Why the term "disfellowshipped " was removed

by raymond frantz 11 Replies latest jw experiences

  • raymond frantz
  • Beth Sarim
    Beth Sarim

    "Disfellowshipped" was probably only was removed for "legal reasons"" of course,,as usual.

    But,, those who are "removed from the congregations" are treated the same way as disassociated. With the same result of full on shunning to ensue.

    But yeah,,"disfellowshipping" was removed for legal reasons. In light of the Norway developments & because of legal ramifications,,,as always.

  • blondie
    blondie

    DF replaced with "remove." Just semantics, results just the same in experience. Of course, jws are not being held personally accountable for avoiding such jws, not the WTS, it's a conscience matter (right!)

  • Beth Sarim
    Beth Sarim

    Conscience matter? LoL right.

    And,,

    ""We treat people how they would want to be treated."" LoL,,right again. ROFL 🤣🤣

  • Vanderhoven7
    Vanderhoven7

    Now they can say ... no we don't disfellowship people and we don't have judicial committees either.

    A rose by any other name...

  • blondie
    blondie

    A rose by any other name..would stink as well

  • KerryKing
    KerryKing

    Dictionary defines remove as moving something or someone away from where it was. Doesn't sound voluntary to me, actually sounds worse than disfellowshipping.

  • Vidiot
    Vidiot

    “Removed” sounds like the new secret word on Putin’s Playhouse.

  • Listener
    Listener

    I'm surprised they haven't changed their 'About Us' on 'Do Jehovah's Witnesses shun those who used to belong to their religion?' It's found on JW.org, not in any publications.

    It still uses the term 'shun' and disfellowshipped. They have made changes to this a number of times in the past.

    It currently reads as -

    Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?

    Those who were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses but no longer preach to others, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned. In fact, we reach out to them and try to rekindle their spiritual interest.

    We do not automatically disfellowship someone who commits a serious sin. If, however, a baptized Witness makes a practice of breaking the Bible’s moral code and does not repent, he or she will be shunned or disfellowshipped. The Bible clearly states: “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 religious ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings continue. Disfellowshipped individuals may attend our religious services. If they wish, they may also receive spiritual counsel from congregation elders. The goal is to help each individual once more to qualify to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
    Disfellowshipped people who reject improper conduct and demonstrate a sincere desire to live by the Bible’s standards are always welcome to become Jehovah’s Witnesses again.
  • Jeffro
    Jeffro

    Enjoy Life Forever has been updated to remove references to 'disfellowshipping'. Notably, the link to the video about 'Sonja' has been removed. And it's funny that "some people" have supposedly already been saying they're worried they'll be "removed from the congregation" rather than "disfellowshipped". 🙄

    Old (removed text in bold)
    New (added text in bold)
    Page 237:

    They may limit our participation in certain Christian activities for a while until we are spiritually healthy. To protect the congregation from harmful influences, the elders disfellowship any who commit serious sins and are unrepentant.

    To protect the congregation from harmful influences, the elders remove from the congregation any who commit serious sins and are unrepentant.
    Page 239:

    4. How disfellowshipping helps

    If a person who has committed a serious sin refuses to follow Jehovah’s standards, he can no longer be part of the congregation. He is disfellowshipped, and we do not associate with him or even speak with him. Read 1 Corinthians 5:6, 11 and 2 John 9-11, and then discuss this question:

    Ë™ Just as leaven ferments bread dough, how would associating with an unrepentant sinner affect the congregation?

    Many who have been disfellowshipped have later returned to the congregation because the discipline, although painful, brought them to their senses. (Psalm 141:5) Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.

    VIDEO: Loyally Uphold Jehovah’s Judgments (9:28)

    Ë™ In this dramatization, how did being disfellowshipped help Sonja?

    How does the disfellowshipping arrangement . . .

    ˙ honor Jehovah’s name?

    Ë™ show that Jehovah is reasonable and loving?

    SOME PEOPLE SAY: “I’m afraid that if I tell the elders about my sin, I’ll get disfellowshipped.”

    Ë™ What would you say to someone who feels that way?

    4. Jehovah shows mercy to sinners

    If a person who has committed a serious sin refuses to follow Jehovah’s standards, he is removed from the congregation, and we do not socialize with him. Read 1 Corinthians 5:6, 11, and then discuss this question:

    Ë™ Just as leaven ferments bread dough, how would socializing with an unrepentant sinner affect the congregation?

    In imitation of Jehovah’s mercy toward imperfect sinners, elders reach out and help those who have been removed from the congregation. Many have returned to the congregation because the discipline, although painful, brought them to their senses.—Psalm 141:5.

    How does the way Jehovah deals with sinners show that he is reasonable, merciful, and loving?

    SOME PEOPLE SAY: “I’m afraid that if I tell the elders about my sin, they will remove me from the congregation.”

    Ë™ What would you say to someone who feels that way?

    Page 240:

    How can the disfellowshipping arrangement benefit everyone involved?

    “Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Provision” (The Watchtower, April 15, 2015)

    Learn how you can explain the disfellowshipping arrangement to a non-Witness.

    “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?” (Web article)

    How do the elders try to help those who commit a serious sin?

    “Responding to Sin With Love and Mercy” (The Watchtower, August 2024)

    Consider how love and mercy are shown toward unrepentant sinners.

    “Help for Those Who Are Removed From the Congregation” (The Watchtower, August 2024)

    Page 241:
    What if someone we know has decided that he no longer wants to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? It can be heartbreaking when someone close to us does this. That person may force us to choose between him and Jehovah. We must be determined to remain loyal to God above all else. (Matthew 10:37) So we obey Jehovah’s command not to associate with such individuals.—Read 1 Corinthians 5:11.[Deleted]
    Page 244:

    To remain loyal to Jehovah, we need to avoid associating with those who are disloyal to him. We also need to separate ourselves completely from false religion.

    Review

    Ë™ Why should we not watch, read, or listen to the ideas of apostates?

    ˙ How should we treat those who no longer want to be Jehovah’s Witnesses?

    Ë™ How can we heed the warning to flee from false religion?

    To remain loyal to Jehovah, we need to avoid associating with those who try to mislead us.

    Review

    Ë™ Why should we not listen to the ideas of apostates?

    Ë™ If we learn that a brother has sinned seriously, what should we do?

    Ë™ How can we heed the warning to flee from false religion?

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