Posts by JW_Researcher

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

TheListener wrote:

I think there are just too many variables to know if shunning changes the course of the one shunned.

Agreed. It is clearly a "case by case" impact. That's why a qualitative approach is useful in analyzing shunning. It would be great to have some quantitative data (X number were shunned and Y number returned, etc.).

One impact seems to be the driving of individuals underground and into double lives. As you say, the fear is a driver in whatever the impact.

Thank you for your observations.

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

donny wrote:

I also observed a certain amount of glee or "vengeance" when someone was DF'd
I also saw some of that glee as well. After a disfellowshipping or disaasociation notice was read, folks would gather afte rthe meeting to surmise what was the reason. I rememeber one "sister" in particular whoes eyes litterally poked more out of her head than normal as she tried to ascertain the cause. I often wonder what folks guessed about me when my DA announcement was made.

I think I know that sister.

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

Thank you, peace

However, if you stick it out over time you can create a new life for yourself. I think some people dont give it enough time or put enough work into rebuilding their lives

Good advice for any who are facing shunning.

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

DaCheech wrote

read this story that got me tearing 4 years ago. http://www.exjws.net/pioneers/perez.htm

these elders were being vengeful to him

Thank you for the link and the anecdote about the DFing being used to channel animus toward the DF'd JW.

Clearly, DFing (and shunning) is not always about "keeping the congregation clean."

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

Thanks yknot.

For many the DFing effect only causes them to live double lives

I've seen this as well. I guess, in an odd way, it shows that the fear of DFing is present but may not be enough.

Most folks who rob banks do not think they'll be caught (at least I think that is what they think) so the possible prison sentence would have limited value as a deterrent.

It's kinda' like door locks...they keep out the "honest" people but not true burglars.

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

burningbridges wrote

The one case I know of whwer shunniog worked, the lady had no other fmaily and no other firends and was a social outcast of sorts, SHe had a real hard time making new frends and was only lonlier then. So in her case, she had no one and reterned. I think shunning is ridiculous. I think it only works if you have no one wlse on the outside, if all your family is in the "truth"

That seems to be the concensus so far, at least of the few who have weighed in.

Since many JWs are in the situation you describe (family in, few friends and support outside of the organization) maybe it does keep folks in line.

Thank you for your observations.

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

Loosie wrote

In my opinion shunning only works if you have no friends or family out in the normal world. If eveyone you know won't talk to you then it can be very hard staying out.

So do you think that folks who are in that position (no other family or friends outside) are less likely to engage in wrong-doing or more likely to be "repentant" (according to JWs)?

In other words, kinda' like Lady Zombie observed above, the more they have to "lose," the better shunning works?

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

HSS1971 wrote

<snip> ....they would call the df'd person a "fool" or a "knuckle-head" or a "dog". I've even heard one elder call a df'd person a "jackass". Outside the hall they are free to act worldy I guess...<snip>

I also observed a certain amount of glee or "vengeance" when someone was DF'd...."She won't get back in so easily this time." Perhaps if they had problems with the one DF'd now they could be totally open about it.

Thank you for the observation.

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

It has been my observations that the efficacy is directly correlated to the amount of emotional investment an individual has, the degree of hardship the DFing will have on the individual, and how much they're isolated from general society.
The ones who were DF'd that came back usually had a majority of family who were JW, or lost a job (they were working for a JW), and didn't have an outside ("worldly" friends/family) support system.
It's emotional and psychological blackmail.

Thank you Lady Zombie for your post. It seems on the money to me.

34

The Efficacy of JWs Shunning (Your experiences and analysis)

by JW_Researcher in

im doing a bit of research for an academic paper on shunning and am interested in your response to any or all of these questions.. please think back to when you were a jw (if necessary) or to other jws you knew.. 1) does shunning work?

(for example, does it bring sinners to their senses?

does it keep the congregation clean?

JW_Researcher

Thank you, Carla.

I find it amusing if you ever give a jw the silent treatment even for a short time, they cannot stand it! They will say you are being insensitive and unchristian, you mean like jw's treat those who disagree, are df'd or da'd?

I recall that the expectation was that all be greeted at the hall in an enthusiastic manner....and if it was a bit off...it was noticed.

Thank you also for the suggestion regarding a board devoted to shunning....am looking for it now.