There is law that can be applied to being DFed or DA

by Giordano 34 Replies latest jw friends

  • Giordano
    Giordano

    http://church-discipline.blogspot.com/2008/01/marian-guinn-vs-church-of-christ.html

    LiasObessa brought this site to our attention on another related topic. As I began to read I found that the information was excellent and extensive. It is a place to study and learn:

    "This is a blog for people interested in church discipline with a focus on
    the mechanics and the practical impact, not the theology. It is to serve the
    community of people who are subject to church discipline or recovering from it,
    so the discussions here view discipline from a member's not from a pastor's
    perspective."

    "Once a withdraw has
    occurred the first amendment protections don't belong to the church, rather they
    belong to the individual. All religious activity in the United States is
    consensual, a person who publically claims not to be a member of a church is
    legally not a member of that church and church discipline cannot continue
    without consent. A church attempting to discipline a person that has withdrawn
    can be found to be engaging in a form of harassment.

    http://church-discipline.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-leave-church.html

    Here is a sort summary on what to include in a letter of Disassociation:

    Since I have voluntarily resigned from the organization, and are therefore no longer a Jehovah's Witness, I expressly prohibit you from disfellowshipping me or in any way defaming my character before others. If I am disfellowshipped or am slandered in any way, I will have to take legal action against you.

    Or

    I have prayerfully considered the vow I made. Jesus said "My yoke is light." I am casting off the burden I have been under for so many years while under the scrutiny of the man made organization, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. In full faculty I am stating that I am disassociating from that organization. I no longer want to be recognized as a Jehovah's Witness because it does not fill the expectations I was led to believe.
    (1) I do not want my family to be contacted or coerced in any way. (2) At my death I do not wish to be remembered as a Jehovah's Witness. (3) There is no need for prayers or further attempt to reverse my decision. (4) When the Congregation makes an announcement it should be an announcement of disassociation not apostasy

    There is a lot more to read about church Discipline and a DA including how the law protects you.

  • The Searcher
    The Searcher

    All of what you say sounds logical from a normal person's point of view. However, thanks to the Org's legal department and the change in the wording regarding "stoning to death", none of it can have any effect, because whenever someone is "executed" and cut off from family and friends, all that is stated to the congregation is, "John Doe is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". Nothing defamatory, and if the person has D/A'd, it's simply the truth.

    The word "disfellowshipped" is never used from the platform to describe someone who has been booted!

  • blondie
    blondie
  • frankiespeakin
    frankiespeakin

    Good find.

  • frankiespeakin
    frankiespeakin

    And thanks Blondie for the links. I sense the smell of blood and the legal sharks gathering for an eating frenzy on this one and the child molestation issues.

  • lisaBObeesa
    lisaBObeesa

    all that is stated to the congregation is, "John Doe is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". Nothing defamatory, and if the person has D/A'd, it's simply the truth.

    The word "disfellowshipped" is never used from the platform to describe someone who has been booted!

    That is how the WTBTS defends itself.

    Yet, we all know that the announcement DOES defame the individual and the announcement does REQUIRE the congregation to shun the person announced.

    Everyone here and everyone at the KH knows the announcement "so-and-so is no longer a JW" is not 'simply the truth.' That announcment is a code that means the person is an unrepentant sinner and/or evil apostate and that the congregation is required to shun them.

    So the WTBTS uses word games to hide these facts, because if these FACTS were proven, they could and would be SUED.

    They are doing something they can be sued for and they are hiding it in plain sight with a few silly words that they define and re-define depending on the audience.

    This cover-up must be exposed.

  • Rufus T. Firefly
    Rufus T. Firefly

    Sorry, Giordano, but your post is incorrect. If a JW resigns or disassociates, no disciplinary action is taken by the congregation. A simple announcement is made that so-and-so is no longer one of jehovah's witnesses. Family and friends who want to avoid being dis-fellowshipped themselves will necessarily shun the ex-jw. The WTS stands on solid legal ground regarding that, especially since 1985. That is what makes the practice so insidious.

  • lisaBObeesa
    lisaBObeesa

    If a JW resigns or disassociates, no disciplinary action is taken by the congregation. A simple announcement is made that so-and-so is no longer one of jehovah's witnesses. Family and friends who want to avoid being dis-fellowshipped themselves will necessarily shun the ex-jw.

    The shunning that the disasoicated person recieves IS the disciplinary action, and as you noted it is REQUIRED that the congregation shun(discipline). The shunning happens BECAUSE of the announcement.

    No announcement, no shunning.

    disciplinary action=Announcement=congregational shunning.

    The shunning continues until the elders announce the person is reinstated. reinstated=end of discipline=end of shunning.

    The announcement IS the shunning IS the discipline.

    But, by using code words, the WTBTS tries to make it look as if the announcment is nothing.

    The announcement is EVERYTHING.

  • lisaBObeesa
    lisaBObeesa
    The Watchtower (2007)w07 1/15 pp. 17-20

    When Discipline Is Severe

    If your child is unrepentant and is a baptized Christian, he may receive the strongest form of discipline —being disfellowshipped from the congregation .

    The Watchtower says disfellowshipping is 'strongest form of discipline'=disfellowshipping=severe discipline.

    YEt, there is no difference between the announcement to the congregation for a DF or DA persons and there is no difference in the discipline give to DF or DA persons.

    the discipline is congregational shunning.

    Therefore, it is a fact that DA people not only DO recieve congregational discipline, it is the same discipline that the Watchtower itself calls 'severe' and the 'strongest form of discipline' when they talk about it in the context of DF.

    The JWs can (and do) say that DA people don't recieve congregation discipline, but it is an undeniable fact that they do.

    THe fact that they lie about this does not mean they are on sound legal ground. I would submit it means the opposite.

  • clarity
    clarity

    Oh yeah...that announcement is the 'starting gun' that sets off

    years of extreme pain, hardship & sickening lonliness!

    clarity

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