New article - SHUNNING: UNCHRISTIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE

EdenOne

Hello everyone.

After months of neglect, I've resumed writing for my website.

The new article deals with the issue of shunning among the Jehovah's Witnesses.

It attempts to disentangle disfellowshipping from shunning, and demonstrating that shunning is a practice unbecoming of a Christian. I hope you find it interesting the article SHUNNING - UNCHRISTIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE.

It's divided into the following sections:

Introduction
I - Ostracism in the ancient world
II - ostracism, social rejection and psychological torture
III - Shunning amongst the Jehovah's Witnesses
IV - Doctrinal development and scriptural support
V - Authority to discipline through suspension of fellowship
VI - Does disfellowshipping really equals a death sentence?
VII - Did Jesus shun sinners?
VIII - What about Bible passages that apparently support shunning?
In Conclusion

Since this is something that most ex-JW's and faders and active Witnesses care deeply about, I found it beneficial to look at it in more depth.

Your comments and debate are more than welcome.

Eden

ABibleStudent

Hi EdenOne, You did a good job of showing that many religions used/use shunning to coerce members, a brief description of the psychological effects to those shunned, and a brief history of how the WTBTS viewed shunning. I feel that the section about " Doctrinal Development and Scriptural Support" should also include a paragraph (or two) with WTBTS references about when the WTBTS started using closed door JC's to DF JWs instead of letting the congregation decide.

I'm currious why you did not try to seperate DA'ing from shunning also? If shunning DF'ed JWs cannot be supported by the Bible without twisting the scriptures, then shunning DA'ed and/or fading JWs cannot be supported either. If Christians follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, what would Christians learn from reading John 6:60-70? If Jesus did not tell his 12 disciples to shun those disciples that left him, Why would Christian religions promote shunning members who no longer wish to follow the leaders of a religion?

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

EdenOne

Robert,

I would make the distinction between disfellowshipping and dissociation if shunning was warranted in any of those circumstances. But it's not, so I don't make a distinction. Actually, at some point during the article I state that when "disfellowshipping" is mentioned, it also includes those who have disassociated themselves.

Also, you make a good point with your understanding of John 6. I've included that reference in the article (Part 7). Thank you.

Eden

adamah

So Eden, I take it you're not much of a fan of the historical evidence from say, the gnostics, a group of Xians who were killed as heretics by those in orthodox Xianity in the 3rd Cent CE since they didn't accept the power structure of the early Xian Church? Fact is, the many polemics scattered throughout the NT that warned of false teachers were likely aimed at gnostics, who represented only one of the multiple streams of thought found in early Xianity (at least, until the orthodox forces got the permission of the Roman Empire to squelch heterodoxical beliefs by killing heretics).

I'd highly recommend taking off the blinders taught by the JWs of the 'myth of the homogeneous early Xian church' to learn of the REAL history which is found in church documents (and the missing pieces were found in 1945 with the discovery of long-lost gnostic writings); I'd recommend Elaine Pagel's "The Gnostic Gospels" for an introduction to the topic.

Adam

KariOtt

marking

UBM101

Marked. Good one Eden!

EdenOne

Adamah

I'm not sure about the pertinence of your comment, especially given the fact that I clearly make mention of the gnostic docetics as being the targets of John's remarks about the "antichrists". May I ask you if you've read the article?

Just FYI I've read all the apocripha, including the gnostic gospels and apocalipses, the Shepherd of Hermas, etc ... there are excellent websites that contain all those documents plus commentaries and historical background about each one.

Check out www.earlychristianwritings.com

Eden

ABibleStudent

EdenOne - Actually, at some point during the article I state that when "disfellowshipping" is mentioned, it also includes those who have disassociated themselves.

Hi EdenOne, I must have overlooked that clarification about linking disfellowshipping and disassociation. It might help other readers for you to make that statement at the beginning of your article instead of some point during the article.

Since you link disfellowshipping and disassociation in your article, shouldn't you also expand the history of the WTBTS's shunning doctrine up to the 1980's when Freddie Franz was instrumental in changing the WTBTS's doctrine to ostracize Raymond Franz and his wife from other JWs? To me the 1980's doctrine change is important, because it proves to me beyond a shadow of doubt that the WTBTS is a dangerous cult.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

EdenOne

Robert

The article is mostly concerned about the grounds for shunning as presented by the JW's leadership currently and over the years. As I think I was able to demonstrate, such grounds are false. Since shunning is pushed upon all those who leave the congregation, either by disfellowshipping or dissociation, I don't really make much of a distinction, although due warning to the reader is made about that.

Naturally, what drives a disfellowshipping and a dissociation are very different things, one being the result of disciplinary action, the other being a voluntary decision. But the article deals with the outcome of both: Shunning.

The shunning practice became norm under N. Knorr's leadership, although it's well known that it was F.W. Franz who was driving the theology. Nevertheless, the shunning policy pre-dates the ordeal with Raymond Franz by more than two decades.

Eden

jhine

Excellent article EdenOne

Jan

New article - SHUNNING: UNCHRISTIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE

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