MAIN POINTS:
THERE ARE ONLY 11 SERIOUS SINS THAT CAN LEAD TO DISFELLOWSHIPPING.
ONLY WHEN A PERSON IS PERMEATED BY ONE OF THESE SINS AND CONTINUES TO PRACTICE IT DOES HE DESERVE TO BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED.
THE ONLY QUESTION THAT SHOULD BE ASKED AT THE MEETING OF THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE IS WHETHER THE SIN IS STILL PRACTICED.
IF THE SIN IS NOT STILL PRACTICED, IT IS AGAINST THE BIBLE TO DISFELLOWSHIP THE SINNER. REGARDLESS OF HOW SERIOUS THE SIN IS AND HOW OFTEN IT HAS BEEN COMMITTED, IF THE BROTHER HAS STOPPED DOING THE SIN AND HAS ASKED JEHOVAH TO FORGIVE HIM, HE SHOULD NOT BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED.
REVIEW OF THE ARTICLES
THE NATURE OF THE DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES IN 1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTERS 5 AND 6 AND ELSWEHERE (Important article)
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/wp-admin/post.php?post=16665&action=edit&lang=en)
KEY WORDS: ONLY PERSONS WHO ARE HARDENED IN WRONGDOING AND WHO ARE PRACTICING LAWLESSNESS SHALL BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED — NOT THOSE WHO COMMIT A SERIOUS SIN ONE OR FIVE TIMES.
The article gives linguistic evidence that the nine nouns and the substantivized adjective in 1 Corinthians 5 and 6 do not refer to serious sinful actions but to the characteristics and nature of the persons referred to. This means that a person should not be disfellowshipped because he has done one of the serious sins mentioned one, two, or five times. Only persons who are permeated by the serious, sinful actions and who are practicing one of them deserve to be disfellowshipped.
The seven disfellowshipping offenses mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6, can be subsumed into four groups, 1) sexual immorality, 2) afflicting other persons, 3) dishonoring the congregation, and 4) the worship of idols.
In view of all the bad actions that exist, why are there only 11 serious actions that can lead to disfellowshipping when someone is permeated with one of them? The 11 disfellowshipping actions are compared with the ten commandments, which are the core of the law of Moses. It is shown that the 11 disfellowshipping offenses cover the same important situations as the Ten Commandments do.
DISFELLOWSHIPPING IN THE BIBLICAL WAY
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/wp-admin/post.php?post=16085&action=edit&lang=en)
MAIN POINTS: THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE’S INSTRUCTION REGARDING THE TREATMENT OF SINNERS CONTRADICTS THE BIBLE.
The article presents two quotations from the Watchtower showing that the Governing Body has no right to make laws in addition to those found in the Bible:
It would therefore be wrong in such matters to try to extract from someone else, from a body of elders or from the governing body of the Christian congregation, some rule or regulation that ‘draws the line’ on matters. Where God’s Word does not itself ‘draw the line,’ no human has the right to add to that Word by doing so. (The Watchtower of October 1, 1972, page 589)
Holding to the Scriptures, neither minimizing what they say nor reading into them something they do not say, will enable us to keep a balanced view toward disfellowshipped ones. (The Watchtower of August 1, 1974, page 472)
It is shown that only when persons are permeated by one of the 11 disfellowshipping actions and have practiced it over time, do they deserve to be disfellowshipped. The example with the Greek word pornē (“prostitute”) is used. A woman is not a prostitute by practicing sexual immorality one or five times.
It is shown that the way the judicial committee interrogates a sinner is wrong.
The article uses the example of drug addicts who want to quit their habit to show how far-reaching Jehovah’s mercy is.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES
| pleonektēs | An Exploiter (Wrongly written in the Elders’ book as “Greed,” 1 Cor. 6:10). |
| pornos | A man or woman who practices illicit sexual intercourse. (1 Cor. 6:9) |
| methysos | A drunkard. (1 Cor. 6:10) |
| eidōlolatrēs | One who participates in idol worship. (1 Cor. 6:9) |
| loidoros | A reviler, an abusive person. (1 Cor. 6:10) |
| harpax | An extortioner, robber. (1 Cor. 6:10) |
| kleptēs | A thief. (1 Cor. 6:10) |
| anatrepō | One who is spreading false teachings. (2 Tim. 2:18; 1 Tim 1:20) |
| hairesis | One who is making or promoting a sect. (Titus 3:10) |
| planos | One who is joining another religious organization. (2 John 7, 10) |
| sfazō | Manslaughter — murder. (1 John 3:12) |
A REVIEW OF EACH OF THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 1: NOT “GREED” BUT “EXPLOITATION”
MAIN POINTS: THERE IS NO WORD IN HEBREW OR GREEK WITH THE MEANING “GREED” (=AN INSATIABLE DESIRE FOR MORE). THE DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSE EXPRESSED BY THE GREEK WORD PLEONEKTĒS SHOULD BE TRANSLATED AS “EXPLOITER.”
The word “greed” is a desire, and no one can be disfellowshipped because of a desire — because humans cannot read hearts. Moreover, the translation of plelonektēs as “greedy person,” is wrong because a word for “greed” does not exist in Hebrew or Greek. So, pleonektēs should be translated by “exploiter.”
The meaning of the words pleonekteō, pleonektēs, and pleonexia is studied on the basis of the uses in the Septuagint and in Greek writers, as well as in the Christian Greek Scriptures.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 2: ILLICIT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
MAIN POINTS: ALL SCRIPTURES WITH PORNEIA ARE ANALYZED. THE ONLY BIBLICAL MEANING OF THE WORD IS “SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH A PERSON TO WHOM HE OR SHE IS NOT MARRIED.” ALL THE OTHER MEANINGS OF PORNEIA CLAIMED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY HAVE NO BIBLICAL BASIS.
The literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses has given porneia 12 different meanings. In contrast with this, the article shows that porneia in The Christian Greek Scriptures has only one meaning, namely “illicit sexual intercourse.” The word has three different references.
- Sexual intercourse between a married person and one to whom he or she is not married.
- Sexual intercourse between unmarried persons.
- Sexual intercourse between homosexuals.
The 12 meanings that the members of the Governing Body have wrongfully applied to porneia are listed.
DISFELLOWSHIPPING— ASCRIBING MEANINGS TO GREEK WORDS THEY DO NOT HAVE
MAIN POINTS: THE WORD THAT IS THE CAUSE OF MOST DISFELLOWSHIPPINGS IS PORNEIA(“ILLICIT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.” THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY HAVE ASCRIBED DIFFERENT MEANINGS AND REFERENCES TO THIS WORD. THE ARTICLE SHOWS THAT THE ONLY MEANING FOUND IN THE CHRISTIAN GREEK SCRIPTURES IS SEXUAL INTERCOURSE BETWEEN TWO PERSONS WHO ARE NOT MARRIED TO ONE ANOTHER.
The article discusses the meaning of porneia (“illicit sexual intercourse”) and akatarsia “gross uncleanness” “uncelannes with greediness,” and aselgeia (“brazen conduct”)
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 2: ILLICIT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2023/12/04/disfellowshipping-on-the-basis-of-human-ignorance-the-case-of-porneia/)
MAIN POINTS: THE TWELVE DIFFERENT MEANINGS THAT MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY FALSELY HAVE APPLIED TO PORNEIA ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL WITH QUOTATIONS FROM THE WATCHTOWER.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 3 (I) DRUNKENNESS AND DRUG INTOXICATION
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/11/27/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-3-i-drunkenness-and-drug-intoxication/)
MAIN POINTS: INTOXICATION BY ALCOHOL AND HARD DRUGS ARE INCLUDED IN THE GREEK WORD METHYSOS (DRUNKARD). ONLY PERSONS WHO ARE PERMEATED BY DRUNKENNESS SHOULD BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED.
The article shows why intoxication by hard drugs is included in the expression “drunkard.” The judicial committee has no right to ask the sinner whether he or she has works proving that he or she has repented. The reason is that repentance and forgiveness are between the sinner and Jehovah.
The only pertinent issue is whether the brother or sister has stopped practicing drunkenness and asked Jehovah for his forgiveness? If the answer is yes, the person should not be disfellowshipped. If the answer is no, he or she should be disfellowshipped.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 3 (II) DRUNKENNESS AND DRUG INTOXICATION
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2023/12/30/the-governing-bodys-criminal-negligence-and-bloodguilt-introduction/)
MAIN POINTS: DRUG ADDICTION CAUSES A DISEASE IN THE BRAIN, AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO QUIT THE HABIT. THE SHUNNING OF DISFELLOWSHIPPED WITNESSES PREVENTS THE NEEDED HELP AND HAS LED TO A GREAT NUMBER OF DEATHS. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY HAVE SHOWN “CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE” AND MAY HAVE BLOODGUILT.
The article includes numerous quotations on drug abuse. They show that drug abuse causes a disorder in the brain, and it is extremely difficult to come clean. To quit the abuse, continuous help from others is necessary. But the laws of the Governing Body regarding shunning prevent this help. These laws have, over the years, led to many deaths, and it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the members of the Governing Body have shown “criminal negligence” and may have bloodguilt.
There is an account of a drug abuser who quit his habit and became reinstated. The use of methadone was prohibited, but if he had been able to use this medicine, he probably would not have died from an overdose one year after his reinstation.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 4: IDOLATRY (EIDŌLOLATRĒS)
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/02/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-4-idolatry-eidololatres/)
MAIN POINTS: THE ARTICLE SHOWS THAT THE DEFINITION OF IDOLATRY MADE BY THE GOVERNING BODY DOES NOT ACCORD WITH THE BIBLE.
Statues, figures, and pictures in people’s homes are not idols if people do not view them as such.
The Christian view of meat offered to idols in Corinth is discussed in detail. The Christmas tree is not an idol in itself. Only when it is venerated, such as walking around it and singing songs to it, is it an idol.
Saluting the flag is not an act of idolatry. But it is an expression of respect and loyalty to the country in which a person is living.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 5: REVILING, CURSING (LOIDOROS)
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/05/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-5-reviling-cursing-loidoros/)
MAIN POINTS: THE USE OF GREEK WORD LOIDOROS AND COGNATE WORDS IN THE SEPTUAGINT AND THE CHRISTIAN GREEK SCRIPTURES ARE ANALYZED. THE MEANING IS “REVILE,” “ABUSE,” “CURSE.” WHEN A CHRISTIAN IS PERMEATED BY THESE ACTIONS AND PRACTICES THEM, HE DESERVES TO BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED FROM THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 6: EXTORTION OR ROBBERY (HARPAX)
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/08/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-6-extortion-or-robbery-harpax/)
MAIN POINTS: THE GREEK WORD HARPAX IS A SUBSTANTIVIZED ADJECTIVE WITH THE MEANING “EXTORTION” OR “ROBBERY”. THE WORD WAS PREVIOUSLY WRONGLY APPLIED TO GAMBLING. TODAY IT IS WRONGLY APPLIED TO “TOO HIGH BRIDE PRIZE.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 7: THIEVERY (KLEPTĒS)
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/08/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-6-extortion-or-robbery-harpax/)
MAIN POINTS: THE GREEK WORD KLEPTĒS IS AN AGENT NOUN, WHICH SHOWS WHAT A PERSON IS, HIS OCCUPATION, OR CHARACTERISTICS. A MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATIONS WHO PRACTICES THIEVERY DESERVES TO BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 7: THIEVERY (KLEPTĒS)
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/17/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-8-spreading-false-teachings-anatrepo/)
MAIN POINTS: HYMENAEUS AND PHILETUS SPREAD FALSE TEACHINGS, AND THEY WERE SUBVERTING THE FAITH OF SOME. PAUL SAYS THAT THEY “WERE HANDED OVER TO SATAN.” THIS SHOWS THAT SPREADING FALSE TEACHINGS IS A DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSE.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 9; PROMOTING A SECT (HAIRESIS) I
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/21/16752/)
MAIN POINTS: THE ARTICLE SHOWS THAT, CONTRARY TO THE VIEW OF THE GOVERNING BODY, “CAUSING DIVISIONS” AND “PROMOTING SECTS” ARE DIFFERENT ACTIONS. THE FORMATION OF A SECT IS A DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSE. BUT CAUSING DIVISIONS CAN IN SOME SITUATIONS BE JUSTIFIED.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 9; PROMOTING A SECT (HAIRESIS) II
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/21/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-9-promoting-a-sect-hairesis-ii/)
MAIN POINTS: IT IS SHOWN THAT IN SOME SITUATIONS IT ACCORDS WITH THE TRUTH TO MAKE DIVISIONS. IT IS FURTHER SHOWN THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY IN SOME INSTANCES HAVE DEVIATED FROM THE TRUTH, AND THEY ARE GUILTY OF THE SAME WRONG ACTIONS AS WERE THE SUPERFINE APOSTLES IN CORINTH.
The main part deals with superfine apostles in Corinth who violated the truth of the Scriptures in four ways, according to 2 Corinthians chapter 12:
- They had elevated themselves to the position of apostles of Jesus (verses 12, 13).
- They preached another Jesus that the One preached by Paul (verse 4).
- They presented another spirit than the one presented by Paul (verse 4).
- They misled the members of the congregation in Corinth (verse 3).
The present members of the Governing are guilty of the same deviations from the truth as were the superfine apostles.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 10; JOINING ANOTHER RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION (PLANOS)
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/28/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-10-joining-another-religious-organization-planos/)
MAIN POINTS: THERE ARE TWO REASONS WHY JOINING ANOTHER RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION IS A DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSE: THIS MEANS JOINING A SECT, AND IT MEANS TO ACCEPT FALSE TEACHINGS.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 11: MANSLAUGHTER (SFAZŌ) I
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/28/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-11-manslaughter-sfazo/)
MAIN POINTS: A CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED FOR WHAT HE IS AND FOR NOT WHAT HE DOES. ONLY PERSONS WHO ARE PRACTICING LAWLESSNESS SHOULD BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED. HOW THIS APPLIES TO A MURDERER IS DISCUSSED.
THE 11 DISFELLOWSHIPPING OFFENSES 11: MANSLAUGHTER (SFAZŌ) II
(https://mybelovedreligion.no/2024/12/28/the-11-disfellowshipping-offenses-11-manslaughter-sfazo/)
MAIN POINTS: LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION, AND KILLING A FERTILIZED EGG, AN EMBRYO, OR A FETUS IS THE SAME AS MANSLAUGHTER. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY.” BLOODGUILT CAN LEAD TO DISFELLOWSHIPPING. BUT THIS IS NOT BASED ON THE BIBLE. THE GOVERNING BODY MAY HAVE BLOODGUILT BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING.
- The prohibition against different blood fractions, such as red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma.
- The prohibition against storing one’s own blood.
- Seventy-eight percent of the disfellowshipping offenses are made up and invented by the members of the Governing Body. When a brother or sister is disfellowshipped because of one of these human commandments and commits suicide, the members of the Governing Body may have bloodguilt.
- The 40-year-long prohibition against methadone, and the prohibition against the support of family and friends of drug addicts who wants to quit their habit, have resulted in thousands of deaths. This has caused bloodguilt.
- The four-year-long prohibition against the infusion of Factor VIII may have caused the deaths of hemophiliacs. This may have caused bloodguilt.
