Why do Jehovah's Witnesses practice shunning?

Question

What does everyone think about shunning or ex-communication in general? I know the JW's shunn former members and there are plenty of other religions that do too. Is the practice out of line with our modern world! Is it going too far to never talk to a family member or friends again because of an apparent sin or difference in beliefs?

Answer 1

They shun because they're told to shun anyone who doesn't believe as they're taught. You don't necessarily even have to commit any type of wrongdoing to be shunned. You can live a good life, raise a beautiful family, take care of your own financially, love your neighbor, not be an alcoholic, not be a racist, not do drugs.. the only thing you have to do is not agree with what you've been taught! The bad thing about this shunning is, families are destroyed through it. Children whose parents turn their back on them, not wanting anything to do with their grandchildren all because of difference in belief. This is a religion that advocates the breakup of families. Why would the bible say god hates divorce (divorce equalling the breakup of a family?) if in the same breath, God desires the destruction of families through shunning?

The JW organization's brainwashing of people is so complete, I really can't blame the individuals involved in it. They're just following what they've been taught, and they've been taught to mindlessly follow what's printed in those magazines and taught ad nauseum 3 x a week in their church.

Answer 2

Why lie about it? Good question and the simple answer is theocratic warfare or spiritual warfare. What is that, we could go through their definition of this but it really wouldn't answer your question. Remember, the Watchtower is a business that make money, lot's of money. Bad press or bad public relations means less customers, members, less money. If they disfellowship a bad person, say some one that murders or a child molester ( that maybe a bad choice here "child molester") but that, in the public eye, would be OK and acceptable. No harm no foul, right? But if you disfellowship someone for say "celebrating a birthday" or something simple as disagreeing with them on doctrine, then that looks bad and revenues go down, bad for business, less members who are the backbone of their money collection process. So in this process they shun those who are disfellowshipped. This is really a bad part of the disfellowshipping process, that break up families and friendships. Those who are not a Jehovah's Witnesses really look down upon this type of process as unholy, not of God, unscriptual and so forth. Now they will say that they do not do this in one sentence but in another they tell you of scripture that tells them to stay away from, avoid the unrepentant sinner. First they say they don't but then tell you why they do! Interestingly enough the mere thought of this kind of stuff is going to cost them, hurt their bottom line, so they will lie and it's Ok to lie to those whom do not deserve the truth (theocratic warfare).

Answer 3

The Bible counsel is as sound for us now as it was when it was written.

Expulsion is based on the principles found in the Scriptures. The congregation must remain clean and maintain God's favor in order to be used by him and to represent him. Otherwise, God would expel or cut off the entire congregation. (Re 2:5; 1Co 5:5, 6.)

For Scriptural examples, the apostle Paul, with the authority vested in him, ordered the expulsion of an incestuous fornicator who had taken his father's wife. (1 Cor. 5:5, 11, 13) He also exercised disfellowshipping authority against Hymenaeus and Alexander. (1Tim. 1:19, 20)

The following scriptures outline some of the offenses that could merit disfellowshipping from the Christian congregation: 1Cor. 5:9-13; 6:9,10; Tit. 3:10,11; Rev. 21:8

This action is not one to be taken lightly since in the instance of someone who may promote a sect is warned a first and a second time before such disfellowshipping action is taken against him. Also, according to Scripture, two or three witnesses must establish evidence against the accused one. (1 Tim. 5:19)

The Christian congregation is ADMONISHED BY SCRIPTURE to stop socializing with those who are disorderly and not walking correctly but who are not deemed deserving of complete expulsion. Paul wrote: "Stop associating with him, that he may be ashamed. And yet do not be considering him an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother. "-2Th. 3:6, 11, 13-15).

Peter also wrote: "Quit mixing in company with" such a one; and the apostle John wrote: "Never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him."(1 Co 5:11; 2 John 9,10.)

AS FOR RELATIVES:

The Watchtower of April 15, 1991, in the footnote on page 22, states: "If in a Christian's household there is a disfellowshipped relative, that one would still be part of the normal, day-to-day household dealings and activities." Thus, IT WOULD BE LEFT UP TO THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY TO DECIDE ON THE EXTENT to which the disfellowshipped family member would be included when eating or engaging in other household activities. And yet, they would not want to give brothers with whom they associate the impression that everything is the same as it was before the disfellowshipping occurred."-Our Kingdom Ministry, 8/02, pp.6 Heading: "Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped."

Answer 4

In keeping with the counsel found at 1st Corinthians 5:9-13
"9 In my letter I wrote YOU to quit mixing in company with fornicators, 10 not [meaning] entirely with the fornicators of this world or the greedy persons and extortioners or idolaters. Otherwise, YOU would actually have to get out of the world. 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. 12 For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do YOU not judge those inside, 13 while God judges those outside? “Remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves."

No I don't think it's out of date.

Answer 5

I will also ask a question, and if you tell me, then I will tell you: the practice of removing the wicked from among Christians and not greeting them in obedience to the commands found at 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 and 2 John 9, 10 - is this command from man or from God?

If the command is from man, then so are all the other comands we find in the Bible, which means we can ignore those too, yes?

If the command is from God, then by what authority do we question it?

Hannah J Paul

Answer 6

I am in the same boat right now. I was never disfellowshiped (i think anyway i was never disfellowshiped) but if it was not for my kids,my super duper witness parents would not be talking to me. Funny how a religious organization (read cult) that says it practices love and compassion would destroy families and friendship. Man could I tell you some stories about how that cult treats its members that leave. ( I was a ministerial servant,a pioneer*read super door 2 door fanatic*,and I also served on some committees ) So I have insight on the inner workings and yes I know what I am talking about. The shunning that goes on is like a self healing wall essentially. When a member wises up and gets out of the cult, the others are required to shun them for fear of learning something they do not want to know. They block out the outside world and shun the ones that leave so they can keep the others in the darkness. Now I am sure that the other Witlesses on this board will now try to make me look like I am crazy, they will try to dispute these facts and they will come up with the same lame a*s excuses and pre programed responses to try and dis credit me.

Answer 7

Some Jehovah's Witnesses become inactive because they feel unable to continue preaching or certain other Christian obligations for a few months or even years. These are not counted in any JW statistics, but they are considered "brothers" and "sisters" by active Witnesses. Their standing is entirely different from those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated.


Jehovah's Witnesses practice the Scriptural practice of disfellowshipping for unrepentance of such serious sins 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.

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.

For those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated, a primary goal is to shock the person into recognizing the serious of their wrong so that they rejoin the congregation in pure worship. Since the primary bonds that are broken involve friendship and spiritual fellowship, it is well understood that family bonds remain intact. Parents, siblings, and grown children of disfellowshipped and disassociated ones sometimes choose to limit what they may feel is discouraging or "bad association" but that is a personal decision and is not required by their religion.

Former Witnesses who are disfellowshipped or disassociated are typically 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

Becoming baptized as a Jehovah's Witnesses is not a trivial step. At a minimum, a student must demonstrate months of regular meeting attendance and public ministry, then must himself express the desire to be baptized. The candidate then spends hours answering hundreds of bible questions wherein he expresses both a clear understanding and personal conviction regarding Jehovah's Witness teachings in at least three separate interviews with three different elders. The candidate must vocally agree to be baptized in front of hundreds or thousands of eyewitnesses, and must be publicly immersed in water. This is not a momentary emotional decision by an unreasoning child. Dedication as a Witness required hard work and determination at the time.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm

Answer 8

When you were a kid were you ever sent to your room or something similar when you did something wrong? Were you allowed to come out when you were ready to behave? It's the same thing. JW's disfellowship those who have decided to practise something that goes against what teh Bible says. That doesn't mean they are now hated by their former brothers and sisters. It also doesn't mean that they are kicked out forever. They can rejoin the congregation when ever they decide to start practising Bible principles again.

Answer 9

If you see your children playing with kids that have bad habits , do you let them have a close relationship? ,

or if you see you girlfriend or wife having friend or doubtly reputation do you allowed her to go wherever she wants?,

in every place there are rules our are in the bible if you don´t want to follow the rule you must go, simple an suffer the consequences of your behaviour.

Lysdexic Princess: I ask you something about Jesus goverment and you don´t want to answer; why?

Answer 10

It is not fear or control based... sorry.

It is just the parties involved admitting that their differences, like oil and water, do not mix. Usually it is from a fellowship standpoint. The extreme is to use it as coercion and guilt, which is just plain wrong! There should always be hope and love between those involved, despite their differences.