To Jehovah’s Witnesses:?

Question

I would like to know something about your beliefs.

I met a woman recently in my apartment complex. She has a small dog who is fascinated by my cats. She would stop and look at my cats every time she took him for a walk. Panda (the dog) would get so excited. I introduced myself one day when she went by. She invited me to come down and visit her at her apartment anytime. I went down to her apartment last week for a visit. It was at this time that I discovered that she is a former Jehovah’s witness. She told me that she was kicked out of the Kingdom hall because of a sin that she committed. She is now trying to return. Because she is trying to return, she told me that we could not be friends. She said that she cannot have any friends who are not witnesses, or she will not be able to return.

My questions are this:

If someone sins, are they really removed from the Kingdom hall? Are they not given a chance to be forgiven?

Are you not able to have friends outside of your religion?


I am asking only to understand the differences between your beliefs and mine. I am a Christian. If someone in my church sins, they are forgiven if they repent. If that sin is a compromising sin such as adultery, then they are asked to step down from any position that they may hold in the church. (I.e. teacher, deacon, elder, etc.) Unless someone is a danger to others, they are not asked to leave the church. Even then, they are told if they get help, they may come back. Also, we are allowed to have friends of ANY belief. Even if they do not believe in God. We do not have to overlook or agree with their beliefs, but that does not mean that we cannot associate with them. We might show them the way, as they are the lost lambs.

In any case, it bothered me that this happened. It all seemed odd to me because of the way I have been taught. If any of the Jehovah’s witness can help me to understand I would be grateful.

Thanks to everyone who responded, but some people did make mistakes.
First, she isn’t my friend. We have only just met, & spoken three times. I’d thought we were going to start a friendship, but stopped that.
Second, Jesus didn’t only associate with his followers. That was not his purpose. He associated with people who no one wanted to be with like tax collectors, shepherds, prostitutes, lepers, etc. If he only stayed with his followers, then he would not have created more. He was here to show that He was the way, the truth, & the light.
J W are a members of a group that witness by distributing literature & by personal evangelism to beliefs in the theocratic rule of God, the sinfulness of organized religions & governments, & an imminent millennium. They aren’t Christians. Christians follow the teachings of Christ, which J W doesn’t follow. They don’t believe in the Trinity or the resurrection; only two of his teachings.
J W isn’t a satanic cult. They are by definition a cult though

Answer 1

If they sin, they're pretty much expelled socially for a period of time until it's decided they've done enough to appear repentent. During this outcast time, they'll have limited contact with the only people they've come to know, because they've been slowly and methodically cut off from everyone outside the religion. They'll be able to go to church (they call church "meetings") but nobody will acknowledge their presence with a smile or a hello because they're "marked." Oh yeah, someone told me in one of my posts I'm marked.. hmm... anyway, I digress. With no one -in- the religion who will be kind to them, it makes perfect sense your neighbor is severely lonely for human contact and kindness and reached out to you. Bless you for your kindness to a hurting soul.

I remember when I was a teenaged JW a young woman became pregnant.. she was so sweet and so pregnant and so unmarried. Nobody in the church was to talk to her because she was "disfellowshipped".. so during church I went to the bathroom and there she was.. a couple of other people were there, too.. she smiled at me and I smiled at her in return and said hello.. asked her how she was feeling. She beamed to be acknowledged (poor thing.. I cringe telling this). Anyway, NEXT WEEK the preacher/Elder gave admonition from the podium saying we're not to even speak to those who are disfellowshipped, even if they're in church.. of course someone ratted us out in the bathroom. Wow, I haven't thought of that in a very, very long time... wonder how that girl is doing these days?

And this cutting off from outside the religion extends to friendships, as well. In order to be a good JW, you shouldn't become -too- close to anyone who is not a JW. They're considered "worldly" acquaintances and their company is looked upon with suspicion.

Frankly, I'm surprised by the JWs on here who profess to have "worldly friends." That was very much frowned upon during my time in... it was a means to make yourself look scripturally (spiritually) weak.. I guess the lovers of Jehovah who have worldly friends are spiritually weak?

I'm sure this all sounds so bizarre to the outside reader.. there's no sane way to describe the madness. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Yes, one can be forgiven for a sin and not be disfellowshipped, but that is up to the elders who "judge" the case.

Even if one is sorry for their sin, apologizes and tries not to repeat it (such as smoking or fornication, as an example), they could still be disfellowshipped if they have a relapse, because then the elders would judge them to not be truly repentant. I've known people to be disfellowshipped even after they stopped sinning - depending on the judgment of the elders who are involved in the case.

Any non-Witness person is viewed as "bad association" and a danger to the spiritual health of a Witness, so in order to please the elders, your friend is abiding by the 'rules' for now. Once she is reinstated, she may not be as strict about her association with you, but you would still be regarded by the congregation as bad association, unless you want to study and become a Jehovah's Witness, in which case you will be welcomed with open arms.

Answer 3

Jehovah is the name of God found in the Bible almost 7,000 times. That name may still be found in Psalms 83:18 in most Bible translations Jehovah's Witnesses dedicate our lives to learning John 17:3 and living by Bible principles and standards. We pray to do our best to follow the example given by Jesus Christ. 1Peter 2:21

Answer 4

The answer is No.

People are not removed if they sin. Everyone has a right to show that they have erred. We are born in sin after all.

It is when the person at that time does not repent or they are a danger to individuals they are then removed from the congregation.

Answer 5

It would seem that perhaps the neighbor of this questioner discerned in the questioner some quality or habit which she felt to be a particular obstacle to her reinstatement into the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Perhaps the neighbor struggles with smoking and the questioner smelled of cigarettes, for example.

Otherwise, true Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) simply avoid bad association. Many Witnesses are quite sociable with wholesome, non-Witness neighbors, coworkers, and friends.

Regarding the matter of the neighbor's expulsion from the congregation, it is true that 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.co.uk/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/19970101/article_01.htm

Answer 6

Hi, I think maybe there was a miscommunication. Firstly Kingdom Halls are open to ALL, excluding cases of, example, someone wanting to shoot someone else, etc.

It is true that if someone decides to stop living according to the Bible after having dedicated their lives to God, that this person might be disfellowshipped, which is essentially a time out, the person of course is still welcome at the meetings, but is not associated with, as a double protection. It gives the person time to think things through and decide on their own what they want to do, and also helps keep the congregation clean, example, when my nephew is being especially naughty, he at times needs time out. This is so he can think about what has happened, how he wants to proceede, etc. Also it keeps things clean:D

As for her comment on friends, while we strive to maintain close relations especially with those who have similar bible principles, there certainly is nothing precluding friendships with non Witnesses.

Answer 7

Your neighbor may have been disfellowshipped from the congregation. This is done when one commits serious sins and is unrepentant. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 directs that such ones be removed from the congregation. Every effort is made to reconcile such a one to a healthy spiritual state before this action is taken. If such efforts fail, or the sin is one that brings great reproach(2 Peter 2:2), the person is THEN disfellowshiped. Loyal Christians then avoid association with such ones unless they happen to be members of ones household. If the disfellowshipped one comes to his or her senses and repents, he can then be reinstated into the congregation. The person must produce works that befit repentance (Acts 26:20) This would include regular attendance at Christian meetings if one is able to do so.
I don't know your neighbor but I am very proud of her for putting forth the effort necessary to return to Jehovah.
Evidently she recognizes that persons who do not believe as she does will not understand her position and may very well make her return more difficult. She may have received counsel to that effect. In any case she will soon experience the truthfulness of Psalm 30:5 - "being under (Jehovah's) anger is for a moment, Being under his goodwill is for a lifetime."

Answer 8

Well i think she's just being very maybe overly careful so she will get reinstated. But to answer your questions

1. If they do a horrible sin...they could be. But these include immorality,adultery,drunkardness (repeatedly, gluttony, murder, ect. But similarly only if that person isn't repentant and doesn't want to stop committing the sin and unaccepts help and direction is when he/she is no longer to be talked to or talk to anyone in the congregation or they can no longer preach from door to door (for they are no longer a good example to anyone because they directly disobeyed and denied to repent), but that person can continue showing up to the kingdom hall and show they will strive to become an associate among others again by proving they really want to be there for God (Jehovah) and doesn't show up just to be around others.

2.As said before they are given a chance. There actually given a couple options to be forgiven. Please keep in mind no one is out to stop anyone from being a Jehovah's witnesses. Elders actually do what they can to keep them there, but they go to prayer and discuss among eachother along with the person and come up with a conclusion, a reasonable one too.


3.We are able to have friends outside our religion but not those that are super close due to they fact its advised to be around those encouraging with the same beliefs so there is no jealousy or compromising of faith to be taken. This is even recommended in the Bible to not become unevenly yoked or be in bad association (that scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:33 also proves to be why ppl are dis fellowshipped on the right grounds of course)...

I want you to know we are Christians too, we follow Christ, we follow the Bible in ever aspect we can and more so. We are called Jehovah's Witnesses due to they Scripture in Isaiah we God said "you are my witnesses". Plus we want to sanctify God's name. But anyway, hope you dont get the wrong impression, i'm glad you looked into it and asked:)

Answer 9

If someone sins, are they really removed from the Kingdom hall?

No, the individual that was a former Jehovah's Witness is still freely able to attend the meetings and come as she/he wants and visit the Kingdom Hall but he/she is shunned from having associations with Jehovah's Witnesses

Are they not given a chance to be forgiven?

Yes, they are given a chance to be forgiven, the only reason why they are expelled from the congregation is because the individual is not truly repentent at the time and in order to keep the congregation clean the individual is told that she/he is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses until they feel that they are truly repentent...And it does not stop there the elders do give the individual scriptural counsel that can help them be repentent and thus be one of Jehovah's Witnesses again..

People only get expelled for doing serious sins that God condems that's all...and the person has to be truly repentent because the elders don't want to expell the individual and they will try to help but if the person shows that he/she is not willing to change at the moment, I mean what else are they able to do....

Are you not able to have friends outside of your religion?

Well this is a good question to ask...first I will say that there are good people out there in the world that are not Jehovah's Witnesses but here is the reason

In the scriptures it says that we are to be careful of our association whether they be a Witness or a non-Witness...

So with that said those who do not share our faith, even though they are "good" people....non-witness people don't share our views making it hard for us to have a meaningful friendship with non-witness...

For example a non-witness may believe that you can do anything you want as long as you don't murder and steal and rape then to a non-witness you are good to go...but the Bible has a different answer...

We as worshipers of the most high cannot simply live a life without limits because God is a holy God and as a Holy God he has standards.....

With that said we associate mainly with those who share our faith but that does not mean that we ignore and don't talk to people that are non-witnesses, we do, I mean we work, go to school, with people that are non-witnesses and so really when it comes down to it, we are only warned on being careful of who are our friends whether they be Witness or non-Witnesses...And if one of us have a friend that is a non-Witness then the question that is usually asked, Despite the person may seem to be a 'good' person, Does he/she share our views on morality, cleaness, God, life, drugs, alcohol, marriage,etc.?

I know I said a lot but if you want scriptural references I don't mind giving them to you....I'm just in a hurry to write this that's all

Answer 10

The scriptural reasoning is from 1 Cor. 5: 9-13 "In my letter I wrote you to quit mixing in company with fornicators. 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. 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....."remove the wicked (man) from among yourselves."

2 John 10 & 11 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works."

A person is disfellowshipped (no fellowship), not because of what they did, but because of their attitude about what they did. They will only be disfellowshipped due to unrepentant attitude. This is a protection to the rest of the congregation.
As you noted in the scriptures, we are told to not "mix in company with anyone called a brother who is a fornication" etc....to "not even eat with such a man." and then to "not say a greeting" as to become a "sharer in his wicked works."

As you can see from some of the commits from ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, their attitude shows their unrepentance and how harmful their attitude could be to the rest of the congregation.

What you need to remember, if someone is disfellowshipped, that is their choice to live their life not in harmony with their dedication that they made to serve God and life by his moral standards. They are always welcome to come to the meetings, but no one will "fellowship" with them until they are reinstated into the congregation. It does take time, months or even years for someone to be reinstated. They want to make sure that they are truly ready to make the changes in their life and stick with it this time and that their attitude has changed from what it was when they were disfellowshipped.

As I said before, it is a protection for the congregation. Just like if someone is in the military and they do something against the rules, they can be court marshalled and receive a dishonorable discharge. It is a protection to the standards of the military and it's members.

Hebrews 12: 11 "True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous, yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness."

The hope when someone is disfellowshipped is that they will come to see the error of their ways and get their life back in order. Just as your friend seems to be doing by working on getting reinstated. I hope she sticks with it.

As far as being your friend, I'm sure she doesn't mean that she doesn't want to be your friend, but she wants to limit the amount of association due to differences in beliefs.

Answer 11

When you addressed your question to Jehovah's Witnesses, I assume you mean real Jehovah's Witnesses. But I notice that ex-Witnesses, non-Witnesses, and apostates just couldn't wait to jump in with their diatribes and misrepresentations. What a waste. You won't learn anything beneficial from them.

What we do in the case of sin is only what the Bible demands that we do. Sinners can be counseled, disciplined, forgiven, or expelled and reinstated upon producing what the Bible calls "fruits of repentance." It's all there in the Bible. We do no less and no more.

Of course, some people disagree with the Bible. But that's their problem, not ours.

Our God is a loving God, and his Son died for our sins. Like God, we want everyone to be saved and achieve everlasting life. We have no interest in alienating people unnecessarily, nor in condemning anyone. We leave God's job to God, and just do what He has told us to do.