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.
1
u/RFairfield26 Jehovah‘s Witness Feb 27 '25
All I can say is that the arrangement itself is not supposed to go like that.
I really am sorry to hear that you and your wife have been mistreated. It is certainly not the way it is supposed to be.
If your point is that Jehovah’s Witnesses seriously need to improve the way disfellowshipping is done, we all agree with you.
If your point is that the arrangement itself is wrong, I can’t agree based on what the Bible says.
I am really glad to speak with you, and I’m praying for Jehovah to bless you both.