If someone leaves your place of worship and participating in another religion....?

Question

Are you taught to follow 2 John 1:9 - 11 which states:

(KJV)

9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

(NLT)

9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.

These scriptures clearly state that you are not allowed to even greet such ones that leave and follow false teachings.

A church or religious group will always accept a new follower, but if a follower then strays away and refuses to be a part of the original religion, do the members of that original religion follow these scriptures when they see that member that strayed away?

I'm not attacking any religion, but I do not know how other religions handle this and was curious.

A church or religious group will always accept a new follower, but if a follower then strays away and refuses to be a part of the original religion, do the members of that original religion follow these scriptures when they see that member that strayed away?

I'm not attacking any religion, but I do not know how other religions handle this and was curious.

Answer 1

When a Jehovah's Witness stops attending meetings and goes to another faith the elders will speak with them. If they are determined to go they will be disfellowshiped.
That scripture sums it up.

Jesus also said if after learning the truth of God's word some have left the faith then let them go, they were not of our sort.

Answer 2

in the early days of the church they met in homes.The homes were visited by various teachers traveling church to church. The only way to deal with a teacher who comes and does not teach the truth about Christ is to refuse to welcome/encourage him in any way. If he wasnt teaching the truth the believers must not even give their time to such a hearing! To paul,listening to false teachers would make a beleiver a partner in his evil work. It may be rude to turn them way, but it is better to be faithful to God than let someone lead your flock astray.

There is a difference, however, between being hospitible to those unbelievers you can lead to Christ and those who are focused on winning beleivers away from Christ.

Answer 3

Excuse me..but you guys take in other people all the time who have left their religions and doctrines..
Do you not? So this doesn't apply to you? Just to others? ..Do you not see what you are saying? You guys take so much out of context...

Edit..these scriptures you have quoted..the following is what they mean..
Runs ahead. A reference to the Gnostsics, who believed that they had advanced beyound the teaching of the apostles. teaching of Christ. The similarity of this letter to 1 John, the nature of the heresy combated, and the immediate context suggest that John is not referring to teachings given by Christ, but to true teaching about Christ as the incarnate God-man.
10...take him into your house. A reference to the housing and feeding of traveling teachers. The instruction does not prohibit greeting or even inviting a person into one's home for conversation. John was warning against providing food and shelter, since this would bew an investment in the "wicked work" of false teachers and would give public approval.

I hope you read the above and give it some thought.

Answer 4

It's always seemed a little too convenient to me that the bible dictates that sort of behavior. It's almost as if thinking for oneself is frowned upon.

Not that the bible is very consistent about that either:
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Ecclesiates 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Answer 5

I agree with your last statement thoroughly. However, it would be a good idea to make sure that the religion you belong in is the right one, or you could find yourself "a partner in their evil work"

Any religion that doesn't teach the truth about the bible, and act accordingly, is a "false teacher"

I hope you're not Catholic.

Answer 6

If someone who originally shares a religion with me decides that they would be happier in a different religion, then more power to them. I would congratulate them on finding their true path, and wish them well. It would take a black heart indeed to refuse to associate with someone who follows a different path.

Answer 7

I've been reading the website that that kid who shot people in Colorado posted to. A lot of people claim that their churches did this to them when then left (not that kid, though, that I've seen). They speak of the hopelessness of having people who they thought truly loved them abandon them because they did not believe. They speak of being slandered and told that they are demonic or posessed because they left their church. I hope most people don't do this to those who leave their churches. It's VERY damaging.

Answer 8

Yes, basically that's the process. We do try to get people to come back. But if they don't, its their choice.

Answer 9

You make it sound like a rhetorical question. So its not worthy of an answer.