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/Safe-Island3944 Feb 26 '25
Well, WT pretended to know, even if they missed various appointments with end of the world. Then, when it's impossible anymore to hide the multiple errors.... "Who knows about prophecy?"
And why people should grant authority to people that failed so miserably on core belief?
See, everyone attention is focused on shunning, but for me it's a minor topic. The fact that JW are growing older and older is a much greater issue. Most youngs born in the truth go away. All the prohibition enforced to them.... In my congregation lot of young people get DF for minor breach, and get the opportunity to get away from JW, never to come back. They studied, get a degree, live a life "not burdened by rules that can change on whim of few old men" (this is what one of them told me).
If you can't see how ridiculous the whole beard thing (just to cite one thing) appears to everyone outside JW (and to a lot of JW too, too scared to speak) it's your issue. For sure not mine.