Where in the Bible does the Society base the practice of shunning or groveling back for a long period of time if a person is sorry and wants to return to the church?
1 Cor 5:9-13 In my letter I wrote YOU to quit mixing in company with fornicators, not [meaning] entirely with the fornicators of this world or the greedy persons and extortioners or idolaters. Otherwise, YOU would actually have to get out of the world. 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. For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do YOU not judge those inside, while God judges those outside? "Remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves."
2 John 10-11 " If anyone comes to YOU and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into YOUR homes or say a greeting to him. For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works."
In time he may seek reinstatement in the clean congregation. When elders then meet with him, they will try to determine whether he has repented and left his sinful course. (Matthew 18:18) If that is the case, he may be reinstated, in line with the pattern at 2 Corinthians 2:5-8. –w91 4/15 p.21
2 Cor 2: 5-11"Now if anyone has caused sadness, he has saddened, not me, but all of YOU to an extent—not to be too harsh in what I say. This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary now, YOU should kindly forgive and comfort [him], that somehow such a man may not be swallowed up by his being overly sad. Therefore I exhort YOU to confirm YOUR love for him. For to this end also I write to ascertain the proof of YOU, whether YOU are obedient in all things. Anything YOU kindly forgive anyone, I do too. In fact, as for me, whatever I have kindly forgiven, if I have kindly forgiven anything, it has been for YOUR sakes in Christ's sight; that we may not be overreached by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his designs."
Why can't a brother/sister encourage the person for returning or try to encourage him to keep coming back? Why does he have to be shunned continously until reinstated? Sure a person needs to be punished, but what about forgiveness? Does he still need to be shunned? Sure, the need for caution, in case it happens again, but is the Society so insecure that disfellowshipped/disassociated people will bring down everyone that they can't let anyone talk to them?
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Former friends and relatives might hope that a disfellowshipped one would return; yet out of respect for the command at 1 Corinthians 5:11, they do not associate with an expelled person. They leave it to the appointed shepherds to take the initiative to see if such a one is interested in returning. W91 4/15 p. 22
This particular article was setting up the then ‘new' arrangement of elders approaching df'd ones once a year to ask them if they were interested in ‘coming back'. In line with that that same article states: " It would not be fitting even for elders to take the initiative toward certain expelled ones, such as apostates, who ‘speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.' These are ‘false teachers who are trying to bring in destructive sects and to exploit the congregation with counterfeit words.' (Acts 20:30; 2 Peter 2:1, 3) The Bible also does not provide any basis for searching out disfellowshipped ones who are belligerent or who actively encourage wrongdoing.—2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 John 9-11; Jude 4, 11." –w91 4/15 p.22 Note the warning to the elders not to approach ‘apostates'? The Society is very fearful of any of the faithful coming into contact with any former member of the religion. Please note the following excerpt from the same article:
In recent times there have been cases in which an elder happened to meet a disfellowshipped person. Where appropriate, the shepherd briefly outlined the steps to be taken for reinstatement. Some persons like this repented and were reinstated. Such joyful outcomes indicate that there may be disfellowshipped or disassociated ones who would respond to a merciful approach made by the shepherds. But how might the elders handle this matter? Once a year at most, the body of elders should consider whether there are such persons living in their territory. The elders would focus on those who have been expelled for over a year. According to the circumstances, if it is appropriate, they would assign two elders (hopefully ones familiar with the situation) to visit such an individual. No visit would be made on any who evidence a critical, dangerous attitude or who have made it known that they want no help.—Romans 16:17, 18; 1 Timothy 1:20;
Or is it a fear tactic to keep people from leaving the church? What if a family member decides not to be a Witness for whatever reason, he can't associate with his family (other than immediate family he lives with) anymore because he might bring down his family?
What is involved in disfellowshipping? We find an object lesson in the way a problem was handled in the first century. A Christian in Corinth engaged in immorality with his father's wife and did not repent, so Paul directed that he be expelled from that congregation. This had to be done to protect the cleanness of God's people, for "a little leaven ferments the whole lump." Expelling him would prevent his wickedness from dishonoring both God and His people. The severe discipline of being disfellowshipped might also shock him to his senses and instill in him and the congregation due fear of God.—1 Corinthians 5:1-13; compare Deuteronomy 17:2, 12, 13.w91 4/15 p 15-16
The stated purpose is to ‘protect' the congregation by removing the ‘wicked' one. To shock the disobedient one to ‘his senses.' To instill fear into the congregation just in case they are thinking about doing it.
But my question: where in the Bible does it say that we must shun the disfellowshipped or disassociated?
See 2 John 10-11. That is the Scripture the Society uses to justify the action.
I hope this helps. If you need more info let me know.
-Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it-
