Une réponse de la rubrique Questions des lecteurs du 15 avril 1975 déclarait que consulter un psychiatre 'is a matter for personal decision', mais demandait, à propos des croyances des psychiatres : 'Would you want to mold your life according to the thinking of men who view matters in this manner?', conseillait que 'if a Witness does consult such he should carefully scrutinize any treatment recommended', et orientait les lecteurs éprouvant des 'feelings of hostility or despondency' vers les anciens de la congrégation, en application de Jacques 5:13-16.

Claim ID claim-attitudes-psychiatry-1975-personal-decisionConcerns 15 avril 1975Déclaration explicite

Déclaration explicite · 15 avril 1975 Vérifié

Une réponse de la rubrique Questions des lecteurs du 15 avril 1975 déclarait que consulter un psychiatre 'is a matter for personal decision', mais demandait, à propos des croyances des psychiatres : 'Would you want to mold your life according to the thinking of men who view matters in this manner?', conseillait que 'if a Witness does consult such he should carefully scrutinize any treatment recommended', et orientait les lecteurs éprouvant des 'feelings of hostility or despondency' vers les anciens de la congrégation, en application de Jacques 5:13-16. Source: The Watchtower, 15 avril 1975

Position de l’organisation ou explication ultérieure : La même réponse précisait que les Témoins de Jéhovah 'do not categorically rule out the possibility of treatment by doctors specializing in emotional or mental problems' et que 'the final decision is his own'.

Afficher les preuves (1 source)

Publication primaire des Témoins de Jéhovah Vérifié

The Watchtower, “Questions From Readers”

15 avril 1975 · pp.255-256 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

“Whether a Christian will consult a psychiatrist, or any other doctor, is a matter for personal decision. ... So, while Jehovah's witnesses do not categorically rule out the possibility of treatment by doctors specializing in emotional or mental problems, if a Witness does consult such he should carefully scrutinize any treatment recommended.”

A ruling answering the question 'Do Jehovah's witnesses feel that it is proper to consult a psychiatrist?' It notes that many analysts are atheists or agnostics, cites a study in which over half agreed with Freud that belief in God was 'infantile', and asks: 'Would you want to mold your life according to the thinking of men who view matters in this manner?' It directs readers with 'feelings of hostility or despondency' to the congregation elders under James 5:13-16, and suggests that uncertainty about a therapy 'may' be discussed with elders, 'although the final decision is his own'.

Source officielle (s’ouvre dans un nouvel onglet)

Note de provenance et de vérification

Note sur la fiabilité. Full item read on the Watchtower Online Library on 19 September 2026; the page markers in the page's own HTML place it on pages 255-256. The ellipsis marks an omission of about 700 words between the opening sentence and the closing summary.

Notes. A Questions From Readers item rather than a feature article. It does not forbid psychiatric care.

Date de consultation. 19 septembre 2026 · Identifiant de la source. src-hlth-w-1975-0415-qfr-psychiatrist

Page de l’affirmation Corriger ou mettre à jour

A direct link to this claim is https://jwtruth.org/fr/evidence/claim-attitudes-psychiatry-1975-personal-decision/. Every source above opens the original document or the best available copy. If you believe the wording, date or context is wrong, report an error.

L’affirmation et ses preuves

The Watchtower, “Questions From Readers”