Freed Christian Aid Workers - Stockholm syndrome, anyone?

Fox News

[jeffo]

I hadn't seen a discussion on this, but after seeing part of the press conference from 2 of the rescued aid workers I thought that especially the one who did most of the talking was showing marked signs of Stockholm Syndrome. This is a condition in which people who are held captive become sympathetic - sometimes shockingly so - with their captives. (See the original Die Hard movie for a rather funny take on this, misnamed "Helsinki Syndrome" there).

I thought it interesting that she went out of her way to say how well they had been treated... but later admitted hearing those same captors torturing other Afghan prisoners.

This is nothing against these girls, I thank God for them and that they were rescued safe... but I think possibly some more time should have been given before they were exposed to the press. I don't think this is the right time for someone like that to be saying how great a bunch of guys those Taliban are.

These girls are going to need a lot of counseling before going back into the field and I hope they get it. I just wondered if anyone else noticed what I did.

[goodnesswins]

I also noticed that the other gal, the one who did the least amount of talking, Dana, I think, kept "rocking" side to side and I thought that might have something to do with their captivity. Or maybe just a nervous action....

[gitmogrunt]

BUMP

I definitely noticed it.

To listen to Dayna, talking as if it was all way too kool, is nauseatting.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

A coworker who saw them on the toob thought it was odd that they thanked everyone but the soldiers who rescued them. I can't attest to who they did actually thank.

[roylene]

The young women did not say it was easy but that they were treated reasonable well. Could it not be that the Taliban was afraid to treat them badly? Give them credit for their faith was strong, and alive - maybe God in His mercy allowed them to be free of ill health and pain.

[zevonfan]

These girls are going to need a lot of counseling before going back into the field

I am guessing they were damaged goods prior to leaving for their mission. They have that Moonie/cult goofy smile affect. Did anyone notice if these gals were wearing black Nikes?

[John Farson]

They have that Moonie/cult goofy smile affect.

'zackly. It kept reminding me of the Manson women.

[jeffo]

Now now, they are just starry eyed Christian missionary girls. Nothing wrong with that. I should know, I married one :-)

[GretchenEE]

Before this discussion gets too far down the road, let me reply as someone who believes in Jesus and been through extraordinarily trying circumstances. These girls have an understanding of what God was doing in and through their lives that is not born of this world. They know what Jesus meant when He said, "Let not your heart be troubled; neither let it be afraid. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (Praise His name!)

They may sound like ridiculous Pollyanna types to anyone who does not know what it is like to go through the hard times they've gone through and had the strength of Jesus Christ rise up within them to make their way bearable, even make them cheerful. Yes, Heather said she knew terror. But when they say they were treated well and that one of the guards said he loved them like a sister, I can absolutely guarantee that it was because God heard the prayers of the untold thousands of Christians who were praying for them to be protected and have favor with their captors.

It's a different way of life, living like Paul and Silas did in Biblical times, when they'd been beaten for sharing their faith and thrown into stocks in prison, and yet were found singing songs of praise to God at midnight, when God sent an earthquake that caused all the chains to break. It's not something that is going to be understandable to anyone who approaches it only with logic, because logic and faith go together in God's economy.

These girls are not crazed or experiencing the Stockholm syndrome. They were giving God credit for protecting them and favoring them in their captors' eyes. Yes, they will need time to recover and some very good counseling. And to the poster who mentioned they thanked everyone but the men who rescued them, I wanted to add that I heard Heather say how glad they were to see the person who came in and said, "You are free!" There will be no lack of gratitude to their rescuers. Maybe they didn't go over the right checklist of how to extend thanks in the proper order, but their circumstances give me reason not to think twice of it.

[Peach]

Actually the young women said they were impressed with how well the rescue mission by the US was run and that Hollywood could not have done it better. They didn't seem loopy to me at all, although if they were acting loopy after such an experience, it would not be unusual.

[ffrancone]

I thought they were enormously composed and joyful to have survived. I was proud of them!

[lavaroise]

I can't say what I would personaly do in this instance, but people are much too often centered on hopes to go to heaven rather than hopes to bravely struggle for the sake of emancipation. Welfare wish attitude will get people into those conditions. We have the same happening in the US of A when people on government welfare get mistreated by the system but end up supporting it anyhow. The Taliban in this instance were the appreciated welfare providers.

[TheDon]

I agree with your interpretation. They were remarkably composed for just having been freed from a situation where they recognized, and accepted the fact, that they might have died. I was very impressed with them. They make outstanding spokesman for the poor Afghan people, and are a credit to their faith in Christ. A faith which teaches forgiveness, even for those who despitefully use you.

[TheDon]

Well said.

[Peach]

I agree with you - they were joyful, composed and happy to be alive. They were brave to go and brave to endure what they must have endured since they were made prisoners of the Taliban. I am proud they were doing something they felt was important, rather than sitting around whining about the state of the world.

[COBOL2Java]

Here here! Thanks for echoing my thoughts so eloquently.

[jeffo]

If you read my original comment I did not accuse them of acting "loopy" or crazy in any manner. I was merely expressing my concern for them that they had been rushed into this press conference while still dealing with the emotional toll of their captivity. I am a believer and I do not doubt for a second that God helped these girls get through their experience. But for some reason they chose to speak better of their captors than their rescuers, which is not right.

[GretchenEE]

This from here: Freed Aid Workers Saved by Their Faith

Mercer fought back tears praising those involved in their release, including President Bush, whom she described as a man of God.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Well, if their rescuers were Special Forces, and they're anything like the guys I've worked with, then they don't want to be talked about. It's real possible that the young women were told not to talk about the SF guys that picked them up.

[mombonn]

I saw the entire press conference, and could not disagree with you more. They were understandably nervous at being before all those cameras.

Their emotions changed as they answered questions, and it was apparent that there were things that they did not want to talk about.

While I was surprised to hear how well they were treated by the taliban, I also know that a LOT of us were praying that the captives would have a positive impact on their captors. It sounded to me like just that very thing happened.

I was especially interested in Dayna - she said less, but nodded in quiet agreement with with Heather. I thought they were quite composed, and the joy of the Lord shone through them.