Why do Jehovah's Witnesses not speak to former members including their close family members?

Answer 1

Because the bible says not to have anything todo with those people who leave. That's their excuse anyway. Just seems to me it's another tactic for controlling others. Rather sad too... people claiming to be mature adults falling for crap like that.

Answer 2

One clarification so that my answer will be more easily understood. The true church of God is comprised up of all true born again "regenerated" believers in Christ from many denominations. The bible in one verse after the other insinuates that Jesus is one member of the Godhead, the Father and the Holy Spirit being the other two. In Phillippians it says that Jesus temporarily took a lower position by coming down to earth for a time being in order to be the sacrifice for man's sins but now has been restored to his previous Godhead position. Now that said, Jehovah Witnesses, and I have had a lot of experience with them, only believe that Jesus is a "creation" of God and that he has no divinity. They are, sorry to say, a cult. As I told them, they are so close but no cigar. He who does not have the Son, does not have the Father either. They do not have the Son but only regard Jesus highly. So do the Muslims, Mormans, etc. Being a cult, they are not Christians, only deal with the others as needed in order to evangelize but try to truly befriend them on any other level and they will not associate with you once they realize you can not be converted. I feel sorry for JW's as they are a works oriented people (the bible says that salvation is by faith, not by works, though works are a sign of your conversion - not a requisite for conversion). They also will not celebrate birthdays, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas, Easter, and several other days. I could go on and on but to answer your question, once a family member leaves the JW, they are considered the enemy and not considered candidates for the new earth where the bulk of JW's go. Newly joined JW's will never get to heaven and do not get what we call salvation, they only get to live eternally on the new earth - heaven is only for the special 144,000 which I think are already in. Hope this didn't confuse anyone but it is a sensitive subject as when my sister-in-law became one, her three small children were not allowed to join in any family functions. Thank the Lord, she is not out of it which is rare and the kids are back with us - PTL!

Answer 3

as was stated there is a command to not 'fellowship' with those who are 'former members'. This primarily means to not speak of spiritual matters with that person. Naturally, you may have a job where you talk with a former member--but about work. Or your family member may be a former congregation member. You certainly are allowed to speak about family matters. The admonition is to avoid too much unnecessary contact., It is a warning to keep oneself out of danger of adopting similar attitudes and thoughts about spiritual matters. If the former member shows signs or expresses a desire to come back to the congregation, the 'shepherds of the flock' should be notified so they can use their teaching skills to help that person get their life back in order.

Answer 4

Surely you don't mean in just a ho-hum way.
You might be referring to what some religions call 'shunning'.
That's when a member actively opposes.
They give the following for their 'shunning':
1 Corinthians 5:11
2 John verse 10
2 Thessalonians 3:6
Titus 3:10 shows the practice is not taken lightly, or quickly.
You gotta work at being thrown out.
However, family bonds apparently aren't greater than bible command.

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses actually work very hard to encourage and upbuild any of their number who have fallen inactive due to discouragement or difficulty. If anything, Jehovah's Witnesses seek out this type of "former member"!

However, former Jehovah's Witnesses who have separated themselves from their brothers by resigning, by their actions, or by unrepentance of sin have put themselves outside the congregation. These "disassociated" or "disfellowshipped" ones are treated in accord with the Scriptural pattern explained in these Scriptures:

(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. ...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

(Titus 3:10) As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition

(Romans 16:17) Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.

(2 Thessalonians 3:6) Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us.

(2 Thessalonians 3:14) But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed.

(2 John 10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.

(Matthew 18:17) If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations

As these Scriptures indicate, disfellowshipping follows only unrepentant SERIOUS sin such as fornication, drug abuse, stealing, and apostasy. Baptized Witnesses who join the military or publicly engage in worship with another religion are considered to have disassociated themselves from Jehovah's Witnesses.

Since the primary bonds that are broken involve friendship and spiritual fellowship, Witnesses recognize that family bonds remain intact. While family members of a disfellowshpped one do have greater prerogative to determine their personal level of interaction with their unrepentant family member, a Jehovah's Witness may personally may choose to limit what he may feel is discouraging or "bad association" with the unrepentant former Witness.

Learn more:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1988/4/15/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1997/1/1/article_01.htm

Answer 6

I worked with a guy that was a Jehovah's Witness. He did speak to all of his family...but when it came time for them to have his wedding, his family could not come because they were not worthy enough to go.

Answer 7

Who told you that! My moms sister and her family switched many years ago to Jehovah's Witnesses and they keep in close contact with the whole family.

Answer 8

Well, we tend not to speak to Dis-Fellowshipped people in the congregations because they have been dis-fellowshipped and that means that they have done something so we have to because they are bad assciations until they are fellowshiped again. We aren't trying to be cruel and heartless people when this happens but we have to stay away from them until they are fellowshipped again.