Evert van Vlastuin, CNE.news Now they can say hello, then ignore them.
. . ."The new rules published in a video mid-March include a softening of the contact ban. Members may use their “Bible-trained conscience” to decide on a “simple greeting” to a person removed from the congregation. It is no longer expected “to ignore him completely”." . . .
"Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide have eased the discipline for youth members after “serious wrongdoing”. The new guideline came within two weeks after the decision of the Oslo District Court in Norway to strip the Jehovahs of their official status as a registered faith community.
"The faith community seems to be trying to get a better position in the appeal case in Norway. The community came under attack for its rigid rules regarding discipline to “baptised minors”.
"Among Jehovah’s Witnesses, it is usual that children choose for baptism between 12 and 16 years. Religiously, they are seen as responsible members than, who can be disciplined. There have been cases of “disfellowship” after “serious wrongdoing”, resulting in “shunning”, isolation and contact bans. For individuals and families, this can be rigid and feel like psychological violence.
"For the Norwegian state, this practice is controversial because those “baptised minors” are legally still kids. The state feels responsible for protecting the minors. After complaints of psychological violence, the authorities decided in 2021 to rip the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norway from the legal status, which they had since 1985. According to experts, this is the first time a faith community lost its legal position in Norway.
"This registration in Norway gives access to huge amounts of state subsidies. The monetary support is about NOK 16 million (1.3 million euros) every year. Over three years, together with interest, the JW demanded NOK 50 million (4.3 million euros).
"With the de-registration, the Jehovah’s Witnesses also lost the right to perform civil marriages. Traditionally, marriages were performed by the Lutheran state church. Nowadays, all recognised faith communities (including the Humanist Society) can perform civil marriage." . . .
Former Jehovah's Witnesses break silence about practice of shunning . . .“ 'If you’re in the organization, you understand the depression and despair,” said Kaye, who explained that when someone gets disfellowshipped, word spreads fast in the church. She admits that she once shunned her own father at the direction of the church.
. . ." “The moment they make an announcement, you’re not allowed to have contact with them whatsoever. You have to pretend they’re dead,” Kaye said. “That’s how they control the people. It’s a fear tactic. It’s to keep them in the cult, under their control.”. . .
UPDATE: Much more here: Do Jehovah's Witnesses actually shun family members?
One comment among several from TipVisual9341: "I have been shunned by my own son for the past 10 years since the organIzation said you can’t even talk to your own mother if she decides not to be in the cult!"
What does a typical week for a Jehovah's Witness look like? How many times do you go to Kingdom Hall? What days? - Quora "Remember to shun your mother because she didn't want to be a JW anymore but make her feel it's HER fault she's being shunned.
"Also, shun the 13 year old boy who has been disfellowshipped for reporting his JW molester to the police and trying to warn the congregation about him (google Jehovah's Witness two witness rule, child abuse).
"No talking to ex members or questioning anything written in a Watchtower magazines because this is, apparently, God’s method of giving us information in these “last days”.
"And we all can’t wait for the “new system” after Armageddon because 65% of us are on antidepressants and are looking forward to owning a pet tiger in the new world." . . .
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