2007-09-27 04:14:46 · 6 answers · asked by LordVader 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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
2007-10-01 00:48:32 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Um, odd. Honestly, there are some relocated by the WB&TS to areas where there is a lack of those availible to share our message, quite common a practice. Those who are involved in this are known as Missionaries.
As for "excaping" or always being watched, of course no one is "always going to be watching".
If someone wishes to stop being a Witness, or associating with us, they simply do. As for being watched, asside from whatever Deity(ies) a person may believe in, and for those who believe the government is constantly watching them, No, no one is Always watching.
Who has time to track people all the time. We as Christians are busy with our lives, day to day stuff, and offering to share our beliefs.
2007-09-30 10:27:45 · answer #2 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They will watch you to make sure that you are keeping up with the Works required of witnesses. If you do not, they will disfellowship you as to keep you from talking to any other Witness, just in case you discover that they are a false religion and try to share your knowledge with other Witnesses.
They will label you Apostate..(ooh scary) to put fear in the hearts of witnesses, so they will run in the other direction if they see you walking down the street.
2007-10-01 10:44:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Silly LordVader, don't you know that Pauly the Anthro-Dragon is watching you, and he frankly couldn't care less about nosy evangelists because he's intrigued by such things as:
---what is Vader really doing in that meditation chamber?
---what's up with that calculator on Vader's chest?
---how does Vader chew bubble gum?
---is Vader's version of "polishing the helmet" the same thing as Pauly the Anthro-Dragon's version of "polishing the helmet"?
2007-09-29 06:52:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You never know who is knocking on the door, except for Saturday morning at 9am. Not even Mormons knock that early.
2007-09-27 14:30:49 · answer #5 · answered by joezen777 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What are you talking about???
The only one always watching you is Jehovah God.
2007-09-27 11:56:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋