Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by SmackBot (talk | contribs) at 09:24, 2 September 2009 (→Critical view: Date maintenance tags and general fixes). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Part of a series on
Jehovah's Witnesses
Overview Organizational structure Governing Body Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society Corporations History Bible Student movement Leadership dispute Splinter groups Doctrinal development Unfulfilled predictions Demographics By country
Beliefs Practices God's name 144,000 Salvation Eschatology Faithful and discreet slave Memorial of Jesus' Death Blood Discipline Hymns Literature The Watchtower Awake! New World Translation Bibliography Places Kingdom Hall Gilead School
People Watch Tower presidents W. H. Conley C. T. Russell J. F. Rutherford N. H. Knorr F. W. Franz M. G. Henschel D. A. Adams R. L. Ciranko Formative influences William Miller Henry Grew G. W. Stetson George Storrs N. H. Barbour J. N. Darby Notable former members R. V. Franz O. R. Moyle Notable scholars George Chryssides James Penton Zoe Knox
Criticism Handling child sex abuse Unfulfilled predictions
Opposition Persecution in Nazi Germany Supreme Court cases by country
v t e

Jehovah's Witnesses employ various levels of congregational discipline as formal controls administered by congregation elders. The determination of guilt and repentance is judged by a tribunal of elders, and hearings concerning what they term "serious sin" are performed by formal judicial committees. A variety of controls can be enforced, from restriction of duties performed in the congregation to excommunication, known as disfellowshipping, and shunning by the congregation. Members who are disfellowshipped have an opportunity to regain membership. The practice of disfellowshipping has been criticized by many non-members, and some members and ex-members.

'Correction'

Actions a member might take may be regarded as sinful or simply regrettable, but may be termed 'non-judicial' because they are not considered to be of sufficient gravity to necessitate a judicial committee, and cannot result in disfellowshipping from the congregation. Non-judicial situations often do not require any specific action by congregation elders, but may include counsel (or correction) by a mature fellow Witness (male or female) in addition to self-discipline and family discipline. Elders may also give recommendations or warnings to members in non-judicial situations.

Certain actions are considered to constitute "serious sins" for which the sinner must demonstrate formal repentance; the congregation’s body of elders become involved for administering correction (or, "discipline") if an active baptized Witness is considered to have committed a “serious sin”. Such a situation usually involves a "judicial committee" of three or more elders.

See Discipline involving "serious sin".

Discipline involving non-judicial situations

At the elders' discretion, “non-judicial” situations may sometimes involve various forms of discipline, as indicated below in increasing order of seriousness.

Local needs

At conventions and assemblies, and about once each month at a local Service Meeting, a short talk regarding "Local needs" is presented. An elder addresses matters that are relevant to the local congregation, with instructions (discipline) outlining the course of action considered appropriate. No specific individuals are identified during the talk. At times, some temporary policy may be announced that might be seen as disciplinary; for example, it may be that an additional attendant is assigned outside a Kingdom Hall to discourage children from running on the sidewalk.

Shepherding calls

Personal "shepherding visits" are intended to encourage members of the congregation, though may also include counsel and correction, then or on a subsequent visit. Two elders (or an elder and a ministerial servant) may schedule and perform a particular shepherding visit on their own or at the direction of the body of elders.

Withheld recommendations or assignments

The body of elders may withhold recommendations for members to serve in positions of responsibility where members are not considered to have the necessary qualifications or attitude, though still permitted to perform their existing responsibilities. For example, an individual elder or ministerial servant's application to serve with his area's Regional Building Committee may be declined, perhaps due to issues with punctuality. The withheld recommendation is intended to “discipline” the Witness, while leaving intact existing assignments and "privileges of service".

Witnesses may have demonstrated deficiencies that limit their usefulness for certain responsibilities that they may formerly have performed and which are typically performed by others in their position. For example, a ministerial servant who consistently seems insufficiently prepared for his meeting parts may have such assignments withheld for a time, even though he may continue serving as a ministerial servant or in some other “special privilege of service”.

Loss of "special privileges"

An elder, ministerial servant, pioneer, or other appointed Witness can lose his or her "special privileges of service" for a wide range of reasons, some of which may have been out of his immediate control. For example, an elder may be removed or choose to step aside voluntarily from his position if members of his household are not in "good standing". After resignation or removal from an appointed position, an announcement is made during the congregation's Service Meeting indicating that the person is "no longer serving", without elaboration.

Limited "privileges of service"

Active Jehovah's Witnesses may have their congregational "privileges of service" limited even without having committed a serious sin. For example, the body of elders may feel that he wronged others by some investment scheme which was not necessarily fraudulent. While Witnesses sometimes refer to field ministry, after-meeting cleanup, and other responsibilities as "privileges", the term "privileges of service" often implies a specific range of assignments assisting elders and ministerial servants with meeting demonstrations and other, typically conspicuous, responsibilities. Such limitations are usually temporary.

Marking

Members who persist in a course considered scripturally wrong after repeated counsel by elders, but who are not guilty of something for which they could be disfellowshipped, can be "marked", based on Jehovah's Witnesses' interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 3:14. Though not shunned, "marked" individuals are looked upon as bad company and social interaction outside of formal worship settings is generally curtailed. This action is intended to 'shame' the person into following a particular course of action. "Marking" is indicated by means of a talk given at the Service Meeting outlining the shameful course, but without explicitly naming any particular individual. Members who know whose actions are being discussed may then consider that individual "marked".

Discipline involving “serious sin”

List of “serious sins”

Jehovah's Witnesses consider many actions to be "serious sins", for which baptized Witnesses are subject to disfellowshipping or formal reproof. Violations for which a member can be disfellowshipped include: Abortion, adultery, apostasy, bestiality, blood transfusions, drug abuse, drunkenness, extortion, fornication, fraud, gambling, heresy, homosexual activity, idolatry, incest, interfaith activity, "loose conduct", manslaughter, murder, perverted sex relations, polygamy, pornography, sexual abuse, spiritism, theft, and use of tobacco.

Procedures

Evidence for violations that can result in congregational discipline is obtained by voluntary confession to the elders or by witnesses of the violation. A minimum of two witnesses is required to establish guilt. Members are instructed to report the serious sins of others. Failure to report a serious sin of another member is viewed as "sharing in the sins of others," a sin before God. Witnesses are instructed that pledges of confidentiality may be broken to report what they believe to be transgressions.

A congregation's body of elders considers confessions or credible allegations of serious sin, and decides whether a judicial committee will be formed to address the matter. A judicial committee, usually consisting of three elders, investigates the details of the alleged sin further. The committee arranges a formal judicial hearing to determine the circumstances of the sin, whether the accused is repentant, and to decide whether disciplinary actions will be taken.

In certain situations, a body of elders may handle a situation involving “serious sin” by a baptized Witness without a judicial committee:

• Minor or newly baptized - a minor or newly baptized Witness might commit one or two acts of "serious sin" involving tobacco or overdrinking; repercussions as for 'non-judicial' situations may still be imposed.
• Repentance - the body of elders may believe the sinner's repentance has been established and accepted. For example, if a member committed a "serious sin" several years ago, had formally repented in prayer, and the sin did not involve scheming. Witnesses are strongly discouraged from waiting years to resolve such matters; even if years have passed since the serious sin, it is typical for a judicial committee to be formed, and there may still be repercussions as for ‘non-judicial’ situations.
• Judicial abeyance - elders may become aware of a "serious sin" committed by a baptized Witness who has been inactive for some time and is not perceived as a Jehovah’s Witness. If the alleged sinner is not associating with active Witnesses, the elders may indefinitely postpone a judicial committee and formal hearing unless and until the individual renews their association with the congregation.

Judicial committee

A person accused of a serious sin is informed of the allegations and invited to attend a judicial committee meeting. The individual is permitted to bring witnesses who can speak in their defense; observers are not allowed, and the hearing is held privately even if the accused individual requests that it be heard openly so all may witness the evidence. Recording devices are not permitted at the hearing. If the accused repeatedly fails to attend an arranged hearing, the committee will proceed but will not make a decision until evidence and testimony by witnesses are considered.

The committee takes the role of prosecutor, judge and jury when handling its cases. After the hearing is opened with a prayer, the accused is invited to make a personal statement. If there is no admission of guilt, the individual is informed of the source of the charges and witnesses are presented one at a time to give evidence. Witnesses do not remain present for the entire hearing. Once all the evidence is presented, the accused and all witnesses are dismissed and the committee reviews the evidence and the attitude of the accused.

The committee may determine that there was no "serious sin", or that the circumstances surrounding it effectively absolves the accused individual. The committee may then proceed with discipline such as is described for 'non-judicial' situations; in such cases, disfellowshipping or 'reproof before onlookers' would not be necessary. Alternatively, the committee may decide that a serious sin was committed. The committee then gives verbal admonitions and gauges the individual's attitude and repentance, based on which, the committee then decides whether discipline will involve formal reproof or disfellowshipping.

Reproof

Reproof involves actions for which a person could be disfellowshipped, and is said to be an effort to 'reach the heart' and convince a person of the need to hate the sanctioned actions and repent. Reproof is considered sufficient if the individual is deemed repentant. It is given before all who have knowledge of the transgression. If the conduct is known only to the individual and the judicial committee, reproof is given privately. If the sin is known by a small number, they would be invited by the elders, and reproof would be given before the sinner and those with knowledge of the sin. If the action is known generally by the entire congregation or the wider community, an announcement is made that the person "has been reproved". A related talk is generally given, separately to the announcement, addressing the conduct but without explicitly naming the people involved.

In all cases of reproof, restrictions are imposed, typically prohibiting the individual from sharing in meeting parts, commenting during meetings, and giving group prayers. A reproved Witness cannot enroll as a pioneer or auxiliary pioneer for at least one year after reproof is given.

Disfellowshipping

All members are expected to abide by the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses, and serious violations of these requirements can result in disfellowshipping, a form of excommunication. The term is used in reference to both the act of congregational expulsion and subsequent shunning.. Disfellowshipping is not automatic, even when a person is accused of one of a "serious sins". Accusations must be substantiated by at least two witnesses, based on their understanding of Deuteronomy 17:6 and Matthew 18:16, unless the person confesses voluntarily. In these cases, a committee of elders examines the evidence and seeks to determine whether the person has ceased the questionable activity and repented. If the individual is deemed repentant, the individual is reproved, but if there is no sign of repentance, the person is disfellowshipped. A person can appeal a decision to disfellowship if they believe that a serious error in judgment has been made. Requests for appeal must be made in writing and within seven days of the decision of the judicial committee. If the decision is not appealed, an announcement is made at the Service Meeting that the named individual "is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses", without any further explanation. Shunning starts immediately after the announcement is made.

If a baptized Witness teaches contrary to Witness doctrines, it is considered apostasy and grounds for disfellowshipping. Elders usually try to reason with the individual before such action is taken. If a person believes that a teaching should be adjusted or changed, he is encouraged ‘to be patient and wait on Jehovah for change’.

All members are encouraged to have a detailed understanding of what is expected and the consequences of wrongdoing, and baptized members are expected to remain up-to-date with changing doctrines and prohibitions. There is also an effort to update members on changes in understanding on judicial matters. The stated purpose of congregation discipline, represented by the elders is to help erring ones be restored to spiritual health, to help uphold the organization's reputation, and to keep the congregation clean from wrong conduct.

Shunning

Jehovah's Witnesses shun disfellowshipped individuals, although Watch Tower Society publications use expressions similar to "withhold fellowship" far more often than expressions similar to "shun". Witnesses state that avoiding most social (and all spiritual) interaction with disfellowshipped former adherents helps to:

• avoid reproach on God's name and organization by indicating that violations of the Bible's standards in their ranks are not tolerated.
• keep the congregation free of possible corrosive influences
• coerce the disfellowshipped individual to re-evaluate their course of action, repent and rejoin the religion.

Shunning is also practiced when a member indicates, by actions or a statement, that they do not wish to be considered a Witness, referred to disassociation. This also occurs if a person joins another religion or organization that is inconsistent with Witness teachings.

In either case ("disfellowshipping" or "disassociating"), an announcement is made at the Kingdom Hall that " is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses." This announcement is made at the congregation the person attends, and sometimes at other nearby congregations where the individual is well known. Congregation members are not informed whether a person is being shunned due to "disfellowshipping" or "disassociation", nor on what grounds.

Failure to adhere to the guidelines on shunning is itself considered a serious offense. It is the practice of Jehovah's Witnesses to counsel individuals who blatantly ignore the shunning process by "speaking to or associating with a disfellowshipped or disassociated person." They are said to be making themselves "a sharer in his wicked works." Those who do not repent after associating with an expelled person, can themselves be disfellowshipped. Exceptions are made in some cases such as business relations and immediate family household situations. If the disfellowshipped person is living in the same home with other baptized family members, religious matters are not discussed, with the exception of minors, for whose training parents are still responsible. Disfellowshipped family members outside the home are shunned.

Disfellowshipped individuals can continue attending meetings held at the Kingdom Hall, though they are shunned by the congregation.

Reinstatement after disfellowshipping

Disfellowshipping is not necessarily permanent. Disfellowshipped individuals who repent of their former conduct may be reinstated into the congregation. When a disassociated or disfellowshipped individual requests reinstatement, a Judicial Committee, (the committee originally involved, if available) will try to determine whether the person has repented. Such individuals must demonstrate that they no longer practice the conduct for which they were expelled from the congregation, as well as submission to the religion's regulations. Individuals disfellowshipped for actions no longer considered gross sins, such as organ transplants, are not automatically reinstated. Meeting attendance while being shunned is considered by the organization as an important step toward eventual reinstatement. Once a decision is made to reinstate, a brief announcement is made to the congregation that the disfellowshipped member is once again one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Elders are instructed to make an attempt each year to remind disfellowshipped ones of the steps they can take to qualify for reinstatement. No specific period of time is prescribed before this can happen; in most cases, at least six months pass, though in many cases, considerably longer. In 1974, the Watch Tower Society stated that about one third of those disfellowshipped eventually return to the group, based on figures gathered from 1963 to 1973..

Legality of practice

In June 1987, the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld the Witnesses' right to disfellowship those who fail to live by the group's standards and doctrines, upholding the ruling of a lower court, finding that "shunning is a practice engaged in by Jehovah's Witnesses pursuant to their interpretation of canonical text, and we are not free to reinterpret that text … The defendants are entitled to the free exercise of their religious beliefs … The members of the Church decided to abandon have concluded that they no longer want to associate with her. We hold that they are free to make that choice."

Unbaptized publishers

An unbaptized individual who has previously been approved to share in Jehovah's Witnesses' formal ministry or participate in their Theocratic Ministry School, but who subsequently behaves in a manner considered inappropriate may lose privileges, such as commenting at meetings, receiving assignments, or even accompanying the congregation in the public ministry.

If an unbaptized individual is deemed unrepentant of actions for which baptized members might be disfellowshipped, an announcement would be made that the person is "is no longer a publisher of the good news." Such individuals were previously shunned, but formal restrictions are no longer imposed on unbaptized individuals, though association is generally curtailed. The elders might privately warn individuals in the congregation if the unbaptized person is considered to pose an unusual threat.

Critical view

Critics contend that fear of family break-up or loss causes people to remain members who might otherwise freely leave the religion. Some refuse to talk to the elders for fear of being disfellowshipped and shunned. Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that disfellowshipping is a scripturally-documented method to protect the congregation from the influence of those who practice serious wrongdoing, otherwise known as "worldly" people. Jehovah's Witnesses have no provision for conscientious objectors who freely leave to have any continued normal associations. The only way to officially leave the religion is to write a letter requesting to be disassociated or to be disfellowshipped, but both entail the same set of prohibitions and penalties. Critics further contend the judicial process itself, due to its private and nearly autonomous nature, directly contradicts the precedent found in the Bible and the organization's own teachings and can be used in an arbitrary manner if there is consensus among just a few to abuse their authority.

According to Raymond Franz, a letter dated September 1, 1980, from the Watch Tower Society to all Circuit and District overseers advises that one who "merely disagrees in thought with any of the Watch Tower Society's teachings is committing apostasy and is liable for disfellowshipping." Watch Tower publications indicate that some type of action is required for a member to be disfellowshipped, rather than a 'disagreement in thought'. However, revealing doubts about Witness doctrines concerns to elders without necessarily promoting them to the rest of the congregation may be viewed as constituting such action. While it is true that the letter in question states that one does not have to “promote” different doctrines to be an apostate, it also makes it clear that elders need to exercise “discernment” to figure out whether one is a “trouble making apostate” or not.

References

1. "Speak What “Is Good for Building Up”", “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love”, page 142-143
2. "Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation", Organized to Do Jehovah's Will, page 151
3. Our Kingdom Ministry, Service meeting schedule, 1992-2009
4. "Question Box", Our Kingdom Ministry, March 1972, page 4
5. "Do You Accept Jehovah’s Help?", The Watchtower, December 15, 2004, page 21
6. "Charisma—Praise to Man or Glory to God?", The Watchtower, February 15, 1998, page 27
7. "How Christian Shepherds Serve You", The Watchtower, March 15, 1996, page 27
8. "Announcements", Our Kingdom Ministry, June 2005, page 3
9. "Guidelines for School Overseers", Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education, ©2001 Watch Tower, page 284, subheading "Making Assignments"
10. Jehovah's Witnesses use the term "special privileges of service" for positions requiring formal appointment or approval, such as elder, ministerial servant, pioneer, Bethel (branch) service, and schools such as Gilead and Ministerial Training School; “Make Room for It”, Our Kingdom Ministry, April 2003, page 1
11. Draw Close To Jehovah chap. 26 pp. 268-269 par. 22
12. The Watchtower 10/15/96 p. 21 par. 7 Father and Elder—Fulfilling Both Roles
13. "Announcements", Our Kingdom Ministry, February 1991, page 7
14. "Let Discernment Safeguard You", The Watchtower, March 15, 1997, page 19
15. "Let Your Advancement Be Manifest", Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook, page 191
16. "Are You Reaching Out?", The Watchtower, September 1, 1990, page 23
17. ^ The Watchtower 4/15/85 p. 31 Questions From Readers
18. "Apostasy" includes publicly challenging the religion's teachings
19. "Questions from Readers: What does the expression 'loose conduct' as found at Galatians 5:19 mean?". (September 15, 1973). The Watchtower, p. 574, "It is not limited to acts of sexual immorality. And, rather than relating to bad conduct of a somewhat petty or minor nature, it apparently describes acts that reflect a brazen attitude, one that betrays disrespect, disregard or even contempt for standards, laws and authority. The ‘looseness' of the conduct, therefore, is not due principally to weakness but results from an attitude of disrespect, insolence or shamelessness."
20. "Honor Godly Marriage!", The Watchtower, March 15, 1983, p. 31
21. Watchtower 7/15/06 p. 31 Questions From Readers; “But not all viewing of pornography calls for a hearing before a judicial committee. … However, suppose a Christian has secretly viewed abhorrent, sexually degrading pornography for years and has done everything possible to conceal this sin. Such pornography might feature gang rape, bondage, sadistic torture, the brutalizing of women, or even child pornography. When others become aware of his conduct, he is deeply ashamed. He has not been brazen, but the elders may determine that he has ‘given himself over’ to this filthy habit and has practiced ‘uncleanness with greediness,’ that is, gross uncleanness. A judicial committee would be formed because gross uncleanness is involved. The wrongdoer would be disfellowshipped if he did not display godly repentance“
22. Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock, p. 111
23. August 15, 1997 Watchtower, p. 27
24. Insight in the Scriptures, Volume 2, p. 969.
25. "A Time to Speak--When?" Watchtower, September 1, 1987, pp. 12-15
26. "New Arrangements for Congregation Organization", Our Kingdom Ministry, September 1977, pages 5-6
27. "“Gifts in Men” to Care for Jehovah’s Sheep", The Watchtower, June 1, 1999, page 14
28. "Elders, Judge With Righteousness", The Watchtower, July 1, 1992, page 16
29. "Disfellowshipping—A Loving Provision?", The Watchtower, July 15, 1995, page 25
30. "Jehovah’s Sheep Need Tender Care", The Watchtower, January 15, 1996, page 18
31. "Questions From Readers", The Watchtower, July 15, 2006, pages 30-31"
32. "Question Box", Our Kingdom Ministry, October 1972, page 8
33. "Make Wise Use of Your Christian Freedom", June 1, 1992, page 19
34. "“A Time to Speak”—When?", The Watchtower, September 1, 1987, page 14
35. ^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and All the Flock, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1991, page 110-120.
36. Raymond Franz, In Search of Christian Freedom, Commentary Press, 2007, page 321.
37. It is unclear whether accused individuals have always had the option to call witnesses. The judicial committee hearing accusations that resulted in the disfellowshipping of Canadian Witness James Penton in February 1981 refused Penton's request to have a lawyer present and to call witnesses. See James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance (Welch Publishing, 1986, page 71).
38. M. James Penton, Apocalypse Delayed, University of Toronto Press, 1997, page 89.
39. "New Arrangements for Congregation Organization", Our Kingdom Ministry, September 1977, page 6
40. The Watchtower 12/1/76 p. 723 par. 15 How Wise Reprovers Aid Erring Ones
41. The Watchtower 9/1/81 p. 23 par. 9 Repentance Leading Back to God
42. "Imitate Jehovah—Exercise Justice and Righteousness", The Watchtower, August 1, 1998, page 17
43. The Watchtower 9/15/87 p. 13 par. 13
44. The Watchtower 9/1/81 p. 26 par. 23 Repentance Leading Back to God
45. The Watchtower 12/1/76 p. 733 par. 14 Giving Reproof “Before All Onlookers”
46. The Watchtower 12/1/76 pp. 734-735 par. 20
47. Giving Reproof "Before All Onlookers" The Watchtower December 1, 1976.
48. Organized to Do Jehovah's Will 2005, p. 152.
49. Our Kingdom Ministry March 1983, p. 3.
50. "Disfellowshiping—How to View It", The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, page 22, "Thus “disfellowshiping” is what Jehovah’s Witnesses appropriately call the expelling and subsequent shunning of such an unrepentant wrongdoer. "
51. Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock. 1991. pp. 121–122.
52. The Watchtower 6/1/98 p. 19 par. 17 “Put Up a Hard Fight for the Faith”!
53. The Watchtower September 1, 2000 page 11 “Show a waiting Attitude”
54. How Baptism Can Save Us The Watchtower Jan 15, 1989, p. 17.
55. The Watchtower 11/15/06 p. 27 par. 6 Always Accept Jehovah’s Discipline
56. In discussions of disfellowshipping, Watchtower Library 2008 (a searchable collection of many Watch Tower Society publications on CD-ROM) uses "shun-" only six times.
57. ^ "Beliefs—Frequently Asked Questions", Authorized Site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses, As Retrieved 2009-08-28, "Do you shun former members? ... If, however, someone unrepentantly practices serious sins, such as drunkenness, stealing or adultery, he will be disfellowshipped and such an individual is avoided by former fellow-worshipers. ... The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings can continue. ... Disfellowshipped individuals may continue to attend religious services and, if they wish, they may receive spiritual counsel from the elders with a view to their being restored. They are always welcome to return to the faith "
58. Jealous for the Pure Worship of Jehovah, The Watchtower September 15, 1995, p. 11.
59. The Bible's Viewpoint - Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Arrangement Awake! September 8, 1996, p. 26-27.
60. "Watchtower" 10/15/83 p. 31
61. Pay Attention to Yourselves and all the Flock, Unit 5(a) p. 103.
62. "How to Treat a Disfellowshipped Person", “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love”, ©2008 Watch Tower, page 207-208, "We do not have spiritual or social fellowship with disfellowshipped ones. ...In some instances, the disfellowshipped family member may still be living in the same home as part of the immediate household. Since his being disfellowshipped does not sever the family ties, normal day-to-day family activities and dealings may continue. Yet, by his course, the individual has chosen to break the spiritual bond between him and his believing family. So loyal family members can no longer have spiritual fellowship with him. "
63. "How Can You Help a 'Prodigal' Child?". Watchtower: 16–17. 2001. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
64. "Disfellowshiping—How to View It". Watchtower: 26. 1981. It might be possible to have almost no contact at all with the relative. Even if there were some family matters requiring contact, this certainly would be kept to a minimum {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
65. The Watchtower 4/15/91 p. 21 par. 6
66. The Watchtower 8/1/98 p. 16 par. 16 Imitate Jehovah—Exercise Justice and Righteousness
67. The Watchtower 5/1/98 p. 15 par. 10 ” True repentance comes from the heart, from the depths of our being"
68. The Watchtower 11/15/06 p. 27 par. 9 Always Accept Jehovah’s Discipline
69. The Watchtower 8/15/92 p. 31 A Step on the Way Back
70. The Watchtower 8/15/82 p. 31 A Step on the Way Back
71. Divine Mercy Points the Way Back for Erring Ones The Watchtower Aug 1, 1974, p. 466 par. 24.
72. "Discipline That Can Yield Peaceable Fruit", The Watchtower April 15, 1988, pages 26-30, Online
73. "Religion: The Right To Shun", Time magazine, June 29, 1987, Online, "The Constitution's guarantee of "free exercise," said the appeals panel, applies even to unpopular groups and practices"
74. The Watchtower 11/15/88 p. 18 par. 14 Helping Others to Worship God
75. The Watchtower 11/15/88 p. 19 par. 17 Helping Others to Worship God
76. The Watchtower 11/15/88 p. 19 par. 19 Helping Others to Worship God
77. Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom chap. 15 p. 232 “Development of the Organization Structure”
78. Insight on the Scriptures, Vol 1, p. 518; "publicity that would be afforded any trial at the gate would tend to influence the judges toward care and justice in the trial proceedings and in their decisions."
79. In Search Of Christian Freedom, Raymond Franz, 2002, and In Search of Christian Freedom, pp.374–390 'The Misuse of Disfellowshipping', Raymond Franz
80. Franz, Raymond. Crisis of Conscience. 4th ed. Atlanta: Commentary Press, 2004. pp. 341-2. ISBN 0-914675-24-9.
81. The Watchtower March 15, 1986 p.15 paragraph 17 “Do Not Be Quickly Shaken From Your Reason”; The Watchtower October 15, 1986 p. 31 Questions From Readers; The Watchtower October 1, 1989 p. 19 paragraph 14 Maintain Your Faith and Spiritual Health; Pay Attention to Yourselves and all the Flock p. 94-95; The Watchtower May 1, 2000 p.12 par. 19 Firmly Uphold Godly Teaching; The Watchtower September 1, 2000 p. 13 par. 10 Show a Waiting Attitude!; The Watchtower April 1, 1986 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers.
82. "Remain "Solid in the Faith"". The Watchtower: 19–20. 1 August 1980. Among the various causes of apostasy, one of the foremost is unquestionably a lack of faith through doubt. ... one of the basic causes of apostasy is a lack of faith through destructive doubt.

• Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from January 2008
• Beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses
• Disengagement from religion