Can someone please direct me to the Society's own comments regarding NOT shunning disfellowshipped ones. I looked for this through their website as well as through this one and I can't seem to locate it. Could anyone help???
Disfellowshipping as Viewed by the Watchtower Society
by minimus 9 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
izobcenec
well it was here just few days ago, but they obviously changed it recently...
http://www.jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm
Do you shun former members?
Those who become inactive in the congregation, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned. In fact, special effort is made to reach out to them and rekindle their spiritual interest. If, however, someone unrepentantly practices serious sins, such as drunkeness, stealing or adultery, he will be disfellowshipped and such an individual is avoided by former fellow-worshipers. Every effort is made to help wrongdoers. But if they are unrepentant, the congregation needs to be protected from their influence. The Bible clearly states: 'Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.' (1 Corinthians 5:13) Those who formally say they do not want to be part of the organization any more are also avoided. What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah's Witnesses? The spiritual ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings can continue. As for disfellowshipped relatives not living in the same household, Jehovah's Witnesses apply the Bible's counsel: "Quit mixing with them." (1 Corinthians 5:11) Disfellowshipped individuals may continue to attend religious services and, if they wish, they may receive spiritual counsel from the elders with a view to their being restored. They are always welcome to return to the faith if they reject the improper course of conduct for which they were disfellowshipped.
-
minimus
Perhaps, I am mistaken, but I thought something was said about disfellowshipped ones are not shunned or something to that effect.
-
izobcenec
It was said that "those who simply leave the faith are not shunned", but that is history now, they changed it recently, i haven't even noticed :) probably they were getting a lot of questions about that quote...
-
minimus
That was it! I told my brother and his wife about that this evening but couldn't locate it on the site. I wonder if this is forever gone.
-
Oroborus21
Here's a tip for all you Net users out there. Sometimes you can find older versions of websites by going to the Wayback Machine at www.archive.org
I have found it very useful.
--Eduardo
-
Gerard
http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/DF_DA.htm
*** Official Jehovah's Witnesses Media Relations Web Site, March 18, 2002 ***
[http://www.jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm]Do you shun former members?
Those who simply cease to be involved in the faith are not shunned. In compliance with the Scriptures, however, members can be expelled for serious unchristian conduct, such as stealing, drunkenness, or adultery, if they do not repent and cease such actions. Disfellowshipping does not sever family ties. Disfellowshipped members may continue to attend religious services, and if they wish, they may receive pastoral visits. They are always welcome to return to the faith.—1 Corinthians 5:11-13.
*** Official Jehovah's Witnesses Media Relations Web Site, July 20, 2002 ***
[http://www.jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm]Do you shun former members?
Those who simply leave the faith are not shunned. If, however, someone unrepentantly practices serious sins, such as drunkenness, stealing, or adultery, he will be disfellowshipped and such an individual is avoided by former fellow-worshipers. Every effort is made to help wrongdoers. But if they are unrepentant, the congregation needs to be protected from their influence. The Bible clearly directs: "Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." (1 Corinthians 5:13) What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah's Witnesses? The spiritual ties he had with his family changes, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings can continue. As for disfellowshipped relatives not living in the same household, Jehovah's Witnesses apply the Bible's counsel: "Quit mixing with them." (1 Corinthians 5:11) Disfellowshipped individuals may continue to attend religious services and, if they wish, they may receive spiritual counsel from the elders with a view to their being restored. They are always welcome to return to the faith if they reject the improper course of conduct for which they were disfellowshipped.
*** Watchtower 1998 December 1 p.17 Defending Our Faith ***
What About Slanderous Publicity?
15 At times, Jehovah's Witnesses have been the target of distorted information in the media . For example, on August 1, 1997, a Russian newspaper published a slanderous article claiming, among other things, that Witnesses categorically require members to 'reject their wives, husbands, and parents if these do not understand and do not share their faith.' Anyone who is truly acquainted with Jehovah's Witnesses knows that the charge is false. The Bible indicates that Christians are to treat unbelieving family members with love and respect, and Witnesses endeavor to follow that direction. (1 Corinthians 7:12-16; 1 Peter 3:1-4) Even so, the article was printed, and many readers were thus misinformed. How can we defend our faith when we are falsely accused?*** Watchtower April 1, 1920, pp.100, 101 ***
[Note: not available on 1993/1995/1999 CD-ROM]We would not refuse to treat one as a brother because he did not believe the Society is the Lord's channel. If others see it in a different way, that is their privilege. There should be full liberty of conscience.
-
integ
The society is doing this now for fear of mass exodus. People JUST CAN'T LEAVE.....They now have to put in the added fear of being treated as a df'd one if you decide it's just not for you anymore. Before, you could leave and still keep your family(if there were no serious sins involved, or if they were'nt able to make up any to pin on you)...Maybe too many people took 'em up on this loophole, with all the negative press and what not. Heck, they have to do SOMETHING. Believe me folks, there's gonna be a lot more where this came from.
Integ.
-
freedom96
The WTS words make it out to be no big deal. They don't discuss the breakup of families and friends over this un- Christ-like practice.
-
minimus
Thanx Gerard for that information. And yes, they do make it sounds as if it's no big deal!