Jehovah's witnesses and shunning?

Question

I was shunned by my step mother and father and step siblings for monthly periods whilst I lived with them whilst I was young. Due to not being in a certain religion.. what does people feel about religious shunning and punishment for disfellowshipping

I too thought that perhaps they are following what is written within the bible. But did jesus not say: "love your neighbour" and "love your enemies" ?

It happened when I left the religion. Once I left (whilst I was still living with them) all of a sudden I was shunned, and neglected by my own father

After reviewing the answers received, I have concluded that I will avoid organised religions of which hold such beliefs. Despite being written in a book, such beliefs can ruin family life and psychological damage to the vulnerable. It also does not show free will

Answer 1

Because I am a person that like to build up another and not tear them down; I do find that to be cruel and heartbreaking. But again it comes down to "What did you do that was so wrong?" Are you underage or an adult? If you did something terrible wrong, its just like how our human parents have to discipline us. We do get disciplined by our parents to teach us what is right from wrong and having virtues. But again our parents don't shun us. They need to be open to us and guide us in the right direction. I don't know what a silent treatment can do but cause one to have psychological problems depending on their state of being (mind and self esteem) at the time. How can your father and stepmom correct you if they have to keep silent? I don't understand. You can even ask a psychologist and they will tell you "silent treatment" can be damaging; especially on a young child. God have mercy.

UPDATE: O.K. you guys, the JW's here. This asker was a minor at that time living at home with his parents. I can't believe it! You allow parents to give their child the "silent treatment"??? That is not the kind of love Jesus gave example for us. For a parents to torture their child mentally like that is ABHORRED by God Almighty. God Almighty the most "Gracious and Merciful". I am sooooo totally against this for any parent to do that to a minor child. That is being called a "bad parent". Shame, shame. Better watch out for the child protective service come knocking on YOUR DOOR!
I will e-mail you grandpa.

Answer 2

I noticed that you didn't say WHY your step mother and father shunned you. Would you like to fill us in on the reason for their action or are you trying to get sympathy from those who don't have a clue about what the Bible says about disfellowshiping in the Christian congregation?

One Christian man began to practice fornication in the Corinthian congregation. When he evidently did not repent and stop his immorality, Paul directed the congregation to disfellowship him. (1 Cor. 5:9-13) However, it seems that this disfellowshiped person thereafter did sincerely repent. He was later reinstated in the congregation.

Patricia G, above says: "A true christian would never shun you under any circumstances."

Andre says: "It's childish and a sign of insecurity in their beliefs."

Trina says: "Well, I think it's rude and abusive."

Big Super says: "I think it's a shame, after all, we all are human."

I expect such ones to be ignorant as to what God's words says should be done to those who continue to practice sin, but I would expect YOU to know how the Bible says willfull sinners are to be handled. As Paul said at 1 Cor. 5:11: "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."

Answer 3

nicely i've got in no way had yet another faith yet i comprehend what the bible teaches w/ regards to persons who leave organic worship and verify out to misinform others, so all church homes following the scriptures might decrease ties w/ certainly one of those guy or woman. I enjoyed Rick G's answer, i've got examine a ton of his comments on Y/A yet i've got in no way found out he was once a mormon. What a clean distinction from ex JW's, Rick isn't obsessed w badgering Mormons, he does not ought to he has a greater suitable message to furnish. that is unhappy to make certain the hopelessness of Apostates of Jehovah, they comprehend the certainty, yet they supply the impact of being to proud to do what's nice.

Answer 4

to those who wrote this person:

hey all. gramps here.

ya gotta know something. shunning is biblical. it is actually COMMANDED by christ, and reiterated in the rest of the 'new testament' in that those who commit filthy, vile or immoral acts, such as a child molester, a thief, a rapist, murderer, bigamist, etc should be treated as a 'person of the nations'.

It has happened to some of my acquaintances and to my ex. she did immoral things, and was a danger to the congregation. so, they kick her out, and when one i is removed from the congregation they are told exactly why, who are the witnesses against them for the sin committed, and that their attitude is very unrepentant, ie, they do not accept the words of Jehovah and or Jesus Christ as worthy of obeying.

in the 'old testament' days, such a person would be stoned to death. stephan was murdered by the jews for what they considered a form of apostasy. christ, tho, told us not to take lives. the law of love does demand obedience to christ and his father, and our father.

if any would like an annotated answer, feel free to email me privately.

adios from the beach.

actually, i am down the street from knotts berry farm at the moment.

nice!
:-)

Answer 5

I believe in disfellowshipping. I also believe in forgiveness. So do JWs, which is why I was reinstated twice, even though I told the elders that I felt ambivalent and pessimistic about my reinstatement letter.

Minor children are still the legal responsibility of the parents so at least they provided you with food and shelter. I knew one family whose son starting doing drugs and wanted to live that lifestyle. Since he was at least 18, his parents decided to kick him out after he got disfellowshipped. They were concerned about his corrupting influence on the younger siblings. Years later he was reinstated after he cleaned up his act.

My own family helped me out for "humanitarian reasons."

Disfellowshipping doesn't end the family tie. Consider the following scenario: if my mother were to be disfellowshipped and broke "both her legs" I would go over to her house, cook and clean for her, do her grocery shopping, and whatever else to provide for her physical needs. But, I wouldn't have any extended and unnecessary conversations with her or spend time with her not related to her physical needs.

Answer 6

Jehovah's Witnesses don't associate with those who have been disfellowshiped or persons who have an immoral conduct because they know that God does not approve it. They adopt the attitude that the Christians from the 1st century had.

"Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits." --1 Corinthians15:33

"Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness?" -- 2 Corinthians 6:14

"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. For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do you not judge those inside, while God judges those outside? “Remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves.”" -- 1 Corinthians 5:11-13


http://www.watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm

Answer 7

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 8

If I were to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I would never be able to participate in this practice. I would have to treat those who were having a hard time with love and compassion. I think that is what Jesus would want me to do.

just my opinion

Answer 9

You know...it's in the Bible and a TRUE Christian follows what the Bible says. Most religions don't care what people in the church do. Jehovah's Witnesses are following the Bible's direction to expell those who carry on sin.

It's a responsiblity to be one of Jehovah's people.

Answer 10

I can't imagine Jesus doing it. I have had it happen to me. still am no family contact for 25 years. Lost all of my family due to their shunning policies.