what is the scripture that dubbies use to say its ok to disfellowship and ignore people ?

by looloo 12 Replies latest jw friends

  • looloo
  • cedars
    cedars

    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. 12 For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do YOU not judge those inside, 13 while God judges those outside? “Remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves.” (1 Cor 5:11,12)

    Obviously the above scripture mentions nothing about shunning actual family members. It is also noteworthy that the statement was addressed to the Corinthian congregation, and not to a family somewhere in Corinth.

  • looloo
    looloo

    thanks cedars

  • jonathan dough
    jonathan dough

    http://www.144000.110mb.com/directory/shunning_disfellowshipped_shunning_disfellowshipping.html

    Verging on the macabre in this 21st Century, the Jehovah's Witnesses draconian practice of disfellowshipping and shunning current and former members is one of the most controversial aspects of this religion and has caused untold psychological and physical harm to thousands. The Watchtower Society mislabels the practice of shunning and disfellowshipping, as an act of love and a means of enforcing conformity.

    Scriptural justification for shunning is weak, at best. It is considered by many on the outside as one of the most offensive and unbiblical tools in the Watchtower Society's arsenal of weapons used to enforce rigid conformity to their multitude of rules and regulations. Grounds for disfellowshipping, a radical form of excommunication, are legion. The list includes adultery, fornication, greed, accepting blood transfusions (with modifications), drunkenness, associating with the disfellowshipped ... the list is very extensive and subject to wide interpretation. Many of those shunned or disfellowshipped are guilty of apostasy - abandoning the religion and turning away from the teachings of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Similar to the Mob, once you're in there's no easy way out without suffering severe consequences.

    A significant amount of judging and attendance at judicial committees is involved. The act of shunning and disfellowshipping as implemented by the Jehovah's Witnesses has caused untold pain and suffering among friends and family members. Families are routinely destroyed and broken up, forever; siblings are separated, often for life, parents lose their children, children lose their parents. Grandparents are ostracized and cut off from their grandchildren for the sake of keeping members 'in.'

    Most often the simple act of saying hello to a disfellowshipped person, or one who has disassociated him or herself from the organization, is forbidden. The horror stories told by the disfellowshipped, thousands of them, are ghastly and heartrending. The ancient practice of disfellowshipping and shunning causes profound psychological damage, and has led to suicide. As practiced by the Jehovah's Witnesses, their extreme form of shunning in most cases is simply cruel, nothing more.

    Anyone considering joining the Jehovah's Witnesses is advised to pay close attention to the consequences and repercussions for not living up to the Watchtower Society's standards, or questioning their doctrine. The ultimate price might be unbearable and irreversible. To assist you in making the right decision and help you learn more about this practice, visit the websites listed below for additional information.

  • PSacramento
    PSacramento

    Cedars is correct that the passage from Paul to the Corinthians is the one most used.

    To bad it is take so badly out of context and it is not mentioned that Paul never mentions do anyhting liek that ever again and even shows remorse about his hasty advice and tells them to accept that person back.

    Not to mention that the individual in question is commiting multiple sins and none of them are "theological" or are questioning the authority of the elders or even doctrine, he is commiting adultery with his fathers wife ( divorced one assumes) and dishounring his Father ( both commandments).

    To use this passage which is a specfifc punishment for a specific case of a unrepentant believer, to justify shunning people that disagree with the HUMAN doctrine of the WT is, well quite frankly, blasphemous.

  • tec
    tec

    Cedars, I think that they use the one about a man's enemies will be members of his own household, to justify shunning family members as well.

    Of course, even giving them the benefit of the doubt, they have to ignore the fact that Christ said we are to love our enemies. They ignore a lot of things that Christ said, though.

    To bad it is take so badly out of context and it is not mentioned that Paul never mentions do anyhting liek that ever again and even shows remorse about his hasty advice and tells them to accept that person back.

    Agreed. Witnesses assume that the man repented and stopped doing whatever he had been doing 'wrong'. But the second account does not even suggest that Paul was aware of any such change. Only that he wanted them to embrace him as a brother, and he had remorse over causing any of them pain.

    Peace,

    Tammy

  • TimothyT
    TimothyT

    They also use 2 John 10-11:

    10 If anyone comes to YOU and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into YOUR homes or say a greeting to him. 11 For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.

    Yesterday, an older JW sister said hi to me and my dad pointed out then, that this means she also MUST be gay!!! HAHA!!!

  • TimothyT
    TimothyT

    Its also interesting to note that the verse they quote so often in 1 Corinthians 5 was refering to a man who was sleeping with his mother in law. This has been expanded to mean ALL those sinning against the organisation, including those who choose to leave voluntarily or decide it isnt the truth anymore.

    Paul again refers to this man in 2 Corinthians 2, where he says that they should lovingly forgive him and warmly encourage him so that he doesnt get swallowed up in sadness. Its odd though that this part of Paul's councel is NEVER spoken of!

  • PSacramento
    PSacramento

    As for 2 John, see what it says IN CONTEXT:

    7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what wei have worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.

    What is John warning about?

    Why this:

    7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist!

    and this:

    9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

  • JustThatGirl007
    JustThatGirl007

    This scripture has NEVER computed in my brain as logical in any way. I don't get how they make the leap from this scripture to "You're disfellowshipped for the next 3 years until you can PROVE to us that you've changed your ways."

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