The April 2012 WT study article has some of the most strongly
worded statements about contact with disfellowshipped family members.
Page 12, paragraph 17: -
So, is this sick or what? Disfellowshipping and shunning are just "theocratic blackmail." Unless the person returns to the organization his family will have nothing to do with him. It seems too me that this persons returned to the organization just because he wanted his family back. It has nothing to do with serving Jehovah. The Watchtower organization is a sick, creepy cult and though they profess love and building strong families their action show just the reverse. They surely do not have Jehovah's blessings.
Page 12, paragraph 17: -
17 Consider just one example of the
good that can come when a family loyally
upholds Jehovah’s decree not to associate
with disfellowshipped relatives. A
young man had been disfellowshipped
for over ten years, during which time his
father, mother, and four brothers “quit
mixing in company” with him. At times,
he tried to involve himself in their activities,
but to their credit, each member
of the family was steadfast in not
having any contact with him. After he
was reinstated, he said that he always
missed the association with his family,
especially at night when he was alone.
But, he admitted, had the family associated
with him even a little, that small
dose would have satisfied him. However,
because he did not receive even
the slightest communication from any
of his family, the burning desire to be
with them became one motivating factor
in his restoring his relationship with
Jehovah. Think of that if you are ever
tempted to violate God’s command not
to associate with your disfellowshipped
relatives.
So, is this sick or what? Disfellowshipping and shunning are just "theocratic blackmail." Unless the person returns to the organization his family will have nothing to do with him. It seems too me that this persons returned to the organization just because he wanted his family back. It has nothing to do with serving Jehovah. The Watchtower organization is a sick, creepy cult and though they profess love and building strong families their action show just the reverse. They surely do not have Jehovah's blessings.
6 comments:
I was disfellowshipped August 2007, rightly so may I add, and it took me years to come to terms with my guilt.
I now have a 10 point reminder of this cruel and controlling policy that is supposed to be a loving provision.
I ask myself:Why would I want anything to do with many in a community that-
1.Slandered my name and gossiped about me in a nasty, hateful and untrue manner.
2.Treated me like the worst criminal ever without knowledge of the facts.
3.Never helped me heal the wounds when I needed help, just left me to rot and die.
4.Shunned me rudely when it suited
5.Were sometimes silently aggressive to me in public
6.Displayed a self-righteous and haughty opinion towards me
7.One or two spoke to me sometimes when it suited them and not when it didn't, so confusing.
8.Did nothing for 4 years to encourage me in any way to return, not a visit, a telephone call, a letter, nothing. Then two elders turn up at my door early January at 19:45 without an appointment expecting to come in and talk to me because it was the September annual visit 'tick list' time. It wasn't convenient, and I told them so. I haven't heard from them since (now end of January).
9.Treated our teenage children who were not baptised as bad associations
10.Finally sickened us so much with this behaviour to the point where we want nothing to do with these people ever again.
Notice there is NO scripture in the paragraph; was it laziness, or just the fact that there is nothing actually in the Bible to back up their statement?
Seems to me their conduct has become a bit brazen; a disfellowshipping offence is it not?
Notice there is NO scripture in the paragraph; was it laziness, or just the fact that there is nothing actually in the Bible to back up their statement?
Seems to me their conduct has become a bit brazen; a disfellowshipping offence is it not?
People never get it. Your not one of them so you can't speak on their ways, they know and believe in their heart the truth just like you do. They know the consequences of different actions before the dedicate to Jehovah's organization. So the agree to disfellowship as a consequence before they baptize in Faith as a result for certain deeds. I know because i studied with them, but chose not to get baptized their faith, and I am still able to attend if i choose. People need to see past the facts of religion and start realizing that faith universally bonds us. No matter what religion you believe in, the message is the same. An example of a life guided by basic principles and the glory that comes from us working as a whole to be guided by these principles, and the result of the desire for pleasure and self gratification that leads to sin. You get the world we live in. But we've never tried the right way. Why not? What's stopping us? I know that answer.... It's us.
People never get it. Your not one of them so you can't speak on their ways, they know and believe in their heart the truth just like you do. They know the consequences of different actions before the dedicate to Jehovah's organization. So the agree to disfellowship as a consequence before they baptize in Faith as a result for certain deeds. I know because i studied with them, but chose not to get baptized their faith, and I am still able to attend if i choose. People need to see past the facts of religion and start realizing that faith universally bonds us. No matter what religion you believe in, the message is the same. An example of a life guided by basic principles and the glory that comes from us working as a whole to be guided by these principles, and the result of the desire for pleasure and self gratification that leads to sin. You get the world we live in. But we've never tried the right way. Why not? What's stopping us? I know that answer.... It's us.
J Michael, what would happen if you had been baptized? Wouldn't you be obligated to follow their ways?
You would have to disfellowship your family if they don't get baptized into the Organization. And you'd have to disfellowship any who do get baptized but later decide to leave the Organization.
How is that a "faith that universally bonds us", since families are ripped apart instead? And how are YOU qualified to speak on their ways, since you are not one of them?
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