Jehovah Witnesses - How do you feel about the dis-fellowship of fellow church members?

Question

I`ve met devout bible believing JW`s that disagree with the church`s policy regarding dis-fellowship. I think and correct me if I`m wrong that the practice came from the church and not the faith. How do you feel about the dis-fellowship of fellow church members?

Answer 1

k i grew up a JW my dad is an elder most of my uncles both my grandfathers and so forth. i have mixed feelings on disfellowship. the bible says to watch your association not to associate with "bad people" and so forth. the thing is a lot of elders are dumb and have a power trip or try to make an example of people by disfelowing them. like 1 elder tried having me disfellowshiped because i married a non JW. and in reality there was no ground to it the bible jus warns about being on a different yolk. (i fought it and i didnt get DF'd) a friend of mine was DF'd because of gettin a divorce (the bible says only biblical reason for divorce is adultry) she got DF'd and in reality even my dad said there was no reason for it her husband was emotionally abusing her but he was really close family friends with some elders. every religion you go to there are good elders pastors priests and what not and others with power trips that's are just in it for the name. i wont associate with a person if they where DF'd on certain grounds. if you're dealing with unbiased elders the only way you can get DF'd is adultry whether ur married or not. assulter molester stuff like that.

Answer 2

Hi B Grimey

Well I haven't met any Witnesses that have that attitude on disfellowshiping.
Likely it is because they view disfellowshiping as a blessing to the congregation.

You might ask 'how can kicking someone out be a blessing to the congregation?'

To understand it you must understand why people get disfellowshiped in the first place.

First off ALL people make mistakes , we are all sinners and this is the same IN the congregation.
God is fair and well knows that we are imperfect flesh and prone to errors.

However sometimes people do bad things (according to Gods standards) which they are not sorry for.
These people may still wish to associate with Gods people but not own up or be responsible for their own actions.

This is an unrepentant attitude.
Having an unrepentant attitude puts barrier between us and our God.
He does not accept unrighteous behavior or wickedness.
God will not listen to the prayers of wicked people.

Proverbs 28:9 ''He that is turning his ear away from hearing the law-even his prayer is something detestable.''


The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7 . . .''Do YOU not know that a little leaven ferments the whole lump? Clear away the old leaven, that YOU may be a new lump, according as YOU are free from ferment. ''

A little bit of leaven can ferment a whole lump.
Leaven in the Bible often refers to an impurity, in this way , leaven refers to defective thinking.
So a person that has a unrighteous attitude can affect the others that are trying to do what is right in Gods sight.

Proverbs 28:10 ''He that is causing the upright ones to go astray into the bad way will himself fall into his own pit, . . .''


Consider this example..
Say you are the Matre D' of a fine upscale resturaunt.
While many other valued clients are dinning one of your familiar customers , a pig farmer, enters and you notice that he hasn't showered.
In fact , he still has his boots on all covered in sticky pig poo.
You request your loved patron to clean up and and return later as his condition is unacceptable for such a good place.
This pig farmer then become belligerent and refuse even to remove his boots , perhaps claiming that its not HIS POO.
What does his actions show regarding his respect and appreciation for the fine resturaunt , and its owner.?

So what will the Matre D' do ?

Will he let the pig farmer enter and cause disruption and let his filth to be spread into his resturaunt and onto the other guests.? , or does he forbid entry until the pig farmer cleans his act up.?

A good Matre D' interested in the welfare of the majority of good diners will prevent this person from entering while in this condition.
Of course, when cleaned , this person can be welcomed back into the establishment with the others and allowed to enjoy themselves with fine food and drink.


This is the same within the Christian congregation.
Those that do wrong and are unrepentant may need to be removed from the congregation.
In time when the individuals attitude improves and they correct their mistake they can return to the congregation.

Until that time their removal is a protection and a blessing to others that sincerely want to do what is right.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not enjoy when anyone is asked to leave but I hope you can see that there is a perfectly logical and fair reason behind it.

Just like the returned prodigal son , we welcome back warmly those that have become clean again in Gods sight and returned to a healthful mental attitude.

For more Bible based info please feel free to email me.

Answer 3

The church IS the faith...or so it seems to me. I think the church does a favor to those it dis-fellows, after all, they've got a renewed opportunity to think for themselves and find a more enlightened path- the one that leads away from organized religion, which in my opinion seduces many and leads them away from real spiritual truth.

Answer 4

To me it's a very cruel practice of the Jehovah's Witnesses, but they will pick out Bible verses to support their position and claim piety in their behavior. There are some ethical lines that I will not cross, and one of them is that I will not be told not to love someone because "the Bible says so."

Answer 5

Jesus, Paul, and James all comment and teach about 'disfellowshiping' believers who longer live or believe the way of the truth.

Christians can not pick and choose those teaching they don't agree with.

This is evident from the many 'so called' christian churches found today.

How do I feel about disfellowshiping and those who have been disfellowshiped?

I have great sorrow because they have rejected the hope and joy that comes from being with God's people.

.

Answer 6

It is cruel and very unchristian.I have had no contact with my family for 25 years. they destroy families


JAEL S: thank you for your honest answer.