Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for going door-to-door to spread their beliefs and convert others to their religion. However, they have strict rules about interacting with non-Witnesses, even family members who leave the faith. This article will explore what the rules say about whether Jehovah’s Witnesses can talk to non-Witnesses and what consequences they may face if they break these rules.
What do Jehovah’s Witness teachings say about associating with non-Witnesses?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are prohibited from associating with non-Witnesses except when preaching to them or for required interactions at school or work. This teaching comes from their interpretation of Bible verses like 1 Corinthians 15:33 which says: “Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.”
Witnesses are taught that non-believers live immoral and worldly lives. Associating with them can lead Witnesses to temptation and sin. The Witness leadership warns against developing close friendships with non-Witnesses. Even casual association is discouraged.
Exceptions for preaching and family relations
The main exceptions are that Witnesses are encouraged to associate with non-Witnesses for the purpose of preaching and trying to convert them. They are also permitted normal contact with non-Witness family members they live with, but are still discouraged from close emotional relationships with relatives outside the faith.
What happens if a Witness associates with non-Witnesses?
Witnesses who disregard the prohibition on associating with non-Witnesses face various sanctions from congregational elders. These escalate from counsel and warnings to public reprimand and removal from leadership positions for more serious or repeat offenders.
Disfellowshipping
In extreme cases, Witnesses who refuse to stop associating with non-Witnesses can be disfellowshipped, the harshest punishment in the religion. Disfellowshipping involves cutting off virtually all social contact with the expelled member, even family.
Disfellowshipping is typical for cases like a Witness marrying a non-Witness or celebrating a holiday. But it can also apply for routine association with non-believers or criticizing the religion’s rules. Disfellowshipping lasts until the person shows repentance.
How this affects relationships with non-Witness relatives
The prohibition on association with non-Witnesses strains relationships with relatives who leave the religion or never joined. The Witness is expected to severely limit or cut off normal family association.
Shunning former members
Contact with disfellowshipped family is restricted to only necessary communication on family business or emergencies. The Witness cannot have social interaction or eat meals with the relative until they are reinstated in the congregation. Witnesses believe this shunning may pressure the person to return to the faith.
Avoiding “holiday” celebrations
Witnesses also cannot participate in any celebrations like birthday or holiday parties with non-Witness relatives. They believe these violate Bible principles. Refusing to attend a relative’s wedding or celebration can cause family rifts.
How strictly this is enforced varies
Not all Witnesses follow these rules equally. Some bend them to maintain family ties. But there is pressure from elders and the community to conform. Violations can trigger discipline. So many obey out of fear.
High control group
Critics call the Witnesses a high control group because of rigid rules like shunning. But members see such discipline as upholding Bible standards and keeping the organization pure. They believe the threat of losing one’s community and family through disfellowshipping is important motivation to avoid bad influences.
What forms of communication are allowed with disfellowshipped ones?
Disfellowshipping does not totally forbid communication with the expelled person. But it extremely limits social and spiritual association to pressure them to return. Some key things to know:
Immediate family household
– Witnesses living in the same home as the disfellowshipped person can communicate on household matters and eating together is allowed. But no spiritual or social communication.
Necessary family business
– Communication on family logistics like child custody, finances, care of elderly parents, etc. is permitted but kept minimal.
No casual socializing
– That means no small talk, catching up, chatting about interests or relationships. Conversations must be business-like.
Extreme shunning at congregational events
– If the disfellowshipped one attends a Kingdom Hall meeting, Witnesses will not even make eye contact with them and leave immediately if they try to engage.
| Type of Communication | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Small talk | No |
| Catching up socially | No |
| Discussing family logistics like child custody | Yes |
| Eating meals together in same household | Yes |
| Daily communication if living together | Yes |
Why are there these limits on communication?
The Witnesses base their extreme shunning practices on Bible verses advising to expel unrepentant wrongdoers from the congregation (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). They aim to keep the organization spiritually clean. But there are other reasons:
Punishment and behavior control
– Shunning by family inflicts severe emotional pain to pressure conformity to the group’s beliefs and control behavior.
Avoid “bad association”
– They believe any normal socializing with disfellowshipped ones risks exposing Witnesses to dangerous ideas and temptations to sin.
Reinforce psychological captive state
– Cutting off nonconforming relatives helps create a mindset dependent on the congregation for community and self-worth.
Deter other members from dissent
– Public shunning of former members makes an example of them and deters other Witnesses from dissenting.
What communication is allowed with disfellowshipped family?
The Witnesses’ policy on family contact with expelled relatives allows for limited communication on necessary matters but aims to avoid any social association. Key things to know:
Normal contact if living together
– Normal communication on household matters is permitted if the family lives together. But no discussions about spiritual matters or association.
Necessary family business
– Contact is allowed on logistical topics like finances, medical needs, care of elderly parents, divorce, child custody, etc.
Extreme restriction at Witness activities
– At the Kingdom Hall, Witnesses ignore and avoid disfellowshipped ones. If they try to engage, members immediately walk away.
No casual chatting
– Conversations must be purely transactional, like discussing a billing matter. No pleasantries, catching up or discussing interests.
Conclusion
The Jehovah’s Witness leadership imposes extensive restrictions on members talking to non-Witnesses, even family. Casual association is prohibited and Witnesses must shun dissenting relatives. This causes deep rifts with nonconforming loved ones but members view these sacrifices as necessary to please God. In reality, the harsh shunning policy enables control of behavior, conformity and organizational allegiance. But most devout Witnesses are willing to endure the emotional pain of cutting off relatives to maintain their standing in the faith.