The only reasons I can remember are smoking, sexual immorality and of course, apostasy. There must be others but having been out since 1990, i'm drawing a blank. I was thinking perhaps serious criminal offenses that result in prison, but then I remembered a brother in my congregation in the 1980's who went to prison. There were rumors that he was abusive, but one evening he severely beat his wife. I mean shattered facial bones, teeth knocked out, broken arm. She was unconscious for days in the hospital. He went to prison for something like a decade if I remember correctly.
He was not disfellowshipped.
I remember when it was announced that someone was disfellowshipped, my first thought was always "I wonder who they were getting it on with?"
I believe there was probably a surge of DF's in the 70's targeting smokers who couldn't kick the habit, but by the late 80's I don't think that was a big issue. They'd all been weeded out.
Can someone remind me the reason's you could be disfellowshipped?
by SydBarrett 14 Replies latest jw friends
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SydBarrett
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aqwsed12345
The reasons one can be disfellowshipped (now officially referred to as being “removed from the congregation”) as a Jehovah’s Witness are far broader and more invasive than just smoking, sexual immorality, or apostasy. The judicial system within the organization is secretive, punitive, and often arbitrary. Below is a categorized list based on the organization’s own literature and internal elder manuals, highlighting just how extensive and oppressive the rules are.
Moral and Sexual Conduct
- Fornication (any sex outside of marriage)
- Adultery (even remarriage without “scriptural” divorce)
- Homosexual activity
- Oral or anal sex (even within marriage)
- Cybersex / phone sex
- Pornography use (especially "hardcore")
- Incest or bestiality
- Dating while not “scripturally free” to remarry
Spiritual "Crimes"
- Apostasy (disagreeing with Watchtower teachings—even privately)
- Celebrating birthdays or holidays (including Christmas, Easter, etc.)
- Accepting a blood transfusion
- Spiritism / occultism / hypnosis
- Idolatry (e.g., bowing before religious statues)
- Interfaith activities (including entering churches)
- Praying or singing hymns in another religion
Social Infractions and Attitudes
- Association with disfellowshipped individuals (even family)
- Publicly criticizing a disfellowshipping decision
- Gambling
- Drunkenness
- Gluttony
- Greed or extortion
- Laziness, dirtiness, or being "meddlesome"
- Verbally abusive behavior
- Brazen conduct (disrespectful attitude toward WT rules)
- Lying
Medical / Ethical Violations
- Blood transfusions (even if life-saving)
- Working in an abortion clinic, selling cigarettes, etc.
- Performing abortions or supporting someone who does
- Refusal to provide for family members
- Professional boxing (because it’s considered violent)
Political and National “Disloyalties”
- Voting in political elections
- Joining the military or government service
- Political activism or nationalistic behavior
- Subversive or antigovernment activity
Criminal Behavior
- Theft
- Fraud
- Physical assault (if persistent and unrepentant)
- Child sexual abuse (though often mishandled internally)
- Murder or manslaughter
Disassociation (Self-Removal) Triggers Shunning Too
You don’t even have to commit any of the above. You can be shunned for:
- Formally resigning from the religion.
- Associating with another church or faith.
- Taking a blood transfusion, even once.
- Joining the military or police.
Even Employment Can Get You Shunned
You can be disfellowshipped for working at:
- A church (even as a janitor)
- A military base
- A hospital that performs abortions
- A store that sells tobacco or lottery tickets
The System Is Secretive and Harsh
- Judicial hearings are held in secret with no recordings, no observers, and the committee serves as judge, jury, and executioner.
- A person can be disfellowshipped for persisting in a private belief that differs from the Watchtower's doctrine—even if they never speak about it.
- Failure to report someone else’s “serious sin” can also lead to punishment.
What About Domestic Violence?
As you noted: No, beating your wife won’t automatically get you disfellowshipped. If you deny the allegations or claim repentance, many elders may give only “reproof.” The organization has been repeatedly criticized for turning a blind eye to abuse—unless it meets their internal "two-witness rule."
Final Thoughts
The Jehovah’s Witness judicial system is not about justice or spiritual restoration—it’s about control, fear, and conformity. Many have been shunned, isolated, and psychologically harmed for infractions as minor as celebrating a birthday or holding a different opinion. Disfellowshipping isn't about sin—it's about disobedience to the organization.
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Balaamsass2
ANYTHING three window washers agree on....especially if they don't like you.
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Vanderhoven7
Don't forget the real big sins like celebrating holidays, your children's birthdays and worst of all celebrating Christmas.
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iloowy.goowy
You can get DF'ed for "Brazen conduct" and what exactly that is just ask Jim Rizoli. His video below explains very clearly what happens in the back rooms with the elders.
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stan livedeath
farting out loud during the closing prayer
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AnnaNana
You can get disfellowshipped for telling the truth.
They call it "reviling and causing divisions." That's what I was disfellowshipped for. I sent some emails to people in my KH telling the truth about a dangerous situation because they were my friends and I thought they had a right to know so they could protect themselves and their kids.
You can also get disfellowshipped for being nice to people. One of my friends in a congregation several states away was disfellowshipped for talking to me every few weeks via email after I was disfellowshipped. The local COBE elder here found out because of a group email that my friend's mom sent (she is Catholic, not a JW) but since my friend is related to her, he got disfellowshipped for not repenting of being nice to me.
Where I live, there are people who do spiritism, fornication, adultery, drunkenness, drug abuse, lying, stealing, child sex abuse, blasphemy, and all kinds of things that are supposedly on the "list" for getting disfellowshipped in the JW ORG, and yet they aren't disfellowshipped. Typically they're protected or promoted.
The Watchtower org is not "Jehovah's witnesses" - it's a satanic organization specifically designed to fool people and blaspheme God's name.
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Balaamsass2
It really does depend on your connections, popularity, and ability to lie.
I have seen family members of popular elders get away with everything...and anything, serial theft, serial fraud, and serial fornication..
Bluntly honest or cranky single sisters get disfellowshiped for minor infractions.
I have seen serial child molesters skate and appointed elders and giving convention parts in 3 years. Twice in my area. A murderer once. Never underestimate the power of ass kissing and green handshakes. Nothing spirit-directed or godly about the Borg.
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FedUpJW
As said earlier, you can be disfellowshipped for ANYTHING three elduhs can agree on; and if they don't have a specific charge they will lump in in under the "brazen conduct" term and boot your ass out.
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NotFormer
Just curious about all this. From what I've read on here, what sort of congregation you have very much depends on what sort of BOE you have.
There are reports of Bodies of Elders who are very judiciously active and will disfellowship at the drop of a hat.
Are there more laidback versions, somewhat chill, who'd rather not be burdened by the paperwork that comes with being overzealous on disfellowshipment?