NO FUNERAL FOR THE DISFELLOWSHIPPED?

by Pureheart 10 Replies latest jw friends

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  Pureheart

  How are disfellowshipped people treated when they die?

  The congregation would generally not be involved. The Kingdom Hall would not be used. If the person had been giving evidence of repentance and manifesting a desire to be reinstated, a brother’s conscience might allow him to give a Bible talk at the funeral home or graveside, to give a witness to unbelievers and to comfort the relatives. Before making this decision, however, it would be wise for the brother to consult with the body of elders and give consideration to what they may recommend. In situations where it would not be wise for that brother to be involved, it may be appropriate for a brother who is a member of the deceased person’s family to give a talk to console the relatives.

  These are the reasons given for disfellowshipping actions:

  The Christian congregation is justified in expelling unrepentant wrongdoers from their midst. Why? Because the congregation must be a haven from immoral predators and other willful practicers of sin. This action prevents the sinner from spreading corruption in the congregation, and it protects the congregation’s good name. It can move previously unrepentant sinners to take their first steps back to God. Also, it demonstrates love for the wrongdoer by encouraging him to repent and “turn around so as to get [his] sins blotted out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the person of Jehovah.”—Acts 3:19.

  Questions: Can a dead person do any of the things mentioned above? Is it not true that “those who have died have been acquitted of their sin?”

  Pureheart
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  alamb

  This is so true. Jehovah's Witnesses keep account after sins have been blotted out....long after. At Bethel records are kept of DF'd ones after they have died in a special file. Their requirements for forgiveness are obviously higher than God him/herself's.
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  closer2fine

  So what if you are inactive?

  closer
  
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  ashitaka

  Agreed. Excellent post pureheart.

  ashi
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  Pureheart

  Well said alamb. Many people that were disfellowshipped have gone on with their lives, and many times have desisted from the very thing that caused them to be removed from the congregation.
  For example, many begun to have sex relations before getting married but later married. They are no longer practicing fornication. Jesus said, "go and practice sin no more."
  If Jesus can forgive us of our sins it is no ones business to hold anything against us.

  Pureheart
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  Farkel

  : How are disfellowshipped people treated when they die?

  The same way they were treated when they were alive: like they were dead.

  You are right that death is the penalty for sin, but then the WTS leaders always ignore what the Bible actually says when it is counter to their own selfish purposes. This is particularly true if words in the Bible countermand their iron grip of control on their flock.

  When will people learn that the Bible is only a "stage prop" used by the WTS to promote their own selfish interests. Their religion is not "Bible-based." It's "Watchtower-based."

  Farkel

  "I didn't mean what I meant."
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  Pureheart

  Thankyou for the compliment ashi. Getting one of those on this board is special. You guys are "tough." lol

  Closer2fine, here are some comments made from a KM:

  The hall may be used if the deceased had a clean reputation and was a member of the congregation or the minor child of a member. If the individual had caused public notoriety by unchristian conduct, or if other factors exist that might reflect unfavorably on the congregation, the elders may decide not to allow the use of the hall.
  Ordinarily, Kingdom Halls are not used for funerals of unbelievers. An exception might be made if surviving family members are actively associated as baptized publishers, the deceased was known by a fair number in the congregation to have had a favorable attitude toward the truth and a good reputation for upright conduct in the community, and no worldly customs are incorporated into the program.

  Pureheart
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  Englishman

  Well, I absolutely insist that my remains are not brought within 500 yards of a Kingdom Hall!

  Anyway, my ashes are going to be spread in the goal mouth at the Fratton End.

  Englishman.

  Bring on the dancing girls!
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  waiting

  Howdy Pureheart,

  Thankyou for the compliment ashi. Getting one of those on this board is special.

  Naaaaaaaaaaaa. Next to impossible, perhaps. But not special.

  You guys are "tough." lol

  "guys'? Must be a yankee.

  Anyway........the way the KM presented the information is the way jw's view funerals down here. In fact, if a member of your family isn't a jw, some brothers were "counciled" about sitting through the funeral talk by some preacher for their dead uncle.

  Could give a bad impression to worldly people, ya know.

  Questions: Can a dead person do any of the things mentioned above? Is it not true that “those who have died have been acquitted of their sin?”

  Very good point. I would think that the average jw response would be "But how would that look to worldy persons if we had a funeral for an obvious sinner in our spiritually clean KH?"

  Looks always win out over heart.

  waiting
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  YoYoMama

  From what I understand, an elder may give a funeral talk for a disfellowshipped person if the family asked him to. I don't think they would use the kingdom hall, but the talk would be given in the funeral home. Actually, many JW funerals are done at the funeral home and not at the kingdom hall. Anyway, each elder would make their own decision if asked to give a funeral talk.