2007-12-31 06:32:38 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Are there Witnesses out there who still continue to socialize with family members who are former Witnesses?
2007-12-31 06:33:38 · update #1
Symantecs: OK I will be more acurate: Do you as an active Jehovah's Witness shun any of your members of your family who are actively disfellowshipped, or are they welcome in your home?
2007-12-31 07:02:23 · update #2
Yes, I'm pretty sure they have to. I think its part of their religon.
2007-12-31 06:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by fratts 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask your study conductor to go over the scriptures that explain "disfellowshipping"
Jesus said if we are faithful in little things, we will be faithful in the big things.
Jesus, Paul, and John have much to say about those who shrink back to destruction.
Jesus said we should cut our arm off if it is a cause for stumbling.
If a family member is a cause from stumbling, what should a loyal Christian do?
Jesus said if our eye is making us stumble, we should pluck it out.
If a close friend is a cause of stumbling, what should a loyal Christian do?
What is the first and greatest commandment? Love for Jehovah.
Who do we put first in our lives? Jehovah or our family?
Jesus said to pick up our torture stake and continue to follow him.
No one said a torture stake is painless.
We don't stop loving those who are disfellowshipped
We don't stop being concerned for those who are disfellowshipped
We do how ever, obey Jesus and stop talking to such ones
.
2007-12-31 18:50:01 · answer #2 · answered by TeeM 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My JW aunt hasn't spoken to her son for 24 years.
2007-12-31 17:17:55 · answer #3 · answered by Suzanne 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I am a Christian, one of Jehovah's Witnesses. How members deal with disfellowshipped relatives, depends on varying levels from person to person.
There are verying times when I am around my brother who is Disfellowshipped. Honestly, the main reason I prefer to be away from him is he treats me like something a dog made on the rug.
Just because someone is disfellowshipped doesn't mean they are left with no one to turn to. My brother at points even moved back in with us.
When I have my home finished, and there is no more joint business for us to attend to, He will not be welcome in my home as he chooses to show me no respect.
2007-12-31 15:28:40 · answer #4 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was baptized and decided to leave the organization by disassociating myself. Since I was baptized, I am no longer allowed to associate with my family members that are JW nor any JW friends I had. I knew that before I disassociated myself. My husband wasn't baptized so he does still see his family somewhat. I do see my parents some now because I have a little girl and they want to be in her life. It's been a slow process, but they do not discuss religious matters with me and I do not discuss that part of my life with them. Baptism is really the key to different factors here.
2007-12-31 15:13:55 · answer #5 · answered by Elphaba 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There is a HUGE difference if the person was baptized or not...there is also a huge difference if the person was disfellowshipped or instead disassociated on their own. THEN, there is another huge difference if the person is repentant or not. So...........
It is recommended when a baptized witness has committed a serious sin (adultry for example)...that in order to keep the Christian congregation clean - which is vital for True worship, that person may not be the best to socialize with. BUT - you can talk with them about encouraging spiritual matters, you can still choose to help that family member financially....that type of thing.
2007-12-31 14:48:07 · answer #6 · answered by Dana C 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No they don't
2007-12-31 14:46:06 · answer #7 · answered by Proud mama UK 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Those who just leave - stop attending - but are not disfellowshipped or REMOVED from the congreation?
No. We are not under compulsion to 'shun' those.
But those who are disfellowshipped - which means they committed a sin and were unrepentant or continued in the sinful course and are removed from the congregation due to this - these ones we do not associate with at all.
Further:
I currently have one disfellowshipped relative and we do not communicate at all unless it is a family emergency. All of our other family members treat him the same way.
When I was disfellowshipped several years ago I was treated the same way by the family. (And I appreciate it to this day!)
2007-12-31 14:45:41 · answer #8 · answered by eliz_esc 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋