This whole practice of disfellowshipping and shunning is counterproductive. Had anyone shown some genuine Christian love during the time that I was having serious doubts about the Watchtower Society, I might have reconsidered my own position. But the process of shunning began even before the judicial decision. I had voluntarily stepped down from serving as an elder because I felt that my four teenage children needed me at home. I suddenly became a "personna non grata" in the congregation because some felt I must have done "something wrong" to lose the privilege. It was one of the reasons that I began to take a more serious view of "the truth." Having stepped down also gave me more time to read the old literature to determine what the Watchtower taught in the past. It was quite an "eye opener." It wasn't long thereafter that I stopped going to the meetings. When the elders called at my home to "readjust my thinking", they really only wanted to determine whether or not I still recognized the Watchtower as "God's channel of communication." I expressed doubts about the claim and questioned the Watchtower's interpetation about the "faithful and discreet slave." But it was enough for them to proceed with the judicial process. I refused to submit to their authority and was df'd "in abstensia."
Fear is one of the major factors in the Watchtower Society. Members fear to get too close to anyone who is under suspicion or who is "marked" for fear they too might come under the scrutiny of the elders. So, instead of demonstrating Christian love and concern, they withdraw. By doing this, it becomes clear that this is not a Christian organization. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18