Hello all,
I am not a JW, but trying to just understand them as I have a new friend who is a JW. I apologise up front if I offend anybody through my ignorance.
Firstly could someone explain "disfellowshipped". I read through some sites (particularly those by ex-JW's) who described being disfellowshipped as a horrible experience that is thrust upon them sometimes through no fault of thier own, or vindictiveness of certain eldars and church memebers, or for doing something wrong. I see disfellowshipped as being "kicked out" of the church.
I described this to my friend (we call each other friends even though I am not a JW) who was horrified that I was reading these things (I'll come to that in my next question) and said that being disfellowshipped is an agreement made by the person in question to voluntarily leave the church.
These are two different descriptions! Any comments please?
Next, if someone is disfellowshipped are then referred to by JW's as apostates? Or are apostates ex-Jw's who speak out about JW's?
My fiend was concerned that I was reading apostates' stuff and said that basically it is all lies and should be totally ignored.
I have also read a JW book, it reads like a PR book selling JW's. It has nothing on disfellowship or apostates.
I hope you can give me some information please.