Comments on: Explosive JW Suicide at Kingdom Hall

By: VirusHead

VirusHead — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:17:22 +0000

From my own experience, the narratives I’ve read and heard from others, and my tracking of news items regarding JWs, I would have to speculate (if not claim) that the tragedy here is specifically tied – most likely in a cause/effect relation – to his involvement with Jehovah’s Witnesses.

His message was to them. And from the looks of things, it was not received.

By: David Swingle

David Swingle — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:14:42 +0000

This man committed suicide. He did it in a Kingdom Hall. He also, apparently, poured some kind of fuel all over and set the place ablaze.

I think we can reasonably infer that he was sending a message… to whom, we do not know. We do not know the message he might have been conveying. The message was loud even if it was not clear to us. Someone probably knows more about his issues but has not said. The rest of us are left to wonder… and speculate. Nevertheless, his religion was somehow involved and therefore, people are commenting on his religion.

I don’t think that takes away from the tragedy.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:22:45 +0000

Thats sad. Mental illness and suicide is a huge epidemic lately. As always it’s the Jehovah’s Witness part that gets the rumour mill going. I know of 2 or 3 Jehovahs Witnesses that have commited suicide due to Manic Depression. In one case I think it was medication that caused the problem.
I know of probably 6 non Jehovah’s Witnesses that have killed themselves. I know more JW’s then non JW’s. Obviously you can’t judge them based on something like this. I also live in a city thats known for mental illness and depression. Suicide gets swept under the rug here but lately the truth has been coming out in the news.

By: traci

traci — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:10:24 +0000

How weird is it that this news blurb triggered some fairly intense stuff for me?

Suicide (no matter what religion you practice) is a long term solution to a short term issue and those left behind are the ones who suffer. I feel for this “brother’s” family just as I would for any family left behind when a loved one takes his/her life. It is heartbreaking.

tracis last blog post..what would you say…

By: VirusHead

VirusHead — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:06:07 +0000

Actually, it seems to be news in the local paper and to people who follow JWs in the news. I think if a Catholic shot himself in the head and created an explosion in a church, the religion might be mentioned there too…

http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/727229.html

“Authorities said Ralph E. Phillips, 53, of Buckner died of what they believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials have concluded that accelerant had been poured throughout the hall and then ignited.”

From local sources: “He was still an activ serving elder and given a public talk within the last 6 months.”

“He took his own life with the aim of taking out the Kingdom Hall.”

“8 main trusses were taken out or heavily damaged and the wall was structural. The trusses have been replaced. The accelerant etc shows the brother meant to commit suicide and take the hall with him or at least do as much damage as possible. This was a deliberate calculated act designed to inflict as much damage as possible.”

There are some speculations that he had emotional problems lately, but no-one seems to know what drove him to suicide or to wanting to destroy or damage the Kingdom Hall at the same time.

There is some question about whether the dedication of the repaired building will precede his memorial…

By: Nunya Business

Nunya Business — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:37:01 +0000

It was not confirmed that the bomber was a dedicated baptised JW.
Just because one person has mental problem , dont’ cut and slash a whole organization.
Babtist commits crime,,,,,, so what.
Catholic commits crime,,, so what.
JW commits crime,,,,,,FRONT PAGE NEWS!
Ever wounder why that is?
Ever wonder what motivates the hatred?

By: Sam Victor

Sam Victor — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:01:09 +0000

They have realeased his name, last namd Phillips.