On the official JW.org website, in the FAQ section, the following topic is addressed:
Do Jehovah s Witnesses Shun Former Members of Their Religion?
The very first answer given to this question is:
“Those who were baptized as Jehovah s Witnesses but no longer preach to others, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned. In fact, we reach out to them and try to rekindle their spiritual interest.”
To view the JW.org website click here
A separate FAQ on the website addresses a different although related question:
What if a person no longer preaches or attends your meetings? Do you view that person as having resigned? The answer?:
“No, we do not. Resigning, or disassociating oneself, is different from becoming weak in faith. Often, those who for a time slow down or stop in their worship have not abandoned their faith but are suffering from discouragement. Rather than shunning such ones, we try to give them consolation and support. (1 Thessalonians 5:14; Jude 22) If the person wants help, congregation elders take the lead in providing spiritual assistance.—Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3.
However, the elders are not authorized to coerce or pressure someone to remain as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each person makes his own choice regarding religion. (Joshua 24:15) We believe that those who worship God must do so willingly, from the heart.—Psalm 110:3; Matthew 22:37.
To view the JW.org website click here
So are inactive ones considered members or non-members? Are they subject to the rules and disciplinary actions of the organization or not? If a person desires to no longer be considered one of Jehovah’s Witnesses does he have to formerly disassociate himself and be shunned by all of his friends and family members that remain in the organization?
On day 155 (Friday August 15, 2015) of the Australian Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse, Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson appeared on the stand. During his testimony he was questioned about the Watchtower society’s policy regarding disassociation and its ramifications.
The following is a transcript of this portion:
Angus Stewart: As I understand it, people who no longer want to be known as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but who have been, must then dissociate; is that right?
Geoffrey Jackson: No, not necessarily. I meet many people in my travels that perhaps were Jehovah’s Witnesses at one stage but then have decided no longer to be active. So they haven’t gone through a formal process.
Stewart: Well, I have chosen my words deliberately, Mr Jackson.
Jackson: Okay.
Stewart: If someone no longer wants to be known as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they must then disassociate; is that right?
Jackson: Again, please, if they want to take the action of doing that. But, of course, they have total freedom. If they don’t want to apply to officially be removed as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they can tell anyone they want that they are no longer a Jehovah’s Witness.
Prior to hearing this, I was unaware that the organization recognized such a loophole. It appears that, according to Geoffrey Jackson, this would be an acceptable way for one to resign from being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses without experiencing the discipline and shunning. But is that the case? ? If so, it would seem to be out of harmony with the second FAQ answer that clearly stated a person that no longer preaches or attends meetings is not considered to have resigned. “
What though, about the statement: “the elders are not authorized to coerce or pressure someone to remain as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each person makes his own choice regarding religion.” This sounds very reasonable and consistent with a person’s conscientious right to worship God unhindered. Can a person leave the religion, choosing to worship God willingly, from the heart apart from the organization and not face repercussions?
This question will be explored and I will be sharing my findings in a future post. In the meantime, if you have an experience you would like to share whether personal or of someone you know, please feel free to share.
I look forward to your comments.
For further information check out jwfaq.com