Although BEACON website is expressly for former Jehovah's Witnesses, as stated in the header, the Internet being what it is, Jehovah's Witnesses and other apologists frequently visit the site for the information presented. Occasionally one will send a post, as in the case of this concerned person who felt compelled to respond to the Jehovah's Witnesses and Shunning article to express the Witnesses' viewpoint on the matter. As it appears to be a fair representation of their perspective, I think it is fair to post it here in the interest of presenting both sides of the issue. The following letter is presented as written, and was received in Beacon e-mail in April 1999. --Ros

Hi,

This is in regard to the web page at http://www.xjw.com/shunning.html "Jehovah's Witnesses and Shunning"

The writer of this page fails to recognize the different levels of inappropriate conduct or sins of Jehovah's Witnesses and others associated with them. There is a lot more involved then just expelling someone from the congregation if he sins etc. It can not just be summed up that if they sin they are as the gentiles. (1) If a person recklessly rejects Jehovah and obviously causing trouble for others in the congregation, he needs to be removed and he should not be associated with in this state as his only aim is to corrupt anyone that will listen to him. Remember, family relationship is not the goal of True worship. If anyone, even a family member is a threat to your spiritual future is it not best to reject him, or should you give in and die with him? Some seem to think this is a punishment for the wrongdoer. It is not, it is a form of corrective counseling from Jehovah. When a person is put out of the congregation, yes, he feels terrible. That's the point, because if he really belongs to God he will accept this corrective action and make progress to reenter the congregation with having learned a great lesson. But for the ones who do not return, then obviously they never had what it took to be one of God's people. And what would it have accomplished in letting this person stay and possibly cause harm to the rest of the congregation if he was never humble enough to be one of God's true worshipers.

Now for some of the other scriptures that were mentioned on this topic, don't really apply, I won't go through them all, but they were for different situations. Like when a person is LOST it does not mean an unrepentant sinner. It means someone who has lost interest in his spiritual health for some earthly reason, like work, money, relationships, etc. Yes, he may have sinned in this course but it is not the same sin of an apostate who does not want to conform, this type is from being spiritually weak. And others are referring to someone who does commit serious sin but is regretful of it and truly repentant. And still others are referring to ones in the congregation who are not good associations, not that they have done anything to be disfellowshiped, but on the lines of inactive or who share in questionable activities. The ones in the congregation would not want to be a close association to this person, but not shunning him either, but admonishing him to improve his situation. And there are still others, so this is definitely not a black and white issue. The Idea behind shunning is to protect the innocent from the influence of Satan, no matter who this influence is coming from, whether close family or other wise, no relationship is worth losing your eternal hope. And in some respects its not so much a question of who is right or wrong about a theological uncertainty, but about conformity of the congregation. If you let this happen then soon you will be doing nothing but discussing different theological questions and not serving God. So it is cut off at the roots when it shows itself.

Thanks,
[name withheld]

I am satisfied to let this Jehovah's Witness' response speak for itself without further comment.
--Ros