The Loving Provision Of Disfellowshipping. (page 2)

FairMind

I also don’t have a problem with disfellowshipping when it is done for the right reason. Someone who is living an immoral, criminal or otherwise unchristian life should be put out of the congregation. What I have a problem with is that disfellowshipping or the threat of disfellowshipping is used as a CLUB to enforce obedience to the WTS’ rules and to silence people. The WTS is sly in the way they apply scriptures to mean something they were never intended to mean.

Dustin

I "lovingly" DA'd myself. Everything about that whole cult just makes me sick and angry at the same time. It's amazing how skewed your perspective on life is when you follow their prime directives. I can't believe my parents can't see through the BS, they lovingly shun me. But I guess whatever makes them happy.

ButterflyCharmer

When a family member is disfellowshipped, Christian relatives experience pain. Appointed elders should therefore do their best to be spiritually refreshing to them. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) Elders can pray for them and with them. Often it is possible to visit these faithful Christians to discuss upbuilding Scriptural thoughts. Shepherds of the flock should use every opportunity to strengthen these dear ones spiritually before and after Christian meetings. Additional encouragement can be given by accompanying them in the field ministry. (Romans 1:11, 12) Spiritual shepherds need to show these faithful servants of Jehovah the love and attention they deserve.—1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8.

Show that your disfellowshipped family member is wrong and evil, and one's in the congregation are loving and good, and in fact can take the
place of your family. If this doesnt say 'Cult', i dont know what does.

BC

stillajwexelder

Yes the disfellowshipping/reinstatement policy was what pushed me over the edge and started me posting on this board - so unlooving and unscriptural

Fleur

Well...it "lovingly" assured two things in my life:

1. That I don't ever want to get reinstated so I can show similiar "love" to others

2. That I will do everything in my power to assure my child doesn't become assimiliated into that kind of "love" herself.

Yes, df'ing is very effective in that manner.

~Essie

daystar

I was never df'd (was never baptised) and I really don't know if I was publicly da'd or not. After 16 years in "the truth", the elders simply gave me two options: repent, or stop coming to the meetings (their words). No "loving kindness". No "tender concern". No "counselling". Just hard words and ultimatums. Having been raised as a Witness, at 18 years old, having been severely sheltered my entire life due to the WTS teachings, I was a child socially. I had no idea what to do.

But I was so dismayed by the Elders' utter lack of any sort of "kindness" and "understanding", the reality of the situation hit me like an anvil. I knew at that point that whatever happened after, I was not to remain a Witness. At the time, I only hoped that Jehovah was still with me. I knew in my "heart of hearts" that I didn't deserve the treament I'd been given. I knew that I had not been treated with any manner of love or personal concern for my well-being.

I was right.

In regards to the second to last paragraph in this article, it looks good on paper. But in practice, it never happens. If a person is df'd or da'd, their family becomes a pariah. I'd seen it many, many times before I stopped attending meetings. And I see it to this day.

In light of that, and for many, many other reasons, I firmly believe that the WTBTS, the WTS, et al are corrupt and quite nearly evil. "Loving kindness" is only reserved for the WTS, but never for individuals in the congregation. Individuals are treated coldly, hardheartedly, and harshly. Only when there is benefit to be had by other persons in the congregation do they make an effort to comfort. Either they tack it onto their Service Report, or do it to make a show of their righteousness. It's true in so many cases. I swear it is.

Were I to have read this when I was still a young, active Witness, I would believe that they are all lies by some Apostate who is vehemently opposed to Jehovah and His Organization. It's all paranoia. Most ex-JWs are just looking for some place, some people, to help ease the pain caused by a very Indiscreet religion.

If those elders had shown me even a little compassion, I quite possibly may have turned myself back to the "Truth". Heck, I might have stayed.

With that said, I want to express my deepest thanks for those two elders showing me the true heart of the Society back then and allowing for my escape into a world where I have found more love, kindness, caring and understanding than I ever did as a Witness. I thank Jehovah for testing me and finding me worthy!

PaNiCAtTaCk

Disfellowshipping falls right in with the LOVING provision of stoning under the Mosaic law. Especially when the parent get to throw the first stone.

xjwms

AAHHHH The Love.

Can you feel it yet???

We will through you away, ... There you go, ... Duzzz n it give you a warm goooiiee feel'in ?

DannyBloem

Danny I think the whole procedure and outcome are terribly ABNORMAL..

It starts out with a SECRET meeting where 3 MEN "no women allowed" uneducated in any form of law enforcement confront a single individual who can not bring another person into this investigation, which itself has no protective aspects for the accused.
Two witnesses required and ancient tribal laws are enforced.
The phoney "APPEAL ARRANGEMENT " will only accept REPENTANCE as a cause for over turning the original sentence.
The whole procedure is a laughable attempt at playing to be a government in their own rights.

Outoftheorg, I agree with you. What I said is that it is just understandable that a religion has some thing to disfellowship people not following some rules etc. How they do it, and the concequences, is another matter.
I mean like if you did something wrong: you are not allowed FS or even talks at the TS, I could understand.
The shunning, especially from family is horrible.

Danny

greendawn

They are far too trigger happy when it comes to disfellowshipping let's not forget the real intention is to use it to expel dissenters so as not to allow them to carry on exposing damaging info and ideas about the GB.

As for the other disfel reasons they are mostly unnecessary the "sinners" should have been treated with love and not expelled, unless what they did was really damaging to other people, can't expel memebers for smoking cigarettes, celebrating birthdays and christmas, visiting other churches, accepting blood etc etc

The Loving Provision Of Disfellowshipping.

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