BeliefWatch: Witness

why would you expose a fellow brother if you really are a real Jehovah's Witnesses.

why what did he do?

The elders would disfellowship Stuart116 for two reasons. First, he is associating with those who question the religion. That's a BIG no, no. Second, he is on an Internet site reading information that is anti-JW. Stuart116, the internet is orchestrated by Satan....

Thats why they talk about everlasting life because they know we all grow old and die, no one can "escape the enemy death" not even Jesus did when he was on earth. Why are they any better. They are just like normal folks just like you said. If you think they are trespassing on your property tell them you don't want them to and they will respect your view. Simple as that

How nice to hear someone positive you must be a Jehovah's Witness. Just in the nick of time cuz these other people are discouraging. They sound like they think they know everything. Why do they pick on good religions? maybe they wish they were like you.

First of all, let's refresh our memories regarding what JWs are dedicating themselves to when they are baptised, by reveiewing the baptismal questions. Since the 1980's, you are not only dedicating yourself to Jehovah but to the Watchtower Society and all of it's legalistic requirements, which you must fulfill in order to remain in good standing with the organization. One of those proscriptions is, indeed, door to door activity, but this is NOT God's requirement. In the passage you use to back up this teaching, Matt. 28: 19, 20, Jesus never says we must go door to door. Furthermore, He never says that we must tell others that Armegeddon is just around the corner and that, in order to be saved, we must adhere to some organization that claims to be God's mouth piece and sole champion of truth. Rather, in the context of the entire chapter, we see that our message is to be one that Jesus Christ is risen and is now with us always (v. 7, 20b). This is a clear case of taking verses out of context to support erroneous WT views and the passage in Acts that is used to uphold the blood ban is just more of the same.

No actually I have a family member who got "disfellowshipped" and she didn't get kicked out. She WANTED to leave. So whoever told you that is wrong. You have a choice whether you are disfellowshipped if you want to confess and do it genuinely and want help not to do it again then that won't happen to you. So when you don't you already accept the idea of not being able to talk to other Jehovah witnesses. It wasn't like a catch or something. I mean everyone who has commented so far seems to know that too. That's what they want and then they get mad when people do the right thing and don't talk to them. How selfish of them. Its not like they can't change. They would be warmly welcomed back. WHATS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!!

Oh yeah and every one knows that the BIBLE is what controls our lives. Act 5:29 says " We must obey God as ruler rather than men" If you happen to have a friend whos a witness that isn't doing that mayb you should tell them that scripture

RU SERIOUS!!!! No one can force you to do anything. How do Jehovah's Witnesses have court cases around the world to gain freedom of worship but then take it away. Please explain because you're sounding really contradictory right now.

I agree. If those people commenting negatively can say that witnesses disfellowship for stealing how much more so would they do to a molester. They are contradicting themselves. Why would they treat a stealer with more consequence than molester. GET IT RIGHT MAN, THERE ARE ACTUALLY PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE ALL THAT NEGATIVE TALK ABOUT THE WITNESSES.

wow how do you know watchtower protocol?

So, why was Ray Franz disfellowshipped? He simply ceased to be involved with the Organization as he did not "go along" with the teachings?

What about Barbara Anderson? She was disfellowshipped for exposing the child abuse problem. She wasn't a pedophile or a sinner

Again, you need to read the Watchtower 83, the Kingdom Ministry 8/1980, teh Watchtower 7/1/1963; and the Wathtower October 1, 1995.

The next time you disagree with a Watchtower statement, raise your hand in the middle of the meeting. Stop the meeting and say, "Excuse me speaker, I differ with what is written...and this is why I see the problem differently." Then, report back to hear the outcome of your meeting with the elders. If you persist in your disagreement, they will make an announcement to the entire congregation that you are no longer considered one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Then, you will be shunned and your Christian Love will no longer be of comfort.

f a person dies in a disfellowshipped state they still are not to be associated with, so Witnesses are persuaded from attending their funeral.
"In "Questions from Readers" (The Watchtower, 1961, p. 544) the position was taken that a funeral for a disfellowshiped person was improper. The comment was made: "We never want to give the impression to outsiders that a disfellowshiped person was acceptable in the congregation when in truth and in fact he was not acceptable but had been disfellowshiped from it." ??? A Christian congregation would not want its good name besmirched by having it associated with any to whom 2 John 9, 10 applied, even in their death." Watchtower 1977 June 1 p. 347 Mourning and Funerals-For Whom?
It is quite shocking that under certain circumstances even a parent can be disfellowshipped for associating with their own disfellowshipped children.
"Normally, a close relative would not be disfellowshipped for associating with a disfellowshipped person unless there is spiritual association or an effort made to justify or excuse the wrongful course." Pay Attention to Yourselves and all the Flock p.103

It is even recommended that a disfellowshipped relative not be greeted. Notice how this article mentioned that when a son stopped speaking to his mother it made her come back to the Organization. It would appear the mother was motivated to come back based on love of son rather than God. The article does not mention the hundreds of thousands of ex-Jehovah's Witness family members that have never been reinstated and years later, even decades later, are still shunned by their 'loving' Witness family members.

"Cutting off from the Christian congregation does not involve immediate death, so family ties continue. Thus, a man who is disfellowshipped or who disassociates himself may still live at home with his Christian wife and faithful children??? The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. It might be possible to have almost no contact at all with the relative. Even if there were some family matters requiring contact, this certainly would be kept to a minimum, in line with the divine principle: "Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person [or guilty of another gross sin], . . . not even eating with such a man."-1 Corinthians 5:11. Understandably, this may be difficult because of emotions and family ties, such as grandparents' love for their grandchildren. Yet, this is a test of loyalty to God, as stated by the sister quoted on page 26." Watchtower 1988 April 15 p.27 What About Relatives?

Stuart116's comment that "Disfellowshipping dow not sever family ties" is not what the Watchtower says...

Total avoidance of the member is extended beyond members of the congregation and to ones immediate family. Below are quotes from a number of articles on the treatment of disfellowshipped members and how they are to be viewed.

"What about speaking with a disfellowshipped person? While the Bible does not cover every possible situation, 2 John 10 helps us to get Jehovah's view of matters: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him." Commenting on this, The Watchtower of September 15, 1981, page 25, says: "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 disfellowshipped person?" Indeed, it is just as page 31 of the same issue of The Watchtower states: "The fact is that when a Christian gives himself over to sin and has to be disfellowshipped, he forfeits much: his approved standing with God; . . . sweet fellowship with the brothers, including much of the association he had with Christian relatives."??? Benefits of Being Loyal to Jehovah: Cooperating with the Scriptural arrangement to disfellowship and shun unrepentant wrongdoers is beneficial. It preserves the cleanness of the congregation and distinguishes us as upholders of the Bible's high moral standards. (1 Pet. 1:14-16) It protects us from corrupting influences. (Gal. 5:7-9) It also affords the wrongdoer an opportunity to benefit fully from the discipline received, which can help him to produce "peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness."-Heb. 12:11. After hearing a talk at a circuit assembly, a brother and his fleshly sister realized that they needed to make adjustments in the way they treated their mother, who lived elsewhere and who had been disfellowshipped for six years. Immediately after the assembly, the man called his mother, and after assuring her of their love, he explained that they could no longer talk to her unless there were important family matters requiring contact. Shortly thereafter, his mother began attending meetings and was eventually reinstated. Also, her unbelieving husband began studying and in time was baptized. Loyally upholding the disfellowshipping arrangement outlined in the Scriptures demonstrates our love for Jehovah and provides an answer to the one that is taunting Him. (Prov. 27:11) In turn, we can be assured of Jehovah's blessing. King David wrote regarding Jehovah: "As for his statutes, I shall not turn aside from them. With someone loyal you will act in loyalty."-2 Sam. 22:23, 26." Kingdom Ministry August 2002 p.3 Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped

e Watchtower has created a vast list of offences for which a Jehovah???s Witness can be disfellowshipped or disassociated, including apostasy and blood transfusions.

Apostasy - w83 4/1 pp.22-4, km 8/80 pp.1, 4. includes;
rebellion against Jehovah???s organization - w63 7/1
promoting sects - it-2 886

Associating with disfellowshipped people including;
friends - ks91-E p.103, w81 9/15 pp.25-6, w55 10/1 p.607
family - ks91-E p.103

Blood and blood transfusions - w61 1/15 ks91-E p.95, jv p.183-4

False worship. Includes;
attending another church ks91-E p.94
Subversive activity - w95 10/1 p.31

You have a first amendment right to associate with whoever you want. If the JWs want to disfellowship someone for breaking a moral matter, they are free to do so.

But, the problem comes in that the leadership's role in promoting shunning by immediate family members and business associates. In fact, it's legally actionable in Pennsylvania where the Pennsylvania Supreme Court stated in a Mennonite case and in California where the California Supreme Court stated in a Scientology case that a church could not extend shunning in order to break up families or business associations.

The Watchtower hangs its hat on a case called Paul v. Watchtower. In it, it involved mere shunning by the friends, not immediate family or business associates. The Watchtower has yet to face a case dealing directly with facts involving immediate family members and business associates.

In a recent Irish blood decision, the judge mentioned that coercion could exist within the blood decision (due to shunning consequences). If coercion exists, then the medical decision to forego a medically needed blood transfusion would be "null & void" as there is not "infrormed consent."

For this reason, as well as the blood fraction doctrinal problem, the Watchtower needs to make all of blood a conscience matter. Just as they did for vaccinations and organ transplants.

In the past 100 years, there was "only 11 elders"....

For almost all of the past 100 years, no church could ever have been sued for pedophilia. Only recently has this type of tort action been allowed by the courts against a church. The Watchtower fought California all the way to the California Supreme Court, and lost. Now that lawsuits are allowed, the Jehovah's Witness church must mend its ways. This is why the Society is stepping up its efforts.. Else, they will need more contributions.

Did you know that one of America's Most Wanted is a JW elder/ministerial servent who abused kids? There is a whole slew of molestors who are JWs. See silentlambs.org for information. In the congregation I attended, I knew of two separate incidents involving two separate molestors. Both times, the families were told to not go to the police as it was wrong to falsely accuse another brother without two witnesses.

Over the past 100 years, there has been alot of sexual abuse of children going on which has been covered up by the elders. So much, in fact, that Bethel had its own "form" to report the abuse cases as they were reported to Bethel. See the NBC news story. You can get a copy of the thousanda of court pages filed by the Watchtower Society, including the reporting form and its policy of reinstating elders from the court houses. While the court houses will charge you $1.00 or more per page, you can order the entire Watchtower's legal filings on these cases from http://www.lulu.com/content/1085239 for about $15. You can read for yourself just what Bethel Legal does.