What is the purpose of excommunication?

Answer 1

The Biblical purpose was to show that a person had sinned and that sin was not accepted. But it always allowed for restoration which was done in love. Notice I said the Biblical purpose, not necessarily the purpose used by some churches.

Answer 2

Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive or suspend membership in a religious community. The word literally means out of communion, or no longer in communion. In some churches, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group. Censures and sanctions sometimes follow excommunication; these include banishment, shunning, and shaming, depending on the group's religion or religious community. This article addresses excommunication and spiritual condemnation often associated with excommunication, but not the religious censures and sanctions that follow excommunication.

:)

Answer 3

In the Original Church founded by the Apostles, the Orthodox Church, excommunication is a form of punishment. It is not kicking someone out of the Church forever. The person is not being allowed to take communion for a period of time, after a time of repentance the person is allowed to commune again. Thus the word ex-COMMUNION. In the Catholic Church or other jurisdictions I'm not sure about, but some use it to protect the rest of the church from unhealthy behavior by asking the offender to not return to church ever again. Some unfortunately do use it as a controlling factor.

Answer 4

Excommunication is a scare tactic. If you do not do or believe what the church wants you to, then you are "out of communion" with the church. This means you can no longer receive sacraments and entitles you to a VERY warm retirement. Since the pope did not hang on a cross and die for my sins, then he does not have a say in my salvation... Instead, I prefer to trust in Jesus and what HE has to say about the subject.

Answer 5

It is a probationary state where in the person who offended God through a grievous sin can repent. It is a necessary step -- one who is excommunicated must humble themselves before the Lord for a lengthy period of time to then be let back in.

The goal after Excommunication is re-baptism you must show God that you are truly penant and then you can return to the fold (congregation)

Answer 6

Excommunication is a censure of the Church for serious sin. While in a state of excommunication , a Catholic cannot recieve the sacraments. While it does NOT damn you to hell, it is not a good thing to be under. In some ways , it is similar to shunnings used by Amish. Simillar in its objective which is to correct the nature of the sinner that they return to good graces of their Church.

Answer 7

Excommunication is when you are totally booted out of the Catholic Church. This is based on some egregious sin committed, and you are unrepentent of ("Forgive me Father, for I have sinned..."). It can be a phenomenally dramatic event, based on your position. I don't think the Catholics are Christians, so I don't give their rituals much nevermind.

Answer 8

Excommunication means the accused is no longer allowed to receive communion or any other sacraments. In Catholic doctrine, this is the same as damning them to hell.

Answer 9

When you join a church you agree to abide by the rules set down by that church. Most people who
are excluded today are because they just stop attending
and how can you be a member if your not there. Most churches will reinstate an exmember if he returns to church
and confesses and rededicates his live.

Answer 10

Catholicism's version of being cast out of heaven. These days people don't care, as there are many religions that will welcome you and guarantee your going to heaven. The Catholic Church tries not to excommunicate any more. They have lost enough followers.