Pat’s Story: Shunning, A Step Too Far in the Wrong Direction

This is the personal and true account of Pat (Real name) from Ireland. He is an active or inactive member and made this submission on July 25, 2021 at 3:32 pm by completing the survey on the web page, Tell Your Story.

Me and Jehovah’s Witnesses

The highest position I reached in the organization is Ministerial Servant. I am faded and have been so for 15 years.

Other positions I’ve held include Auxiliary Pioneer.

I was baptized when I was between 30 to 39 years of age.

To Be Shunned

I think long-term shunning has a detrimental effect on a person’s emotional, mental and/or physical well-being.

I neither agree or disagree with Jehovah’s Witnesses’ practice of shunning.

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ practice of shunning has adversely affected me somewhat.

I would like Jehovah’s Witnesses to end shunning.

I would reach out to those I shun if Jehovah’s Witnesses ended the practice.

I would see shunning as an inappropriate and excessively used tool to control one’s behaviour in favour of reaching out and genuinely helping those who have strayed and need help, encouragement and support.

Sadly it has become a blunt weapon on many occasions causing untold emotional and psychological damage, often leading to mental despair, in particular to young families and younger members of the congregations.

Final Comments

If the JW organisation is in denial of the many publicised articles and personal accounts caused by the practice of shunning , then why does it go to such lengths to deny the practice in legal settings and yet qualify its use within the organisation by stating that it’s a ‘loving’ provision by God?

Thanks for reading,
Pat