Disfellowshipping Scriptual?

"No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family."
Awake! 2009 July

I posted this quote first before examining the methods that are used by the JWs for disfellowshipping someone. Why? As I continue, try to remember exactly what it says, and see if it ends up as a contradiction towards their reasoning with regards to discipline.

First, let's check out some recent articles and see what is being stated.

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." Watchtower 2012 Apr 15 p.12

"Suppose, for example, that the only son of an exemplary Christian couple leaves the truth. Preferring "the temporary enjoyment of sin" to a personal relationship with Jehovah and with his godly parents, the young man is disfellowshipped. ... the Bible says "to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator... They also realise that the word "anyone" in this verse includes family members not living under their roof. ... Our hearts go out to those parents. After all, their son had a choice, and he chose to pursue his unchristian lifestyle rather than to continue to enjoy close association with his parents and other fellow believers. The parents, on the other hand, had no say in the matter. ... But what will those dear parents do? Will they obey Jehovah's clear direction? Or will they rationalize that they can have regular association with the disfellowshipped son and call it, "necessary family business"? In making their decision, they must not fail to consider how Jehovah feels about what they are doing. ... Today, Jehovah does not immediately execute those who violate his laws. He lovingly gives them an opportunity to repent from their unrighteous works. How would Jehovah feel, though, if the parents of an unrepentant wrongdoer kept putting Him to the test by having unnecessary association with their disfellowshipped son or daughter?"
Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 pp.31,32

"By cutting off contact with the disfellowshipped or disassociated one, you are showing that you hate the attitudes and actions that led to that outcome. However, you are also showing that you love the wrongdoer enough to do what is best for him or her. Your loyalty to Jehovah may increase the likelihood that the disciplined one will repent and return to Jehovah."
Watchtower 2011 Feb 15

Assist those having undue association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives. ... If members of the congregation are known to have undue association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should counsel and reason with those members of the congregation from the Scriptures. ... If it is clear that a Christian is violating the spirit of the disfellowshipping decree in this regard and does not respond to counsel, it may be that he would not qualify for congregation privileges, which require one to be exemplary. He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he openly criticizes the disfellowshipping decision. pp.114-116 Shepherd the Flock of God 2010

 A heartrending experience for Aaron’s family is recorded at Leviticus 10:1-11. They must have been devastated when fire from heaven consumed Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu at the tabernacle. What a test of faith it was for Aaron and his family not to mourn their dead relatives! Are you personally proving yourself holy with regard to not associating with family members or others who have been disfellowshipped?

This is extremely harsh treatment. A complete cutting off of any association with anyone that is disfellowshipped, even a family member. And if you decide to associate with that person, even on a minimal basis, you will more than likely lose your privileges, or even be disfellowshipped too. How does this line up with what the bible says about the treatment of those that were doing wrong?

It might be a good idea to see what Jesus said about how to treat a wrongdoer within the congregation.

Matt. 18:15-17--Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.

How often is this procedure followed? My guess would be that it is NOT followed at all. The matter is brought to an elder by some anonymous source, and then a private meeting is set up to discuss the matter. The only way that the matter is brought to the congregation is when an announcement is made naming the guilty one and the level of their punishment. But Jesus also said the following in Luke 6:27-37.

Luke 6:27-37 But I say to YOU who are listening, Continue to love YOUR enemies, to do good to those hating YOU,to bless those cursing YOU, to pray for those who are insulting YOU.To him that strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also; and from him that takes away your outer garment, do not withhold even the undergarment.Give to everyone asking you, and from the one taking your things away do not ask [them] back. Also, just as YOU want men to do to YOU, do the same way to them. And if YOU love those loving YOU, of what credit is it to YOU? For even the sinners love those loving them.And if YOU do good to those doing good to YOU, really of what credit is it to YOU? Even the sinners do the same. Also, if YOU lend [without interest] to those from whom YOU hope to receive, of what credit is it to YOU? Even sinners lend [without interest] to sinners that they may get back as much. To the contrary, continue to love YOUR enemies and to do good and to lend [without interest], not hoping for anything back; and YOUR reward will be great, and YOU will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind toward the unthankful and wicked. Continue becoming merciful, just as YOUR Father is merciful. Moreover, stop judging, and YOU will by no means be judged; and stop condemning, and YOU will by no means be condemned."

Stop judging and condemning others, instead you should love them. The Golden Rule was Jesus' advice. Even in the worst case, he said to treat them as a tax collector. In modern times, that could be likened to what the jws call a "worldly" person. Did he say to shun them?

Paul's advice is often used to justify disfellowshipping. One of the most common used verses is found in 1 Cor. 5:11.

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing YOU to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do YOU not judge those inside, while God judges those outside? Remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves.

But does this verse say to SHUN that person? No. It says to quit mixing in company with them, in other words, don't socialize with that person. Also, a key phrase that is often overlooked is ANYONE CALLED A BROTHER. That simply means that anyone that is still part of the congregation, not those outside, as Paul makes it clear that God will judge those ones. This distinction is very important when we consider the next quote.

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15 Now we are giving YOU orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition YOU received from us . 14 But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed. 15 And yet do not be considering him as an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother.

Marking an individual does not mean to excommunicate that person. It simply means to keep an eye on them.

2 Corinthians 2:5-6 "Now if anyone has caused sadness, he has saddened, not me, but all of YOU to an extent-not to be too harsh in what I say. This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man "

Rebuke given by the majority? Yes, apparently some were allowed not share in the rebuking of the individual if they chose not to do so.

What if the reason for discipline is something that was never taught?

3 John 9-10 "I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who likes to have the first place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect. That is why, if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words. Also, not being content with these things, neither does he himself receive the brothers with respect, and those who are wanting to receive them he tries to hinder and to throw out of the congregation."

John reprimands Diotrephes for attempting to disfellowship people unnecessarily. As we see here, Diotrephes was "throwing people out" of the congregation.

If you examined the list of wrongdoings that could get you disfellowshipped, how many of them fall into the category of unscriptual?

The Watchtower Society used the following verses to justify the "not even say hello" to a disfellowshipped person. 2 John 7-11 says the following,

For many deceivers have gone forth into the world, persons not confessing Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Look out for yourselves, that YOU do not lose the things we have worked to produce, but that YOU may obtain a full reward. Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God. He that does remain in this teaching is the one that has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to YOU and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into YOUR homes or say a greeting to him. For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.

This is talking about the antichrist. Although they might attempt to cast an Apostate into this role, it should be wise to consider the context of these verses. The Jews had rejected Jesus. Also, in the first century, they held congregation meetings in the homes of believers. Those christians were under a great deal of pressure and had to be wary of those rejecting Christ that might find out their meeting places and cause problems for them. Clearly this is not aimed at someone that was marked in the congregation.

When they anounce from the stage that someone has been disfellowshipped, they say the following,

"[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovahs Witnesses." Organised to do Jehovahs Will (2005) p.154

If this person is no longer "recognized as a brother", this is a direct contradiction of what Paul stated when he said to continue admonishing them as a brother. Yet they continue to not allow any association with family members. They are cutting the person off completely, which is not scriptual.

So again, when we read this,

"No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family."
Awake! 2009 July

there is a definite contradiction in how the JWs are applying their own advice to current members. With this in mind, can the claim still be made that God is guiding them with His holy spirit?