Jehovah's Witnesses and Shunning...

​There is such a fine line when writing about religion and trauma. It's so easy to allow your grief and anger to trickle into your words, influencing the reader's point of view. I have worked very hard when writing my memoir to let the Jehovah's Witnesses' actions and beliefs speak for themselves, giving the reader an opportunity to form their own opinion. This has been very therapeutic.

I have also spent a great deal of time researching the Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs, particularly those regarding shunning, or "disfellowshipping" as they would call it.  This has been incredibly eye-opening as it has allowed me to peer into a world I left over a decade ago.

Below you will find a short sermon where Jehovah's Witnesses, proclaimed Christians, are instructed on how to treat shunned ("disfellowshipped") members of the religion. Every year, the Jehovah's Witnesses have large, three-day conventions around the world, listening to identical "sermons" that have been pre-written by the organization's head office in Brooklyn, New York. You will, on average, find the word "loyal" repeated one time every 30 seconds. Not speaking to loved ones who have been shunned is a "test" on the member's loyalty to God.

Below the video, I have cited a few direct quotes (out of hundreds) from the Jehovah's Witnesses' website (www.jw.org) on how to treat disfellowshipped ones and "apostates" (what I am now considered since I have willingly left the religion). The short link after each quote will bring you directly to their website where the quote was found.

I am posting this simply as a resource (in conjuntion with the upcoming publication of Scared to Life) should there be any questions regarding the Jehovah's Witnesses' shunning former members of their religion.

This is a very brief insight into the world of Jehovah's Witnesses, a world completely foreign and unknown to many.

Disfellowship - "To remove the wicked man (or woman) from the congregation." (ws11 7/15 pp. 22-27)

Apostate - "This term in Greek (a·po·sta·si′a) ... literally meaning “stand away from.” In the Christian Greek Scriptures it is used primarily with regard to...a withdrawal or abandonment of the true cause, worship, and service of God...  Such ones willfully abandoning the Christian congregation thereby become part of the 'antichrist.'” (it-1 pp. 126-127)

“Apostasy” is a standing away from true worship...rebellion, abandonment. (w11 7/15 pp. 15-19)

Governing Body - "...the ruling council of Jehovah's Witnesses based in Brooklyn, New York. The body formulates doctrines, oversees the production of written material for publications and conventions, and administers the group's worldwide operations. Official publications refer to members of the Governing Body as followers of Christ rather than religious leaders." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governing_Body_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses)

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"Satan was the first creature to turn apostate. Modern-day apostates display characteristics similar to those of the Devil. Their mind may be poisoned by a critical attitude toward individuals in the congregations, Christian elders, or the Governing Body. Some apostates oppose the use of the divine name, Jehovah. They are not interested in learning about Jehovah or in serving him. Like their father, Satan, apostates target people of integrity. (John 8:44) No wonder servants of Jehovah avoid all contact with them!" (w09 4/15 pp. 3-7)

"How can we protect ourselves against false teachers? The Bible’s counsel regarding how to deal with them is clear. “Avoid them,” says God’s Word. Other translations render that phrase “turn away from them,” “keep away from them,” and “stay away from them!” There is nothing ambiguous about that inspired counsel. Suppose that a doctor told you to avoid contact with someone who is infected with a contagious, deadly disease. You would know what the doctor means, and you would strictly heed his warning. Well, apostates are “mentally diseased,” and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings. (1 Tim. 6:3, 4) Jehovah, the Great Physician, tells us to avoid contact with them." (w11 7/15 pp. 15-19)

"What if we have a relative or a close friend who is disfellowshipped? Now our loyalty is on the line, not to that person, but to God. Jehovah is watching us to see whether we will abide by his command not to have contact with anyone who is disfellowshipped." (w12 4/15 pp. 8-12)

"Few things can hurt us more deeply than the pain we suffer when a relative or a close friend is expelled from the congregation for unrepentant sin. How we respond to the Bible’s direction on this matter can reveal the depth of our love for God and of our loyalty to his arrangement. Consider some questions that arise on this subject.
        How should we treat a disfellowshipped person?  Regarding everyone who “does not remain in the teaching of the Christ,” we read: “Do not receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. For the one who says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.” (2 John 9-11) We do not have spiritual or social fellowship with disfellowshipped ones. The Watchtower of September 15, 1981, page 25, stated: “A simple ‘Hello’ to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
        Is strict avoidance really necessary? Yes, for several reasons...it is a matter of loyalty to God and his Word." (lv pp. 207-209) 

"At times, we are called upon to withdraw our fellowship from one who has been a member of the congregation. This situation arises when an individual who unrepentantly violates God’s law is disfellowshipped or when one rejects the faith by teaching false doctrine or by disassociating himself from the congregation. God’s Word plainly tells us to “stop keeping company” with such ones.* (Read 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 2 John 9-11) It may be a real challenge to avoid someone who had perhaps been a friend or who is related to us. Will we take a firm stand, thereby showing that we put loyalty to Jehovah and his righteous laws above all else? Remember that Jehovah places a high value on loyalty and obedience." (lv chap. 3 pp. 25-35)

More information can be found on www.jwfacts.com