Hi myababes - thanks for sharing your story.
YES they can. I know from experience. My mother had been out of the organisation, was smoking, and pretty much leading what the witnesses call a "worldly life" She did that for 10 years - in that time thou she still kinda believed it to be the truth - just that she had wondered.
When I made my stand against the organisation & had shared my new views with my mother, the elders, for the first time in 10 years contacted my mother and wanted a committee meeting with her, she refused. They then told her over the phone she was disfellowshipped. They announced it that week, the following week they announced my disfellowshipment.
You keep pushing back at them - they have no right to interefere. I know a young girl who is so messed up because of this faith!!!