re getting it for free. I’ve worked in Show Business, so trust me, this is not amateur stuff. I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to express my opinions, etc on this site, but if you think I NEED to come here, you’re mistaken. Cheers.
Live long and prosper
This isn’t about first amendment rights, which you can use to set up your own website if you wish. This is about my right to keep this website free of your garble and clutter. The fact that I should have to explain that doesn’t speak volumes for your intellectual capacity I’m afraid. Not that I would want to offend a drivel artist of your caliber.
People who need to resort to insults betray their own lack of “intellectual capacity”.
It wasn’t an insult, it was an observation. Are you done? Or do you absolutely refuse to observe the posting guidelines, which are applicable to all – ordinary person and nonsense artiste alike?
“That’s OK, no offense taken. Else, I could take my machete and come over to have a little chat …”
Criticus, will it be you or the machete doing the chatting?
I would like to say in my defence (before you go to the trouble of traveling land and sea to come visit me in Australia) that it was the tight pants I was wearing when I wrote that post that made me misspell your name – it gives me temporary dyslexia!
Neal Krouni,
Sir, I have absolutely no desire to converse with you via email.
I do know something about you. I can read your numerous comments!
I can assure you, sir, that I do indeed walk the walk. I have helped instigate an investigation of the WTBTS by the Charity Commission, and other activism that, I hope, has been of help in freeing people from the cult of the WTBTS.
I am not a wimp, or a female dog.
You have a great deal of justifiable anger over the way you have been treated. I have sympathy for you.
My critiques of your comments have been motivated by my desire to help you hone your point of view. You have been writing comments that appear to contradict themselves.
What a pity it is that you have finally responded with verbal abuse, instead of replying to the points I have raised.
I wish you well, sir, in your journey out of Watchtower. I hope that, in time, your relationship with your still indoctrinated family will improve.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Folks,
I wonder if “JEHOVAH God’s spirit-directed Organisation” will make a statement about this tragic affair?
The WTBTS will throw anyone under the bus if it helps them make another dollar of profit, so if there is one, it will be to distance themselves from this incident.
If I were an investor in the WTBTS, I would be thinking of cutting and running now. The world is being bombarded with negative case after negative case. They are coming so fast that I can’t keep up with them!
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Neal Krouni,
As an example of your contradictory comments:
“Stay off my back, bit*h”
“I’ve had it with wimps like you”
Then we get the pithy reply to Lloyd:
“People who resort to insults betray their own lack of “intellectual capacity””
So, by your own reasoning, by insulting me you have betrayed your own lack of intellectual capacity!!
Do you see what I mean about contradictory comments now?
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Well actually, just because Richard white attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, doesn’t make him be one! There are serious drastic measures and steps to go thru order to actually become a TRUE JEHOVAHS WITNESS! and since that particular man was NOT one, as he was trying to turn his life around but failed, doesn’t say anything realistic about the True Religion of Jehovah God! So with that being said, is another reason why Richard white did NOT KILL NO ONE! As he could have if he wanted to, before he was killed. So instead, he used bug spray, rather than bullets! So now you know the real facts! And if you don’t allow this post to be presented, then I understand your envious hypocrisy! And the truth will always prevail no matter what! Ha, haa, haa…
Honesty,
So you have thrown this unfortunate man under the bus.
You quibble over his status in the congregation, as if that has any bearing on this tragic case. He was cognisant of the theology of your religion, and he was associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses at the very least.
This association, whatever form it took, had no benefit for him, did it?
Your argument that he did not kill anyone is muted by the fact that you have used a double negative. You state that he did kill someone. I would suggest that you read through your comments for spelling and grammar.
I am in no way envious of the WTBTS. Its child protection policies, domestic violence policies, blood policies and shunning policies mark it as a cult. I am not envious of a cult.
I agree that the truth will prevail. The truth about the WTBTS is indeed being revealed. The world is learning just how vile your religion truly is.
I urge you to research the real facts about the WTBTS. There is no excuse for ignorance. All the information you need is freely available.
How revealing your comment is. You have thrown a veteran under the bus, in a feeble attempt to protect the image of your religion.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
@Honesty ! HONESTLY My Dear HONESTY you do need to go to University to improve your Grammar& Vocabulary!! Then once you can read & write properly & do PROPER RESEARCH on the Early History of JW by Reading Studies in the Scriptures & Especially The Finished Mystery written in 1917 when apparently was the Food at the Proper time when JESUS CHOSE the JWs over all other Religions in 1919??? In Your OWN WORDS.., HAA ,HA,HAA!!!!!
The tragedy here is not the end of this mans story. He is no longer suffering from what caused him to act in such a insane way. His suffering is now passed tohis loved ones to suffer.
Now what will the JW elders say? Funeral, no funeral? Gehenna or Paradise? Hey family read your bible more and pray more so you don’t wind up in his situation? Clearly he was hiding secret sin because he had no Holy Spirit? To be sure they will be no source of comfort in this families tragic hour, a time when JWs claim to provide much needed comfort and peace. Even if the JWs choose to use the catch all phrase “only Jehovah knows the heart” it will without a doubt leave unanswered the question where was Holy Spirit? The spirit that according to Gal. 5 produces joy and peace.
This case in no way highlights JWs as evil, rather it clearly shows that like everyone else they are not immune to problems. It underscores in bold that their long held belief that doctrine can heal the wounds of a broken mind is nothing but a terrible lie that ends in human tragedy. Science continues to offer better answers than any doctrine or so called wisdom from ancient times. Science continues to progress as human learning and continuos study leads us to better understanding of the mind and ultimately better solutions.
JW wisd says Phil. 4:6,7 that by means of prayer a person obtains the peace of god that excels all thought and that their minds will be guarded. Translation don’t bother to reason or look for solutions talk to your imaginary friend and it will be all right. So how is that working out watchtower? Bible vs Science. Score another point for science.
I hope the family will find a way to get peace.