Why are People so Critical of Jehovah's Witnesses Disfellowshipping?

Question

I've seen many people on here express dismay over the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses disfellowship members. Some say that it's "cruel". Others claim that it's a "scare control tactic." I'd like for you to sit down and think about this question for a second - before you jump to conclusions:

"Why do Jehovah's Witnesses Disfellowship in the First Place?"

. . . Okay. Think of it like this. Every country has a set of laws. If these laws are broken - you will have to pay a penalty. In some cases, you'd have to pay a fine. In other cases - you might get sent to jail. The point is; rules are rules and they are meant to be followed. Step out of line and a penalty awaits.

Now, I'm sure everyone agrees that for the most part - having laws keeps order in countries. It keeps the bad guys at bay (sometimes) and the good people living freely and properly.

That applies to Jehovah's Witnesses too.

If you consider it to be "cruel" - then think about what happens when you break a law. You get penalized. Jehovah's Witnesses operate the same way. We disfellowship to keep our congregations running properly and smoothly, as well as keeping it spiritually clean. We follow the Bible command found at 1 Corinthians 5: 11-13. It reads: "...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves."

God isn't pleased when his people go astray. If there are ones whom are dabbling in things they shouldn't (simply being a deliberate sinner) and they are found out; should they not be expelled if they choose not to change their ways? Obviously they don't want to be followers of God! We are a group of people who live to please our God and abide by his high moral standards. Those who choose not to, can simply leave. It's that simple. Besides, this only applies to BAPTIZED Jehovah's Witnesses.

Before baptism, they very much well know what is to be expected of them. It's serious business, devoting your life to God. They know the penalty for deliberate stepping out of line and not repenting. Expulsion. Like how a criminal would be put in jail, or a troublesome student would be kicked out of school - any Jehovah's Witness being a sinner will be expelled from the congregation.

Now - do you still consider that to be "cruel", or some sort of "control tactic" - or do you now understand that there is a PERFECT, BIBLE-BASED REASON as to why we disfellowship wrongdoers? Please, sound off in the Answers Section below in the most mature manner possible.

Answer 1

Scriptural disfellowshipping is a very LOVING form of discipline from Jehovah.



Of course, anyone who has not experienced it for themselves, with family members, or with someone you really care about in your local congregation, will by no means understand or agree with my statement at all.





. . . . . . . and now let's all watch as the thumbs down number keeps increasing . . . . . . .

Answer 2

Some years ago, an idiot wrote a book called, "I'm OK, You're OK". Schools have been teaching that stupid philosophy for many years and the idea has caught on. So people have the idea that everything is OK, you don't have to follow the Bible and God's law. Break as many of God's laws as you want and it's OK.



The following scripture shows what the end times will be like and it is NOW!

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. 6 For from these arise those men who slyly work their way into households and lead as their captives weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, 7 always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.



When someone is disfellowshipped, A true Christian will follow the Bible and do as Jesus taught and not eat or speak with such a person.



"EDIT" "Transgender Gaige" You just told a BOLDFACED lie. Whether she was disfellowshipped or not, a 15 year old girl would not be thrown out of the house. If she was over 18, she could be asked to leave, but NOT a 15 year old. Maybe she run away and lied to you. If she was disfellowshipped, she is probably a liar anyway.

Answer 3

You know what I like about you. You are very mature and I believe you said already that you are a teenager. But you may not get some mature responses to this.



Anyway, it is ironic that many who are critical of us for disfellowshipping, believe in Hellfire. They believe that God will not only disown people but torture them. But then they don't take strict measures to keep them in line and if Hell were true they wouldn't be preparing them to face it in the afterlife.



Think about it: A churchgoer is allowed to sin and not face penalties. Then they die and that is when they would face penalties: eternal torture according to many.



But we of course know that Hellfire isn't a Bible teaching. But we do know that there is an ultimate consequence for wrongdoing. So we practice tough love with them and this may motivate them to return. The Bible says that when a person is being punished that it is unpleasant at the time but in the long run pays off. Maybe someone will follow me and quote the scripture. I have to go to bed so I can't look it up.



And I need to say something: Someone said that a 15 year old was thrown out on the streets. We do not do that. However, if that was in fact true maybe there is more to the story than is being told. Perhaps the girl was incorrigible. I know what an incorrigible teenager is like because I was one.



I would be curious to know what really happened. And if the parents made a mistake, it is their own wrongdoing, not the religion because we don't want that to happen.

Answer 4

My personal opinion as to why they frown on us for removing an unrepentant sinner from our midst's known as disfellowshiping is because all they have to do is go to confession and they can keep right on doing what they were doing before, they don't have too change their lifestyle so 2 Timothy 4:3,4 says it tickles their ears.

The point made by a previous answer was great, they believe God will torture the sinner forever but they get on our case for removing the sinner from our midst!

The Bible says to remove the sinner from your midst, how is that done, we can't physically remove them, we can't chain them up so how can one be removed and exposed as an"unrepentant" sinner?

Another one that answered it's a form of love, hard love but just ask anyone that has been disfellowshipped and then reinstated, they will tell you they didn't like it out among people that do not live a life devoted to doing God's will, some have even thanked the brothers for taking such steps as it made them realize the wrong steps they were taking, sort of like a spiritual wake up call!

The one that said we put a 15 year old out on the street is misinformed, if any family member kicked a 15 year old out on the street they would be counseled by the brothers that that was wrong and if they didn't change and take care of their family they would join them in being removed! That is if they kicked them out for being disfellowship, if the 15 year old was unrepentant and would not listen to their parents then more power to them, I would not allow a 15 year old rebellious child in my house, having a rebellious minor put in detention may be they only way to stop them disrupting a home with lying and drug use!

To sum it up our faith exposes all acts that are considered sinful (1Corinthians 6:9,10) , their faith lets them get by with their sins with a slap on the wrist and then told God forgives you now put a 100 dollars in the collection plate(just kidding) and come back when you sin again!

We follow the scriptures when we are told to remove the sinner from your MIDST, they get to sin over and over and still think their Christian, 2 Corinthians 4:3,4 come to mind because their "mind" have been blinded by Satan and there is a veil over their eyes!

Answer 5

If I was related to you & every time I when to a party I got drunk , put on a fight & urinated on your carpet would you soon learn not to invite me ?

If I was a member of your religion & I when to church rubbishing your beliefs would you like me in church ?

NO

People claim it's cruel to disfellowship but sometimes action is required to make people think about their actions .Let's face it would you want someone like UL spreading lies amongst you ?

I look at disfellowshipping as a time out , it gives the person time to think about what they have done & free others from bad influences .

Help is always there for the disfellowshipped if they want it , it's not the end it's a chance for a new start .Most importantly it is in line with the bible .

Is it really kind not to punish those who do wrong & let them keep on a wrong path ? The path that leads to destruction ?

It would appear many calling themselves Christian think so.

Answer 6

". . . Okay. Think of it like this. Every country has a set of laws. If these laws are broken - you will have to pay a penalty. In some cases, you'd have to pay a fine. In other cases - you might get sent to jail. The point is; rules are rules and they are meant to be followed. Step out of line and a penalty awaits."



I don't know what country you are from, but in America, prisoners are allowed visitation from friends and family. In the JW religion, if you are disfellowshipped, your friends and family aren't even supposed to email you:



“Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail.” (Jan 15 2013 Watchtower, page 16)



"Extreme forms of shunning have damaged some individuals' psychological and relational health"



http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Shunning.html



Enough said. There's no justifying it. It's a psychologically barbaric practice, intended to bully an individual into compliance. And it has been shown to be harmful. And the organizations guidelines on association are intended to amplify the effect.



"Besides, this only applies to BAPTIZED Jehovah's Witnesses."



So don't get baptized and your good. You'll never have to worry about it.



And how does deciding that you don't want to be a JW anymore after you've been baptized warrant shunning? It makes no sense, unless it's intended to scare people.

Answer 7

Yep I'll give JWs credit for at least following parts of their bible fundies ignore

Answer 8

There is no such thing as a "perfect, bible-based reason" for antisemitism. Think about it, Hitler used a the bible to promote his horrendous crimes. So did Kings, Romans, Greeks, Islam....



Everyone uses their interpretation of the bible to support their beliefs. However, the is a mistake because the bible itself is a lie.



I hope that was a mature answer for you and it makes you think before you speak...



However, I have a strange feeling that you are probably just going to block me instead.

Answer 9

JW's use of "disfellowshipping" (which doesn't exist in the Holy Bible anyway) is improperly used against those who disagree with doctrine or any other reason they choose, illness for example.



In Matthew, Jesus taught us how to heal the body of Christ. Has someone harmed you? Approach that person in private and try to resolve the issue Matthew 18:15-17. To heal the wound. The one who was offended is obligated to point out the rift, and seek closure...



Jesus is teaching His disciples the importance of forgiveness Mt. 18:35. This isn't about doctrinal differences but understanding of scripture about personal grievances.







Matthew 18:35 "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."



Matthew 6:14-15 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."



What Jesus is teaching in Matthew is how to heal the body of Christ.

Answer 10

@ alex what you are saying makes a lot of sense

I think they are critical because they don't understand the concept

Answer 11

you talk about laws of countries. you don't believe in governments. and how about loving ones neighbor ,

you are like the white washed grave stones that jesus talks about

Answer 12

It destroys people, divides families separates loved ones for entire lifetimes.

The definition of a cult is something you can join, ...but you can't leave without them destroying your life and turning your own family against you.

Answer 13

Because it's not very Christ-like, but then what Christians are?



Hey-O!

Answer 14

You bigots made my GF homeless at 15! SHE WAS STILL A CHILD AND YOU THREW HER ON THE STREETS!