Hello, dear dawny,
thank you for your great reply!
In essence you already said everything I was thinking of.
And yes, I think that loving acts of kindness together (!) with true teachings can affect people to choose the right way. But both should definitely come together.
Love, LovingChild
Hi Union jack, thank you for your reply.
How interesting that the shunning is reflected in Buddhist texts.
I would never have known this. Thank you for sharing.
Love, LovingChild
Hi again,
thank you for that important statement. Yes, it is essential to protect vulnerable people from abuse. That is why I am an Advocate for Awareness of Watchtower Abuses (AAWA is our newly formed organization).
We begin with increasing awareness of the problem of shunning and will...
Hi, dear 9-10ths_Penguin,
thank you for your reply.
In my opinion the bible does not contradict itself. Jesus Himself spoke to the outcast people and knew that tax collectors and prostitutes needed to change their ways. But, He lived in the world without being contaminated by it!
So like...
Hi, dear Brickjectivity,
thank you for your thoughtful reply. Especially I am thankful because I know that it is not a theme that is of interest for most readers, as shunning is not very common anymore.
Regarding your reasoning, I agree in every point you wrote.
Maybe I should add that...
Paul writes in 1. Corinthians5:11,13
"But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviled, or a drunkard, or a swindler - not even to eat with such a one....
Remove the wicked man from among yourselves."...
Dear Vinayaka,
there are strict rules that have to be obeyed by members. If I understand you right the not yet divorced Witness-wife did not shun her husband who left? In that case the elders tell couples who still live together and are still married that the remaining Witness may speak to the...
I just left the Watchtower Organization, which means that I am no longer a Jehovah's Witness. Leaving this Organization is not so easy and has probably more consequences than leaving any common denomination.
When one is disfellowshipped due to serious immorality e.g., or when one disassociates...
Hello, dear Tranquil Servant.
To be a Christian obviously means to follow the Christ, Jesus.
He Himself told us what it means to be His follower:
"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world....
As You [The Father] sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the...
Dear Jeremiah,
I would like to let the bible answer your question directly:
"... and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying (!), shall ever come into it [the holy city, New Jerusalem], but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev.21:27)...
Man chose to go the way of death instead the recommended way of life that God wanted us to go. So what we experience today is the result of our our free will choice.
And in order to know what "is deemed pure and what is deemed impure to be within the presence of God" - read the bible and try...
The promise of being faithful to one another is meant as protection for both spouses. If they are not faithful in their sexual relationship, they cannot focus their care on their partner. You can't say to your spouse "I love you", and then give your love to someone else. The key might be to...
Willie looks funny, but maybe he causes despair sometimes?
I just want to add that often I am angry, too. I am angry with myself because I make so many mistakes. If I wouldn't know that Jesus understands and is forgiving me constantly, then I could not face every new day anymore.
But I know...
My dear friend,
everyone may call me silly, but I do (!) really believe that the bible is the Word of God, which means that it is not "man made", but inspired by God Himself.
He only used humans as 'secretaries' who wrote down what He told them to write.
For me the inner harmony of the...