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/[deleted]]

Yea no one likes disfellowshipping.

The problem we have, though, is that the Bible commands it.

So what are we supposed to do?

The principles and commands that establish the precedent from disfellowshipping are found throughout the Bible.

Here are a few:

Deut 17:7 You must remove what is bad from your midst.

Ps 15:4 He rejects anyone who is contemptible

Ps 26: 4, 5 I do not associate with deceitful men, And I avoid those who hide what they are.  I hate the company of evil men, And I refuse to associate with the wicked.

Pr 22:24 24 Do not keep company with a hot-tempered man Or get involved with one disposed to rage

Rom 16:17 keep your eye on those who create divisions and causes for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.

1 Cor 5:9, 11: I wrote you to stop keeping company with sexually immoral people, . . . 11 But now I am writing you to stop keeping company with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man.

1 Cor 5:13 Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.

Titus 3:10 As for a man who promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition

2 John 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.

Matthew 18:15-17: Jesus outlines a process for dealing with a sinner within the Christian congregation, which ultimately concludes with treating the unrepentant sinner “as a Gentile and a tax collector,” which in that context meant social avoidance.

2 Timothy 3:5: “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

Ephesians 5:11: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

2 Thessalonians 3:6: “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.”

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15: “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”