Question for Jehovah's Witnesses..?

Question

What kind of things get you disfellowshipped?

Specific. dolt.

Answer 1

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 2

The first time I was disfellowshipped it was for "reviling." The second time, for "loose conduct." I hope there won't be a third time.

I actually know of a Jehovah's Witness woman who was disfellowshipped three times. Her sister is a regular pioneer and told me about her sister, who suffers from manic depression, or bi-polar disorder.

I suspect her mental health condition has something to do with the disfellowshippings.

Answer 3

An unrepentant attitude for breaking God's laws.

Be it fornication, stealing, lying, cheating the tax man, adultery, smoking, extortion, abortion, murder, pornography, apostasy etc.

A person can do any of the above, but then repent and clean up his act. But if the person continues even when counseled, going to the extent of lying, downplaying the wrong, justifying themselves, trying to get others to agree with them.... then the person will be disfellowshipped for the unrepentant attitude.

A person does not get disfellowshipped at the drop of a hat. The elders try to get to the bottom of the matter and assist the person spiritually, showing them why what they did is wrong and what they should do to change their ways.

Answer 4

Unrepentant spiritual uncleanness as in adultery, fornication and others. It is the last step of a long trail of attempted correction. For example, spreading false teachings. The standard would be found at Matthew 18:15-17. This process would be followed. The objective is to gain a brother and not to pounce "YOU'RE WRONG!!!"

The Biblical principle is to keep the congregation clean to not stumble others. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 explains this fully. True Christian congregations are under orders to do things this way. When all else fails we are to "remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves.

Answer 5

as you see the ones that got disfellowshipped love to slander us. we have no rules and if you have a question, the elders are more then willing to answer questions. if you are married and your spouse sleeps around, smoking, slandering, cheating on the tax, will get you disfellowshipped. but if you repent Jehovah is always ready to forgive you. the elders will talk with you and help you to turn around your ways, but if you don't then you can get disfellowshipped. it is not the elders that disfellowship you, it is Jehovah, he keeps a clean house. see what we are all about at www.watchtower.org

Answer 6

Your attitude.

While there are some things more serious in nature than others, no one gets disfellowshipped automatically. It just isn't done that way.

It isn't what one has done but the attitude towards it and the attitude towards the attempt to correct one's course.

Answer 7

Only gross wrong doings (big things) and only if you are unrepentant. If you are upset about it and determined to do right, you only get help.

Gross wrongs are: Crimnal behavior of gross type (not a ticket, but jail stuff), fornication (sex out of marriage), murder, rape, stealing, idolatry, sectarianism, false doctrine.....

Not tiny stuff like just an argument with others, etc.

Debbie

Answer 8

I was disfellowshipped for divorcing my alcoholic, abusive husband. And not allowing the elders to "guide" me back onto the path.
Actually, being disfellowshipped has turned out to be a very positive thing for me, as I was able to stop being brainwashed and started to think for myself.

Answer 9

You know what; even adulterous thoughts can get you kicked out. Hey, but who's gonna tell right. Don't ask, don't tell.

Oops, I got one t-downs. I troubled someones conscious. I will excuse myself and get all dressed up for the rest of the day. See you all again, be nice now!

Answer 10

Disobeying their organization's rules. All the rules are bad, but if you for example receive a blood transfusion, that get you disfellowshipped. Or if you celebrate anyone's birthday etc.

You also need to submit to their odd doctrines.