New DF/DA Policy?

by new light 31 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  cyber-sista

  maybe they just don't want the congregation to know if a person is out by choice or force.

  Yes, this makes sense. So many are leaving of their own accord and disbelief and not because of some biblical sin commited. This is what the WT does not want its members to know. Now the congo will just speculate about everyone who is is annouced as "no longer one of JWs" and imagine them as being wicked and evil and unrepentent even if there was no "biblical sin" commited. It will help the WT image to demonize everyone who has left the Org for whatever reason and make sure the congo is kept in the dark kept clean.

  There may also be some legal slander type issues they are scooting around.

  cybs
• 

  Bryan

  I, too, believe this is a very probable reason:

  maybe they just don't want the congregation to know if a person is out by choice or force.

  But couldn't they have simply sent a BOE letter instead of spending a few hundred thousand on book printing?

  Bryan

  Have You Seen My Mother
• 

  JH

  It's all about spiritual abuse by the elders.
• 

  booker-t

  I remember in the 70's and early 80's when the WTS "created" the term "disassociation" for people that left on their own and many JW's were confused as to whether or not to speak to the DA person or was they really "kicked out" and there was so much confusion I found out later that they only created this DA term because ex-jws were suing them for saying they was DF for conduct unbecoming of a Christian. When a DA jw left many of them were not involved in immoral conduct so the WTS had to make a clear distinction of one who left on his own and one who was kicked out. With the new policy it seems that they are reverting right back to the old way lumping both DA and DF in one catorgory.
• 

  iiz2cool

  But couldn't they have simply sent a BOE letter instead of spending a few hundred thousand on book printing?

  The rank & file JWs get restless quickly, but they're easily excited whenever there's new food from Jehover in the form of a new release. It's not really new food, just the same regurgitated tripe, but they don't know that.

  Walter
• 

  rocketman

  Just a point about those who are "inactive" - while persons who do not engage in the filed ministry for a period of six months are the ones who are technically termed "inactive", if they attend meeting fairly regularly, it normally will be only the elders who know they are "inactive" the strict jw sense. Such persons might be treated pretty normally by those in the congregation because they are seen at the meetings.

  Of course, if word gets out, i.e, if some elder opens his mouth, then before you know it, a mild (or sometimes pretty severe) form of shunning takes place, and the person barely gets spoken with or acknowledged at the Kingdom Hall.

  As far as being inactive in the sense of not attending meetings at all, those persons are often practically shunned, though this is supposedly not the 'official' stance. There's been many an account posted here about those who are inactive being pretty much shunned by elders and congregation members alike.
• 

  jeanniebeanz

  a mild (or sometimes pretty severe) form of shunning takes place, and the person barely gets spoken with or acknowledged at the Kingdom Hall.

  This treatment of 'weak ones' makes as much sense as withholding food from an anorexic person to teach them how much they need it. Let's starve them to death, that'll show them how much love we have for them!

  J
• 

  purplesofa

  Let's starve them to death, that'll show them how much love we have for them!

  a mild (or sometimes pretty severe) form of shunning takes place, and the person barely gets spoken with or acknowledged at the Kingdom Hall.

  I was thinking about my own situation. Single mom ....working full time .....I was making all the meetings, average of 10 out in service........even aux last year for a month. I am glad you made the statement about the shunning when FS goes down. It makes sense now the treatment at my hall, and I really don't care what they think ........it's impossible to meet to their demands and not feel homicidal!!!!!! I am glad I got off the treadmill. They will step over a brother or sister to get time in. If they would only care for their own.........

  purps
• 

  tijkmo

  though not officially able to shun for poor meeting attendance or fs..what they can decide to do is 'mark' such an individual as a bad associate thereby excluding them from social activities..this is a private decision although most that decide to do it tell others and then they can privately decide to do it as well..

  jeannie...i remember thinking when i was trying to get reinstated that it was a bit like a drug addict going to rehab and telling them that he wanted to give up drugs but needed help cos he was addicted and being told well we can only believe you when you prove you want to give up by in fact giving up and then we will welcome you with open arms(lol) and give you all the help you need now that you dont actually need help...oh and dont even think about asking any of your friends or family to help you...ok dude easier to just overdose..thanx for nothing..peace
• 

  hamsterbait

  Note that in the release talk it was explained VERBALLY that after the "no longer JW announcement" so and so is to be treated as DF or DA. ( Was a copy of the release announcement to be put on the notice board - I bet not, which would back up my following hunch):

  The Bulgaria compromise said that no announcement of DA or DF would be made regarding those who took blood or the four "primary blood components" as defined by the old farmboys of NY Bethel. If they are taken to the European court they can say: "DF? DA? What??? We didn't disfellowship him for taking blood..."

  Thus as ever they can honor the letter of the ruling, but not the spirit.

  HB