Can someone tell me about the Jehova's witness practice of Shunning?

Question

How does this follow the Bible? How about becoming more Christlike (and God like) and having the unconditional love for others... especially those who are going astray. Like the story of the Prodigal Son? Why would Shunning those who do not believe or live by their teachings benefit it's members? Because no one is perfect. Why would family members be told not to talk to or associate with even their own family if they do not believe in the Jehova's witness religion any longer? It seems that following one or two verses in the bible goes against many many more of Christ's teachings. Can someone explain why JW's are told to SHUN even their own family members who refuse to believe in the religion, or marry outside their religion? thanks.

Answer 1

JW's practice disfellowshipping (what some religions call excommunication or shunning)
When a JW commits sin they meet with a "judicial committee" consisting of 3 elders of the congregation.
They talk about it and if the elders consider the member as non-repentant, they will disfellowship that person.
This means that all JW's including family members are DISCOURAGED from talking to, meeting with, eating with or associating with them. At their meetings, they MUST sit in the back and NOT participate or attempt to interact with ANYONE even other disfellowshipped persons.
First let me say that I agree with you on the practice and you'll get TONS of JW's who quote a few verses and then site the Watchtower publications.

I was disfellowshipped in 1996 and am SOOOO glad to be free from that religion.

Notice this from the answer above me:
Contrary to the misinformation of anti-Witnesses, it is quite possible to become inactive in the JW religion without becoming disfellowshipped. As long as one's lifestyle does not bring reproach upon the congregation, and as long as one does not advocate one's disagreements with the religion, the congregation has no interest in "investigating", exposing, and disfellowshipping an inactive former Jehovah's Witness.

Notice how they "frown" upon those who disagree with the religion. If you have questions about practice or principles you can be labeled an apostate.

There are SOO many things about this cult that should be examined and questions, but to questions means you are shunned and many members are fearful of the judicial committee and their possible actions.

Fee free to view some of my old posts and to look at the website for silent lambs for how these judicial committees actually assist predators and child molestors keep their victims scared and quiet.

Notice how the judicial committee actuall JUDGES a person...isn't that God's job? Why do they speak abusively against Catholics for their confessional practices and then insist on their elders playing God-like judges or to encourage other members to "mark" another brother, this is a form of judging and who else but God can judge someone??? NO ONE!

Answer 2

I think Christianity and JW are very far apart in their beliefs. JW seems to be a cult, a very strict cult at that. They are witnessing to try to get you to be apart of it with them. The Jehovah's Witness organization claims to be the only true Christian group in the entire world. It says that all other churches, whether Catholic or Protestant, teach error and that anyone who is not a Jehovah's Witness will be destroyed by God. However, the facts show that this group is a deceptive sect. Here are four reasons why they should be avoided. 1. The Jehovah's Witnesses deny the central teachings of the Bible. The Jehovah's Witness organization denies that Jesus Christ is God. Instead they teach that Jesus Christ is a created angel. 2. The Jehovah's Witnesses Tamper with the Bible. The Jehovah's Witness organization has produced its own bogus version of the Bible. This version is called the New World Translation. 3. The Jehovah's Witnesses Have a History of Failed Prophecies. For example, they predicted that Armageddon and the end of the world would come in 1975. To cover up for this failure, most Jehovah's Witnesses today deny they made this prediction even though it is easily proven from their own literature. 4. The Jehovah's Witness Organization Uses Its Authority Abusively. The Jehovah's Witnesses organization demands that its members obey and accept, unquestioningly, every command and biblical interpretation given by the organization. So as you can see her answers make no sense to you because everything is made up. Well I hope that helped in giving you a better understanding of the silly JW.

Answer 3

Disfellowshipping is a last resort move. When someone violates Bible principles, it is most important they be helped back to correct spiritual health. Brothers and sisters help them to see the Bible's view.

If that does not help, the elders must step in to help. The goal is to aid the person back to Jehovah. It must be pointed out this is not for meaningless problems. It is for serious wrongdoing.

The object is for the person to show ginuine repentence of the serious wrong. Neither Jehovah nor any of JWs want to lose a person because we have love for all those in the faith. At the same time, elders must protect the cleanness of the congregation. 2 Timothy 4: 1,2 gives the directive of reproving and guiding all with long-suffering and the art of teaching. Maybe a public talk before the congregation about the problem without mentioning the person by name will accomplish the job. It might be private or public reproof of the person. Many things can be done. It is only for the unrepentent wrongdoer that disfellowshipping becomes necessary. Even then, that person may attend meetings and may work to regain their standing in the congregation and be reinstated.

Their conduct must not be seen to be tolerated or it might stumble others in their faith. 1 Corinthians chapter 5 gives a proper handling of a problem in the early congregation. It's a short chapter but filled with good points.

Family members would necessarily need to talk with such a person. That is proper but, not about spiritual things. Both the person and the congregation must appreciate the seriousness of the matter.

By the way, just marring outside JWs is not a disfellowshipping offense. If it were, dozens of couples I know would be in trouble, including my own parents almost 70 years ago. When they married, my father was not, but later became, a JW. Often it is just the good conduct of the Witness in the relationship that changes the mind of the other.
As a general rule, to add anoither major point of disagreement in a marriage starting out is a dumb idea as any married person will admit. That is why the Bible advises against it.

Answer 4

Shunning is an ancient practice which is not exclusive to Jehova's or even Christians. If you read My Name is Asher Lev, by Chaim Potek, you see Jews practice it too. And I would think so so Moslems, even people who don't think of their selves as Christians or Believers. What then is the system of cliques or groups in schools and colleges?

JW's are probably told to SHUN those who refuse to believe because they are fearful that the attitudes or ideas of the unbelievers will "infect" those whose faith is not strong enough to resist doubt or examination. Is shunning right? No. Is it done? Yes.

What can we do about it? Your idea of becoming more Christlike or God-like is a good one, and deserves consideration. It also requires courage and trust. Courage to be who you feel you must, and trust in G-d that He will not let you stray.

Answer 5

Historically the practice of shunning or ignoring people who do not go along with the 'faith' is simply a form of punishment that has a strong social pressure aspect to it. In smaller and more closed societies this was very effective since being shunned by the group or family or tribe was very frightening, whereas today its no big deal since you can just go somewhere else. JW's use this tactic along with the doctrine that only the JW's themselves are the true christians, believers or what have you, and the rest of the world is Satan's domain, so that if you are cast out of their fellowship then you are being handed over to Satan - to them this is very frightening. This has the effect of making it very difficult to get out of that religion unless you can see thru their deception that the rest of the world is the domain of Satan, most of them cannot over come that.

Answer 6

Jehovah's Witnesses disfellowship for more than illegal and immoral behavior...they also do for disagreeing with ANYTHING the organization teaches (even if that belief gets corrected later...showing the disagree-er had been right). They disfellowhip for smoking, celebrating holidays, joining the military, saluting the flag, talking to any Witness who has been disfellowshipped or disassociated, going to any other church's worship service, and taking blood transfusions or allowing their child to get one.
Repentance can keep someone from getting disfellowshipped, but part of that is stating that the Witness organization is right and they will follow what it teaches. There can't be any ongoing disagreement...at least openly.
What is really sad is that they allow children as young as ten years old or so to get baptized...a decision that may cost them their families if they change their minds when they grow up.
When a congregation is told that someone is disfellowshipped or has disassociated, they are to treat that person as if they are dead (with the exception of necessary family business, and as little as possible for that.)
It's very sad.

Answer 7

I used to be a JW and it is called "disfellowshipped" not shunned. I was disfellowshipped and to this day I have no contact with the members of the congregation as well as my family. My mom and dad do talk to me some because I have a child and they can contact me because of their grandchild but if they "associate" with me, they can get disfellowshipped too. Their reasoning is back to the "bad association spoils useful habits". They are afraid my bad ways will turn others against the "truth" so they avoid me like the plague. I have always felt this goes against the bible because God is supposed to be all loving and forgiving, maybe He is but JW aren't. They are for the most part holier than thou hypocrites and I can honestly say my life is better since I have nothing to do with that religion.

Answer 8

The term " shunning" is not used.
The correct term is " disfellowshipping" and only occurs after a baptised J.W., male or female, is found to be doing something illegal and/or immoral, is counselled, AND THEN REFUSES TO REPENT from that which they did.
It is not something that is done lightly.
And when that person admits that they have done something wrong, and would like to rejoin the congregation, they are permitted to again attend meetings.
There is a variable time that they attend without being fully involved in the congregations religious activities, but if they show true repentance, they will be readmitted to the congregation.
There are no extreme orders issued where a person is isolated from his/her personal family.
So much misinformation has been circulated on this matter that it is about time it is put straight.

Answer 9

I suspect that cults like JWs who have a precarious hold on Scriptural reality do this to protect themselves from outside influences. It's a fear thing. St Paul does talk about staying away from members of the body who sin regularly, but only in very serious cases and only after "counselling" .(He doesn't use that word) but it's basically what he means. Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Disfellowshiping / Shunning is it unchristian?

Matt 18:15 “Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 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 and as a tax collector.

Jesus taught it. So Christ must not be a christian.

1 Cor 5: 5 YOU hand such a man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, in order that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 11 But now I am writing YOU to 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.

Paul taught it. So Paul must not be a christian.


2 John 9 Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God. He that does remain in this teaching is the one that has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to YOU and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into YOUR homes or say a greeting to him. 11 For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.

John taught it, So John must not be a christian.

NO Contrary to what many think, Disfellowshiping is commanded by Christ, taught by Paul and John.

Remember if we love our family more than God, then we are not worthy of him.

Matt 10: 36 Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. 37 He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and he that has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not accept his torture stake and follow after me is not worthy of me.