Jehovah's Witnesses, should all faiths react the same way when they lose a member?

Question

Would you look at Lutherans shunning ex-Lutherans, for instance, as being cruel? Or noble?

P. June -- OK, they're noble for shunning -- as the disheartened Lutheran runs to the sanctuary of Jehovah's Witnesses. Still noble?

Answer 1

Good point. How Christian it is to act like JWs...

Answer 2

I would think finally someone else was stepping up and actually following the model of the 1st century Christians, listening to the instructions given and taking God's Word seriously enough to risk offending people who think that their own personal feelings are more important than what God says is right and wrong.




Follow up:


It depends. But a person must go through a long process of Bible study before qualifying to be one of JWs. So, if the person who was shunned from the Lutherans came to us and did so, then that would be considered (probably) as evidence of repentance from past sins and the person would be welcomed into the congregation.

We only "shun" or disfellowship those who have made a dedication and been baptized, who then commit a sin and are unrepentant.

Answer 3

JW's are supposed to shun (in a non-insulting manner) the baptised brothers and sisters who've conducted sins such as adulty, celebrating holidays, anything that contradics the whole meaning of their baptism.

When losing a member, they aren't supposed to shun them, but try hard to bring them back into the religion. But if that lost member wants to become a being outside their list of morals, then the elders of the congregation would suggest brothers and sisters to not associate with them on the daily basis, thinking the person who fell out will bring more people out of the religion.

Answer 4

Jesus told A woman of Sa·mar´i·a:

John 4:22 "YOU worship what YOU do not know; we worship what we know, "

All Jehovah's Witnesses have studied and have come to understand Jehovah's requirement for pure worship.

Thus disfellowshipping comes from being unrepentant after partaking of a sin that causes death.

(2 Peter 2:17-22) 17 These are fountains without water, and mists driven by a violent storm, and for them the blackness of darkness has been reserved. 18 For they utter swelling expressions of no profit, and by the desires of the flesh and by loose habits they entice those who are just escaping from people who conduct themselves in error. 19 While they are promising them freedom, they themselves are existing as slaves of corruption. For whoever is overcome by another is enslaved by this one. 20 Certainly if, after having escaped from the defilements of the world by an accurate knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they get involved again with these very things and are overcome, the final conditions have become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have accurately known the path of righteousness than after knowing it accurately to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 The saying of the true proverb has happened to them: “The dog has returned to its own vomit, and the sow that was bathed to rolling in the mire.”



(1 John 5:16-17) 16 If anyone catches sight of his brother sinning a sin that does not incur death, he will ask, and he will give life to him, yes, to those not sinning so as to incur death. There is a sin that does incur death. It is concerning that sin that I do not tell him to make request. 17 All unrighteousness is sin; and yet there is a sin that does not incur death.

Jesus said if a person doesn't listen to the congregation, they are to become as a man of the nations or a tax collector.

Where does it say we get to pick and chose which scriptures we want to obey?

As to a Lutheran becoming a Jehovah's Witness, This means that they have studied and learned the truth from God's Word.

How will the Lutheran's treat this person, I don't know.

I do know that great joy is shouted in heaven when a lost one returns to Jehovah.

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Answer 5

First you need to understand that one does not get removed from the congregation without much effort put forth to help such ones to correct their course of action. But it is ultimately up to the individual to either listen to and apply Bible counsel or not.

Next the removing of such ones from the congregation is scriptural 1Corinthians 5:11-13: "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."
The goal is to protect those that are trying to apply Bible principles in their lives from association that could prove damaging to them.
Also to help the one removed to think about their course of life, and if they adjust it they are to be welcomed back.
2 Corinthians 2:6-8: " This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary now, you should kindly forgive and comfort him, that somehow such a man may not be swallowed up by his being overly sad. Therefore I exhort you to confirm your love for him."

So we are saddened when a lover of Jehovah loses their way, but we are so happy when they return. Having been removed myself, and welcomed back, I speak from first hand experience.
Discipline is only given to those whom Jehovah loves, Hebrews 12:6: " for whom Jehovah loves he disciplines; in fact, he scourges every one whom he recieves as a son."

I am glad that Jehovah so loved, and disciplined me.

So, if any other faith applies the same Bible based principles, I commend them.

Answer 6

Do JWs actualkly shun people? I know some JWs and they still associate with other JWs who have left the church.

Answer 7

Oh. Well, then, I suppose we should all ignore God's commands at 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 15:33 then shouldn't we? Maybe we'll abandon the Bible altogether and start doing everything you say.

Answer 8

No, first off all religious groups, as long as it is not harmful to the person, have a right to handle others the way they choose.

I am a Christian, one of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Bible makes it clear that the congregation must be kept clean. Doesn't mean we would harm them, or not save their life, or that they aren't allowed to come to the Hall.

Answer 9

I love t his question. Being that I have lost all of my family due to this cult. I am glad when it's practices are brought out.....The Witnesses miss the entire meaning of Jesus gospel of Grace and seek salvation through Works and fear.

Answer 10

Well if it were carried out according to Biblical setting then I would have no problem with it.

Disfellowshipping IS a scriptural practice.

Answer 11

Some Pharisees are more righteous than others, I guess some hereticks are more heretical than others, and some cults are more cultic than others!!!!