I was disfellowshipped a few years ago after a fight with my former father in law(an elder) when he was interfering in my marriage ( now divorced on unscriptural grounds, my former wifes choice and not mine) with my wife.
I do regret the fight with him, i still love my three sons, all JWs and i still love my former wife, ( she may have been disfellowshipped now due to divorcing with no scriptural grounds, i don't know)
What would be needed to be reinstated ? I know attending meetings for 6 months to 2 years is a pre requisite, but what else?
2007-05-09 07:37:22 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My intention is not to get back with former wife as that is long gone and i beleive the reason she has been disfellowshipped is she has been in another relationship.
2007-05-09 08:01:06 · update #1
I have added this after comments making things look like i am in the wrong here:
My former father in law was in my home every day uninvited, playing father ( my job) and usurping my responsibilities at home since his wife had passed away three years previous, i cared for his needs but he was overstepping the mark by being there all the time which got to the point of my kids mistakingly calling me grandad instead of dad!
As for hindering my wifes spirituality, i met her when she was falling away, i brought her back...And i certainely would not and would not consider fornication..
2007-05-09 08:14:00 · update #2
Most Jehovah's Witnesses would be shocked at the very idea of a congregation elder offensively 'interfering in a marriage', but this questioner does not ask about that.
While Jehovah's Witnesses occasionally disfellowship an adherent for physical assault (technically this is usually considered "loose conduct"), Witnesses do not believe the bible to teach that unwarranted divorce is a "serious sin". As the questioner implies, however, a Witness who unrepentantly pursues a romantic relationship while still Scripturally married (to another) may be disfellowshipped.
(Matthew 5:32) I say to you that everyone divorcing his wife [or husband], except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery
While these latter salacious details may interest casual readers, they are of little interest to a judicial committee of Jehovah's Witness elders.
Such a committee really needs two things:
1. A letter from the disfellowshipped person requesting reinstatement
2. Evidence of repentance commensurate with the sin
(Acts 26:20) I went bringing the message that they should repent and turn to God by doing works that befit repentance.
As this questioner suggests, a candidate for reinstatement is almost always expected to regularly attend congregation meetings for some weeks or months. A refusal to take responsibility for one's own actions is likely to delay or prevent reinstatement.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050601/article_01.htm
2007-05-09 18:10:21 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus' parable of the prodigal son is the biblical precedent. The accused may have repented and Jehovah forgiven them. Yet, men cannot read hearts, thus the 3 man tribunal, thus the months or years of shunning. Meeting attendance and time slips have for decades been used to measure spirituality, thus re-instatement is based on meeting attendance and the visible use of highlighters on study material. Groveling helps in certain cases. Murder, incest,rape at least a year or when paroled. Questioning the opinions of the governing body, next to nil.
2016-04-01 04:04:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Attend meetings, and talk to the elders about your wish to be reinstated. What is required is to demonstrate your repentance.
In response to a few of the answers:
Disfellowshipping is a scriptural principal. Bear in mind, the whole story hasn't been displayed here. It couldn't have been a simple fight like:
"You should buy my daughter a nicer car."
"I run my family as I see fit."
"You're outta here, buddy!"
Chances are, the fight was about something serious (i.e. not properly caring for family responsibilities, as caring for your family is a scriptural requirement for husbands).
Lazarus:
For someone calling us "lost", you don't seem to know what you're talking about. First of all, Witnesses don't teach that Jesus has any sin... He was sinless, and he died for our sins. We acknowledge that. We believe in 'hell' (aka hades, sheol) AS it is described in the Bible. Death is talked about in quite clear terms at Ecclesiastes 9:5-10.
2007-05-09 08:04:27 · answer #3 · answered by Andrew G 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
There are no "chances". It is based on your love for Jehovah and how you want to follow his principles.
Divorcing does not result in disfellowshipping.
No, meeting attendance for a period of time is not a pre-requisite, it is an outward way of showing that you want to conform to Jehovah's ways through the congregation. Focus on Jehovah's ways and teachings and the rest will come to you.
2007-05-09 08:16:23 · answer #4 · answered by sklemetti 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
--The proper thing to do is to send a letter to the presider or give it one of the overseers, to request consideration for reinstatement.
--There is no period of time as a probation period unless their was extreme devious action on your part--that would warn of great caution before steps for reinstatement!
--MOST IMPORTANT --make your motivation between you and Jehovah , the elders are just an arrangement!
--
2007-05-09 08:10:49 · answer #5 · answered by THA 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Show up at any hall.
Tell your story to 2 elders.
Follow their suggestions.
2007-05-09 07:40:50 · answer #6 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Brother, what you need is the true Christ. The divine Christ, the one who could die for your sins, and not have his own to die for. JW's are lost, hellbound, which by the way they don't even believe in. Convenient, huh? That settles the problem of their blasphemy, they just vanish without consequence. You are so gonna wish that was true in eternity.
Find the true Jesus in a Baptist or Bible church now, and rescue your kids before you condemn them too. You have a responsibility to teach your kids the truth, not some garbage like JW. You are a Baal worshipper.
2007-05-09 07:44:39 · answer #7 · answered by Lazarus 3 · 1⤊ 9⤋
What kind of religion is so unforgiving that you can become disfellowshipped? I am so glad I am an atheist. May I suggest you take this time and do some independent research and stop being a sheep.
2007-05-09 07:41:27 · answer #8 · answered by DeCaying_Roses 7 · 0⤊ 10⤋
If you want to be reinstated you have to be a good looking female that the men drool over.
You may as well become a Swedenborgian!
2007-05-09 07:45:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 10⤋
What the hell are you talking about?
2007-05-09 07:40:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 8⤋