Is it legal for the WT to Disassociate someone?

by confusedjw 38 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  confusedjw

  Since it is well defined that when the WT kicks you out you are Disfellowshipped - there action

  and that when you want to leave you Disassociate - your action

  How is it that the WT can DA you? Obviously they do this when someone joins the military to prevent getting into trouble with the gov't, but I've read where they have DA'd some for being critical in public - e.g. going on TV

  I think if they were to DA me, saying that by my actions I've DA's myself - I would sue. Only I can say what my actions are to mean not them. On that reasoning anyone who committs any sin can then be said to have DA'd themselves.

  Thoughts?
• 

  under74

  mmm....um, all I know is the people that I've known to be DAd (mom included) all DAd themselves. I thought the majority of DAs were by choice.....I guess I'm unsure about how it happens otherwise...
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  Elsewhere

  I guess I'm unsure about how it happens otherwise...

  The WTS says that a person can "DA him/her-self through his/her actions", such as participating in Christmas or accepting blood products.
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  roybatty

  IMO - from the WT's point of view, I would think they would want the elders to conclude that an individual Da'd themselves instead of Df'ing as much as possible. This way, if the individual decided to sue the WT, the Society could make the argument that the person left the WT not that they were kicked out. If someone is Da'd for voting or joining the YMCA, a jury will believe it's a stupid rule but they will realize that a JW who does either is breaking the WT rules and the WT has the right to kickout any who break their rules. On the other hand, it was interesting to see the court battle between the Boy Scouts and it's fight to keep out gay scout leaders.

  Personally, I'd be scared if a jury / court can punish a private orginzation for enforcing it's own rules.
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  under74

  no, I get that but as to confusedjw's question--
  
  

  How is it that the WT can DA you?

  
  
  
  ......maybe I' not understanding the question...
• 

  confusedjw

  Well I guess to clarify: Could I say that my wife has divorced me by her actions if she has an affair? Or do I need to get a divorce? Should she be able to say that she is sorry and wants to say married?

  If the WT DA's someone for taking blood doesn't that preclude the opportunity for the person to be repentent? Why do they us DA for that rather than DF?

  Of course they could have the right to kick someone out - but they really shouldn't have the right to say that I "quit" when I didn't.

  Does this make sense?
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  under74

  Well I guess I'm confused. I thought the WTS had the power to DF and somewhat "mark" a person but I guess I thought that DAing was self-imposed (the society had no choice in the matter).
  
  I could be totally wrong. I guess this was just my understanding.
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  Honesty

  According to the WTBTS's own rules they DA'd themselves by getting a 'library pass' from the UN which was really just an excuse that they are using to justify their participation as an NGO to open up the vast Eastern European area in order to sell place literature and loan $ for new KHs.

  I DA'd from them instead of submitting to a kangaroo court composed of window washers and construction workers to answer the charges of sedition and dissension among the ranks for exposing their lies.
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  confusedjw

  Under74

  If you were to join the military as an active JW they would DA you rather than DF you. But yes, what you are thinking is the same as me: How can THEY decide that YOU have DA'd yourself without ever meeting with you? How can THEY DA you by simply observing YOUR actions?

  But they do do it.

  So it seems that if they feel like meeting with you then they will DF you, but if they don't they can just DA you.

  I wonder if it's actually legal to do this?
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  under74

  OH, okay I understand what you're saying now.
  
  
  I would guess that as far a s WTS standards go, it's legal. As far as U.S. justice standards go...it's probably legal. I mean, it would be the same as the Boy Scouts not letting homosexuals in. They can pick and choose their members (or state that they do). And if something were to come up with a case involving JW family members shunning another...well, I'm sure the WTS would have it's ass covered in some way.