Before Jesus died, he himself said that even the Son did not then know the “day and hour” when the end would come but “only the Father.” (Matt. 24:36) He told his disciples that it does not belong to them to get knowledge about the times and seasons the Father has placed in his own […]
Category: Examining Doctrines
Categories
Why Is Shunning Necessary?
During the 2015 Australian Royal Commission, two representatives of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society were asked why it is necessary for the organization to have a policy that tells all of their members to shun persons that have disassociated themselves. Notice their evasive reply.
Categories
Shunning – A Loving Provision?
This article is in response to an article written by Massimo Introvigne a Roman Catholic scholar from Turin Italy who defends cults and new religious movements. He has been requested by the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses to defend their religious rights in court. This is his second article written in defense of their practice […]
When instituting the Memorial of his death Jesus said: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” (Lu 22:19) According to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, from this it is reasonable to understand that Jesus meant that his followers should celebrate the Lord’s Evening Meal annually, not more often: “Jesus had just finished celebrating the […]
In 2012, several individuals in New Jersey began a nonprofit organization, NJ Safe & Sound, to advocate for legislation to protect families in cases of undue influence and predatory alienation. Their own personal experiences with predatory alienation led them to their advocacy efforts. As a result of the advocacy efforts of NJ Safe and Sound, […]
The first amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This guarantee is applicable to the states through the fourteenth amendment. Government is thus under dual constraints when it acts in ways that affect religion. Although the text sounds […]
Categories
The Harmful Effects of Shunning-Part 2
Impact on Family and Friends While not all participants experienced the same level of ostracism from their families, each participant’s family and social ties were deeply affected by their excommunication. The effects of ostracism were not limited to the participants’ family of upbringing, but also affected their own parenting styles, as well as future generations, […]
Categories
The Harmful Effects of Shunning – Part 1
The following experiences are related in ‘A LOVING PROVISION’ ? HOW FORMER JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES EXPERIENCE SHUNNING PRACTICES. by Julia Gutgsell Master’s thesis Academy year 2016-2017 The current study explores individuals’ experiences of religious ostracism in the form of case studies. Participants in this study are former members of a religious community that practices disfellowshipping and […]
While the right of a particular religious group to have a shunning policy should be protected under the U.S. Constitution, along with those in the group desiring to adhere to that policy, the rights of individuals to disagree should also be protected. An individual should have the right to choose to become a member of […]
The External Evidence Regarding the dating of Revelation, the book All Scripture Is Inspired states: “According to the earliest testimony, John wrote the Revelation about 96 C.E., approximately 26 years after the destruction of Jerusalem. This would be toward the close of the reign of Emperor Domitian. In verification of this, Irenaeus in his “Against Heresies” […]