WT August 1, 1974 pp. 467-468 Maintaining a Balanced Viewpoint Toward Disfellowshiped Ones
5 It is right to hate the wrong committed by the disfellowshiped one, but it is not right to hate the person nor is it right to treat such ones in an inhumane way.Suppose, then, a member of a Christian congregation boating on a lake were to see another boat containing a disfellowshiped person capsize, throwing the disfellowshiped one into the water where he struggled to stay afloat. Could the Christian ignore that one’s peril, row away and feel free from guilt before God—inasmuch as the one in danger of drowning was disfellowshiped, viewed as “a man of the nations”?Certainly not. That would be cruel and inhumane. We cannot imagine Christ Jesus doing so; nor would any other Jew of the first century who had a balanced viewpoint have reacted that way toward a Gentile or a tax collector in such a plight.
6 But consider a less extreme situation. What if a woman who had been disfellowshiped were to attend a congregational meeting and upon leaving the hall found that her car, parked nearby, had developed a flat tire? Should the male members of the congregation, seeing her plight, refuse to aid her, perhaps leaving it up to some worldly person to come along and do so? This too would be needlessly unkind and inhumane.
Yet situations just like this have developed, perhaps in all good conscience, yet due to a lack of balance in viewpoint.
7 If we imitate our heavenly Father we will remember that he even showed certain considerateness toward the first human pair after their disfellowshipping in Eden, providing them with clothing. (Gen. 3:21) This was an undeserved kindness toward them. As Jesus reminded his disciples, Jehovah God “makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45) So, not “mixing in company” with a person, or treating such one as “a man of the nations,” does not prevent us from being decent, courteous, considerate and humane.
I always found this study article to be disturbing and shameful. Things are really bad when the F&DS feel it necessary, to actually have to tell their followers to do the right thing in a life-saving emergency. Also to be a gentleman and help a woman in need!
Why do we even have to clarify or ask such embarrassing questions in a WT study? Do we really need to obtain permission to save a disfellowshiped human being (either real or hypothetical) from drowning? Can’t a JW decide on their own what is morally and ethically right? This is a symptom of organizational dysfunction, a sign you see whenever people aren't allowed to think for themselves. For that reason no one does anything, since they are so afraid of garnering disapproval and condemnation from others.
They have become so micromanaged and told what and how to do every little thing. As a result they are now too irresponsible to make a common sense decision.
On the other hand, if this individual was a Catholic nun drowning, or a Muslim person with a flat tire, they would be tripping all over themselves to help them out. Afterwards, they would commend one another and brag about how they gave such a good witness, showing true Christian love!!
...OUTLAW