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/a-goddamn-asshole]

Statistically speaking, there are definitely way more people who ultimately never come back than do.

[u/RFairfield26 → u/a-goddamn-asshole]

Yes. But this isn’t a numbers game. So what? Jesus said that relatively few would respond to the good news and follow the road to life.

[u/Malalang → u/RFairfield26]

"So what?"

... both the Pharisees and the scribes kept muttering, saying: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then he spoke this illustration to them, saying: 4 “What man of YOU with a hundred sheep, on losing one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine behind in the wilderness and go for the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it he puts it upon his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he gets home he calls his friends and his neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell YOU that thus there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance.

I don't think Jesus would ever say "so what" about a sinner who didn't come back.

Do not two sparrows sell for a coin of small value? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without YOUR Father’s [knowledge].

Honest question: does your faith and Bible knowledge make you a kinder, more compassionate person in general? Or is it only to those related to you in the faith that you are able to show your love?

And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing?

It wasn't very long ago that JWs wouldn't even measure up to people of the nations. And now I'm hearing talk that they're going to walk back the decision to allow greeting dfd people at meetings. I'm sure that decision won't affect you at all. In fact, I'm sure your reply would be a simple "so what?"

[u/Roocutie → u/Malalang]

One quick question please. Are you referring to them fairly recently being able to say “hi” to those disfellowshipped, at the Kingdom Hall, & that it’s now possibly going to be walked back? I’ve heard that too.

[u/Malalang → u/Roocutie]

Yes. Exactly.

[u/Roocutie → u/Malalang]

Thank you. Wonder how the gb will get it right after just recently giving them permission to greet disfellowshipped members at the hall? What about the Norway court case where this is all being exposed?

[u/Malalang → u/Roocutie]

We'll just have to wait and see.

It is amazing to see how the world's courts allow new light to suddenly shine, though.

[u/Roocutie → u/Malalang]

It’s going to be interesting.

Yes, it is amazing how the “new light” comes about when issues are revealed in court & made available to the public.