Don't think its a great example of "people wanting to die" as others have said below and gone into detail. I'm choosing to add to the conversation because I think there is a great takeaway from this and that is people value life for different reasons. They can crudely be defined as "simple-minded" or more appropriately "traditional" and represent a very large percent of the population. Those of you who grew up in rural areas like myself are likely very familiar with the archetype described by the OP. I think a great question from this is...

Should we be encouraging people to seek out a life with more questions, more complexity, and more interests. Or should they be left as they are? This is a big political and sociological question. Should those who wish to live a more simple life be allowed to do so, and if so would that interfere with a more erudite population? (I think it may already be doing so). Should our approach be to evangelize, or should it be more of a separation / detente?