Why is the issue of shunning a problem? If the
bible was very clear about who should be shunned and how this should be done,
would that be more acceptable to you? Human society has always shunned
people that do not conform to the rules. If you commit a crime, you may be
punished by being sent to jail and excluded from society until you 'repent' by
changing your attitude. Who determines these rules? In many lands, adultery and
homosexuality are still punishable by death or jail. It is up to each group of people
to decide the rules and the consequences for breaking them. Wasn't the great
schism of the Catholic church an act of shunning?
Firstly, Paul did not disfellowship those that
criticized him, i.e., the so-called “superfine apostles.” Read 2 Cor. 13:10 to
see what he had in mind. Interestingly, Paul asked whether some of them had started
ruling prematurely (cf. 1 Cor. 4:8)? Secondly, the GB claims to be “the
faithful and discreet slave.” Would you say “judgment” is part of the
commission of “the faithful and discreet slave”? By the way, is God not the
ultimate judge, and did he not defer judgement to the Son (Acts 17:31)?
Allow me
to list the main scriptures the GB of JWs apply to judge, condemn and disfellowship
individuals. Judge for yourself whether these are applied correctly. Note the one in 2 John deals with the antichrist. How many of those do you know?
15
Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and
him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he does not listen, take
along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three
witnesses every matter may be established.
17 If
he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen
even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as
a tax collector. (Mat 18:15-17 NWT)
9 In my
letter I wrote YOU to quit mixing in company with fornicators,
10 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.
11 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.
(1 Cor 5:9-11 NWT)
7 For
many deceivers have gone forth into the world, persons not confessing Jesus
Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 Look out for yourselves, that YOU
do not lose the things we have worked to produce, but that YOU may obtain a
full reward.
9 Everyone that pushes ahead and
does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God. He that does
remain in this teaching is the one that has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to YOU and does
not bring this teaching, never receive him into YOUR homes or say a greeting to
him.
11 For
he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works. (2 John 1:7-11
NWT)
9 I wrote
something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who likes to have the first
place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect.
10 That is why, if I come, I will
call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with
wicked words. Also, not being content with these things, neither does he
himself receive the brothers with respect, and those who are wanting to receive
them he tries to hinder and to throw out of the congregation.
11 Beloved one, be an imitator, not
of what is bad, but of what is good. He that does good originates with God. He
that does bad has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has had witness borne
to him by them all and by the truth itself. In fact, we, also, are bearing
witness, and you know that the witness we give is true.
(3 John 1:9-12 NWT)
