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 […]
I previously commented on study article 39 in the October 2021 issue of the Watchtower. The article was entitled: “When a Loved One Leaves Jehovah”. The study article that appeared the very next week, article 40, entitled: “What is True Repentance?” also struck a nerve that moved me once again to respond on what I […]
Study article 39 in the September 2021 issue of the Watchtower purports to be about disfellowshipping, but reading through it gives me the distinct impression that they are really trying to portray persons that disassociate themselves from the organization in the worst possible way, as selfish, cruel monsters that abandon God and their family. The […]
True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but it is painful; yet afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11) This verse is not talking about accepting discipline meted out by congregation elders. In the previous chapter Paul lists various pre-Christian servants […]
As more and more Jehovah’s Witnesses are waking up to the realization that the Watchtower organization is not “the truth”, more are voicing their concerns and explaining their position to friends and family members. Here is an example of a recent post on the ex-jw discussion group of Reddit an online forum, which at the […]
In a recent morning worship broadcast, governing body helper Leonard Myers gave an example that illustrated the need for Christians to avoid showing misplaced compassion. However, I thought it odd that the example he chooses is from the Mosaic Law. This is a common practice of those on the teaching committee of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The […]
In many countries, ethnic minorities who have their rights protected by law often find themselves the object of intolerance. Guaranteeing freedom by law clearly does not get to the roots of intolerance. The fact that intolerance is hidden below the surface does not mean that it does not exist. If at some future time circumstances […]
In an effort to reach out to inactive ones and encourage them to return to the organization, the Watchtower society has produced a brochure entitled: “Return to Jehovah”. In the introduction it says: “Dear fellow believer:… As you know, the Bible is largely a book about people. Many were faithful men and women who faced […]
…“Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.” (1 Corinthians 5:13) Perhaps second only to the refusal of blood transfusions, the most controversial practice of the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses is that of disfellowshipping with its associated shunning of wrongdoers. Presently, all in the disfellowshipped state, whether repentant or not, as well as those voluntarily disassociating […]