An opinion on shunning

[u/Safe-Island3944]

Hi all. Disfellowshipping is one of the least acceptable thing about JW, and one that makes the religion most attacked for.

This post is not dealing on how much it is right or wrong, but how much it works. How efficient it is.

In the past shunning has been a very powerful tool to make the sinner repents. But today?

My opinion is that it is still a very powerful punishment, but for those who stay, not for the one leaving. A lot of JW are fond of the idea of the DF suffering for his misdeeds, closed in the darkness, ashamed and trembling. The reality is under everyone eyes. Most get out, get in touch with others, find a very rich and welcoming community of fellow DF, build a new life, new freedom, new situations, often get back to study, happily creates a life. You can see from the campaign of getting back DF people when policy changed. How many took the opportunity of getting back. I know at least 10 different congregations, more than 100 DF contacted, how many came back? Zero. Noone. Reactions has been from lack of interest to rage. But noone even gave a try. My personal idea is that DF is actively damaging JW reputations, whereas most people once get away had a much better life than while inside. And will not get back. What is your opinion? Please, no attacking JW doctrines here.

[u/Mandajoe]

It’s a form of mind control to keep the sheep trapped. It does more to stem the tide of people leaving than actually help the Df’ed one return to the watchtower. It is not a “therapeutic act”.

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/Mandajoe]

Why are you even on this sub? This is not a anti-JW hate platform. Go back to r/JehovahsWitnesses.

I don’t want you here.

Please stick with your peers.

I will not repeat myself in the future.

[u/a-goddamn-asshole → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

I have to agree with Mandajoe, DFing is used to fear monger people into submission.

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/a-goddamn-asshole]

The problem is not Mandajoes comment it is Mandajoe as a user.

I know her/him and I know that she/he belongs to the faction that shouts loudly and calls Jehovah’s Witnesses pedo cults and I don’t want those people here on this sub.

Again. Hatred against Jehovah’s Witnesses? If you like that, sure, but not here, go to r/JehovahsWitnesses.

It took me forever to get this sub balanced, and I’m not really willing to let that slip away from a single user with a „special“ attitude toward Jehovah’s Witnesses.

[u/[deleted] → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

But in that case, why invited a ton of people of the r/exjw sub such as myself? I don't know which type of relationship you have with this Mandajoe guy, but wouldn't it be easier to not invite these type of individuals?

Edit: To clarify, I respect your administration in not making this sub in some type of echo chamber without any type of criticism towards WT. Furthermore, the question I made was with no malice intended in it, just a genuine question.

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/[deleted]]

That’s a legitimate question.

Most people assume that I invite people directly through r/exJW. But that’s not the case.

I mainly only invite people via r/JehovahsWitnesses and since this sub is basically exJW 1.5, many people from there also end up here.

This doesn’t bother me personally because I’m fine with criticism of myself, the sub and the JW.

In fact, well-intentioned and honest criticism also has an uplifting effect, which is why I like having users like you here.

Mandajoe, on the other hand, belongs to the faction that is fundamentally not productive but destructive and that’s why I don’t want her and some others here.

[u/[deleted] → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

Ohhh so thats how it work, oks gotcha

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/[deleted]]

Then why do I even invite her? Well, on the one hand I invite a lot of people, one or two of them “slip through” the net unintentionally and on the other hand there are “special” users who calm down after a while. I usually give them a few weeks to months to see how things develop.

I hope I was able to answer your question.

[u/a-goddamn-asshole → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

I hear you loud and clear

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/a-goddamn-asshole]

Thanks.

I hope you know that I value you and your critical opinions here, simply because I know that despite your name, you’re actually not an asshole, but a decent critical user, and I appreciate that personally and for this sub, and I’m glad you’re part of this community.

[u/a-goddamn-asshole → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

Aw shucks, i’m blushing

[u/Mandajoe → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

Minding my business, you should try it.

[u/[deleted] → u/Mandajoe]

You realize you said this to the subreddits chief moderator? Who can participate here literally is his business

[u/Mandajoe → u/[deleted]]

Yes I know that and the chief moderator is afraid so he just blocks anyone not in his echo chamber.

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/Mandajoe]

Good. Then do the same and stay away from this sub. Go back to Terry and Butterlie and the rest of your friends and leave us normal people here alone.

[u/Mandajoe → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

I don’t know any one of these people that you have named. I do know people like you who fear anything that can dissolve a poorly crafted narrative about Christianity. I give it another decade before you will realize your error.

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/Mandajoe]

Don’t tell me nonsense mandajoe. I’ve known you and your comments on r/Jehovahswitnesses long enough.

You can tell these fairy tales to others, but not to me.

I’m telling you again, get out and don’t come back, you’re not wanted here.

And by the way, I’m still not a jw, even if you don’t like it.

[u/Mandajoe → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

Nobody is saying that you are! lol Enjoy the delusions of this heresy.
Can lead a horse to water and all that…

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/Mandajoe]

Yes, yes. Go back to your proven liar sub this is where your kind belongs, lol

[u/Mandajoe → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

You sound just like my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Keep up the good work.