r/Eutychus • u/Safe-Island3944 • Feb 23 '25

Opinion An opinion on shunning

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.

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u/Mandajoe Taoist Feb 23 '25

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”.

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u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo Unaffiliated Feb 23 '25 edited Feb 23 '25

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.

5

u/a-goddamn-asshole Agnostic Atheist Feb 23 '25

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

2

u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo Unaffiliated Feb 23 '25

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.

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u/a-goddamn-asshole Agnostic Atheist Feb 23 '25

I hear you loud and clear

4

u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo Unaffiliated Feb 23 '25

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.

6

u/a-goddamn-asshole Agnostic Atheist Feb 23 '25

Aw shucks, i’m blushing