Thank you... and may you all have peace!
The truth is that NO offense is an "automatic" DF'ing for the WTBTS... except openly and immovably disagreeing with (1) the WTBTS, (2) the WT, or (3) the elders, PO, CO, etc.. And in the case of disagreeing, while you may not actually be DF'd as an "apostate" (at least, I was assured I was not but for "disobedience" for declining yet another "[it's not really a JC] meeting" - after 14), they pretty much tell everyone that's what you are.
Even if your disagreement is based on what's written in the Bible... vs. what's written in the WT.
Even (and most importantly) if the "elders" agree that the Bible says what you showed them ("Yes, Sister, but that's not what the WT, Reasoning, Live Forever, Revelation, etc., Book, says!"). During one of my last meetings, one "elder" very angrily counseled me that I was "going beyond the things written," and when I asked, "Yes, but written where, Brother?," he replied, "Written in the Watchtower!" Thankfully, he was corrected by a very embarassed PO who was also present. I digress.
DF'ing for all other "offenses," however... from taking blood (yes, you can be DF'd for that!) to committing adultery to homosexuality to... to... whathaveyou... depends NOT on whether it is believed that the person is "repentant" or not, but entirely on (1) who the offender is... (2) who is sitting in judgment and deciding the outcome.. and (3) who may have been offended. Period. Because this is HOW "repentance" is determined by them. Literal repentance, however, has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. Why? Because not one of them CAN know the heart of another person. Not one.
Who among us can read another's heart? Heck, half the time we can't even read our own. So the answer is none of us. That's why we were told NOT to judge by Christ... as just because someones says they are repentant doesn't mean they are... and just because someone doesn't physically manifest that they repentant (i.e., doesn't lower eyes, tremble, shake, cry, sob, beg, plead, etc.) are doesn't mean they aren't. It's only those who follow the erroneous teachings of PAUL (who initially engaged in judging and tried to teach the Corinthian congregation to judge, almost to their utter demise, and so had to learn not to judge himself and thus later taught NOT to judge)... who disregard this COMMAND from Christ. Matthew 7:1-5, stated about 3.5 years before Paul ever encountered our Lord and recorded before he wrote Romans 2:1; 14:4, 10-13; , which was written about a year after and thus supersedes 1 Corinthians 5:12-6:5.
In addition (and I challenge any "elder", former "elder," PO, CO, DO, GB, or whathaveyou, to truthfully and honestly deny it)... more often than not "elders" will [find some way to] protect (excuse me, "forgive") those they know, think they know, like, love... or fear... primarily because (1) they don't want any "scandal" in their own families or among those they associate with, or (2) they know the offender knows something about them... or someone close to them... and don't want it to come out).
But even Paul acknowledged that he wasn't "master over [anyone's] faith." 2 Corinthians 1:24
The ONLY One who has authority to judge right now is Christ... and HE said that HE doesn't judge... and that WE shouldn't either. John 3:17; John 8:15; John 12:47; Luke 6:37
That the so-called "leaders" of what is purported to be God's "chosen" people don't get this VERY important teaching by CHRIST is undeniable PROOF that the "law" of God is NOT "with" them... and that they HAVE "rejected [His] very Word." Jeremiah 8:8-15; John 1:14; Revelation 19:13
For those who, like me, your servant, at one time or another judged others and/or sat in judgment of others, a ransom has been paid and you may be forgiven. All you need do... is ask... and exercise faith that what you hope for (forgiveness) will be granted.
May those who wish it have ears to hear... and perhaps even relate this truth to others who apparently haven't heard.
Again, I bid you all peace!
A slave of Christ,
SA