Shunning and family1950s1970s1980s2010s2020sEvidence collection
Kanıt derlemesi
Shunning, discipline and family separation
Kuruluşun kendi yayınlarının, biri cemaatten çıkarıldığında ya da kendi isteğiyle ayrıldığında üyelere ne yapmalarını söylediği, durum durum ve kesin biçimde; 2024'teki değişiklikler ve bu değişikliklerin dokunmadan bıraktıkları; kuruluşun gerekçesi; mahkemelerin, bir resmî soruşturmanın ve araştırmacıların tespitleri.
Son gözden geçirme: 19. Eylül 2026
Kısaca
Since 1952 members have been required to avoid fellowship with expelled members; since 1981 the same treatment has applied to anyone who leaves voluntarily (‘disassociation’); the announcement for both is now the same sentence.Source: The Watchtower, 1. Mart 1952Source: The Watchtower, 15. Eylül 1981
From 1981 to March 2024 the rule was not even to greet such a person. Since 15 March 2024 a ‘simple greeting’ and an invitation to a meeting are conscience matters; socialising, eating together and ‘extended conversation’ remain forbidden.Source: jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 15. Mart 2024
Inactive members who simply stop attending are not shunned by published rule; a person who wants to be free of the organisation’s discipline must disassociate, and is then treated as removed.Source: Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), 2019
Yayımlanmış kurallar: kategorilere göre, 2024 öncesi ve sonrası
Kimin kim olduğu konusunda titiz olun. Kuruluşun yayınları bu grupları farklı ele alır; onu anlatan her metin de öyle yapmalıdır.
Contact rules by category (published wording, paraphrased where marked)
Category
Before March 2024
After March and August 2024
What did not change
Sources
Removed (“disfellowshipped”) adult, not a relative
No spiritual or social fellowship, “not even eating”; no greeting (a “simple ‘Hello’” warned against). Persistent association could itself be a judicial matter.
Conscience may allow “a simple greeting” and a welcome at a congregation meeting, and an invitation to a meeting. Elders follow up after “a few months”.
“Stop keeping company … not even eating”; no socialising; no “extended conversation”; announcement wording unchanged.
1981: “viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped”; 2019: “treated in the same way as a disfellowshipped person”. The announcement wording is now identical for both.
No published change; 2024 texts use “removed” for both.
Same treatment as removed. Norway’s Supreme Court records shunning of both groups as current practice.
1981: “avoid needless association”. 1988: “almost no contact at all … kept to a minimum”. 2008: “do not look for excuses”. 2013: not by e-mail. 2017: no “telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media”.
No published revision. The conscience greeting applies to meetings. In 2026 the organisation did not dispute in court that the threshold for contact is “relatively high”.
And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?
The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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
Despite our pain of heart, we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media.
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: In August 2024 the organisation said 'In the past, we would not greet such a person' and made a simple greeting at meetings a conscience matter, while restricting 2 John 9-11 to apostates.
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
Par. 21-23 (pp. 24-25) apply 2 John 9-11 to expelled persons; par. 13-16 create the category of disassociation (by statement or by joining an organisation contrary to the Bible) and direct that such persons be 'viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped'; par. 27 says a member who will not cease fellowship with an expelled person 'must be removed from the congregation'.
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
Household: 'normal day-to-day family activities and dealings may continue'; parents may study with a disfellowshipped minor at home. Quotes the 1981 'simple Hello' passage. Footnote a: principles 'apply equally to those who disassociate themselves'. WOL copy is the 2014 printing.
15. Nisan 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
Household relatives: 'normal family affections and dealings can continue' (par. 13). Reports the outcome of Paul v. Watchtower and concludes a shunned person 'cannot recover damages ... the person is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions' (par. 20). Footnote a: 2 John 11 'could well mean not to say even "hello" to such ones'.
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: The 1988 Watchtower said a person who disassociates 'is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions'.
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
Par. 21-23 (pp. 24-25) apply 2 John 9-11 to expelled persons; par. 13-16 create the category of disassociation (by statement or by joining an organisation contrary to the Bible) and direct that such persons be 'viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped'; par. 27 says a member who will not cease fellowship with an expelled person 'must be removed from the congregation'.
10. Haziran 1987 · pp.819 F.2d 875 · paras 1, 11-12, 23, 36-37 (as numbered in the Public.Resource.Org text) · United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
“Although we recognize that the harms suffered by Janice Paul are real and not insubstantial, permitting her to recover for intangible or emotional injuries would unconstitutionally restrict the Jehovah’s Witnesses free exercise of religion. ... The constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of religion requires that society tolerate the type of harms suffered by Paul as a price well worth paying to safeguard the right of religious difference that all citizens enjoy.”
Facts: Paul left in 1975 after her parents were disfellowshipped; after the 1981 change, former friends 'told Paul that she was to be treated as if she had been disfellowshiped and that they could not speak with her'. Holding: 'Because the practice of shunning is a part of the faith of the Jehovah’s Witness, we find that the "free exercise" provision ... precludes the plaintiff from prevailing. The defendants have a constitutionally protected privilege to engage in the practice of shunning.' Argued 7 March 1986. Certiorari denied, 484 U.S. 926 (2 Nov 1987) (CourtListener search record opened).
Köken ve doğrulama notu for United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Paul v. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc., 819 F.2d 875 (9th Cir. 1987), No. 85-4012, Opinion by Reinhardt, Circuit Judge (Wright, Tang, Reinhardt)
Güvenilirlik notu.Full opinion text opened on law.resource.org (Public.Resource.Org copy of the Federal Reporter); wording confirmed. Justia, FindLaw and CourtListener pages were blocked or empty.
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Güvenilirlik notu.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: The current FAQ describes only the household case ('normal family affections and dealings continue') and is silent on relatives outside it.
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.26-31 · par. 11, 13, 18-19, 22-26 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Consequently, Christians related to such a disfellowshiped person living outside the home should strive to avoid needless association, even keeping business dealings to a minimum.”
Distinguishes relatives in the household (family ties remain, 'spiritual ties have been completely severed'; a disfellowshipped minor is still cared for and disciplined but parents 'would not conduct a Bible study directly with the child') from relatives outside it ('limited need to care for necessary family matters'); discusses weddings, gatherings and funerals.
15. Nisan 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
Household relatives: 'normal family affections and dealings can continue' (par. 13). Reports the outcome of Paul v. Watchtower and concludes a shunned person 'cannot recover damages ... the person is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions' (par. 20). Footnote a: 2 John 11 'could well mean not to say even "hello" to such ones'.
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
Household: 'normal day-to-day family activities and dealings may continue'; parents may study with a disfellowshipped minor at home. Quotes the 1981 'simple Hello' passage. Footnote a: principles 'apply equally to those who disassociate themselves'. WOL copy is the 2014 printing.
18. Eylül 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Güvenilirlik notu.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
Between 2008 and 2017 the organisation progressively specified the outside-household rule: 'Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home' (2008 book), 'Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail' (January 2013), and 'we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media' (October 2017). Source: “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love” (lv), 2008Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), 15. Ocak 2013Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), Ekim 2017
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: The organisation frames this as loyalty that 'has the best interests of the wrongdoer at heart'.
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
Household: 'normal day-to-day family activities and dealings may continue'; parents may study with a disfellowshipped minor at home. Quotes the 1981 'simple Hello' passage. Footnote a: principles 'apply equally to those who disassociate themselves'. WOL copy is the 2014 printing.
15. Ocak 2013 · pp.12-16 · par. 16-20 (quote at par. 19, p. 16) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else—including the family bond. ... Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail. (1 Cor. 5:11)”
Addressed to parents grieving a disfellowshipped child; the 'e-mail' sentence confirms the outside-household rule extends to electronic contact.
Ekim 2017 · pp.12-16 · par. 17-20 (quote at par. 19) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Despite our pain of heart, we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media.”
Section 'If a Family Member Leaves Jehovah'; the most explicit published list of communication channels to avoid with a disfellowshipped or disassociated relative.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for The Watchtower (Study Edition), The Truth Brings, “Not Peace, But a Sword”
Güvenilirlik notu.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 12-16 confirmed. The phrase suggested in the brief ('loyally supporting the disfellowshipping decision ... even a family member') does not occur in this article.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-w-2017-1000-not-peace-but-a-sword
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: The Norwegian majority relied on this paragraph to find that 'not... any contact with former members entails a risk of disfellowshipping'.
Nisan 2021 · ch. 12 par. 17, 44-46; ch. 16 par. 27-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (published as inquiry evidence by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, New Zealand)
“If a publisher in the congregation is known to have unnecessary association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should use the Scriptures to counsel and reason with him. ... He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he persists in openly criticizing the disfellowshipping decision.”
Par. 17(1): wilful association with disfellowshipped or disassociated non-relatives 'would warrant judicial action'; par. 44-46 on persons inactive for many years; ch. 16 par. 29-31: announcement 'It should read as follows: "[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses."', takes effect at the announcement, S-77 form sent to the Service Department.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for “Shepherd the Flock of God”—1 Peter 5:2 (ks), April 2021 revision, chapters 12, 14, 16 and 22, as produced to the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (document JHV0000012), Chapter 12 par. 17(1) and 44-46; Chapter 16 par. 27-31
Güvenilirlik notu.PDF (35 pages) downloaded from the inquiry's evidence library and text-extracted; wording confirmed. Cited as a public-inquiry exhibit, not from any leaked copy. The Norwegian Supreme Court quotes the identical par. 17 text from the 2019 edition (para 127).
Taramanın kökeni.Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand) evidence library; copyright Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Taramanın kökeni.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: August 2024: 'The purpose of that announcement is not to humiliate the wrongdoer. Rather, it is made so that the congregation can follow the Scriptural admonition to "stop keeping company"'.
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Güvenilirlik notu.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
Nisan 2021 · ch. 12 par. 17, 44-46; ch. 16 par. 27-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (published as inquiry evidence by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, New Zealand)
“If a publisher in the congregation is known to have unnecessary association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should use the Scriptures to counsel and reason with him. ... He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he persists in openly criticizing the disfellowshipping decision.”
Par. 17(1): wilful association with disfellowshipped or disassociated non-relatives 'would warrant judicial action'; par. 44-46 on persons inactive for many years; ch. 16 par. 29-31: announcement 'It should read as follows: "[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses."', takes effect at the announcement, S-77 form sent to the Service Department.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for “Shepherd the Flock of God”—1 Peter 5:2 (ks), April 2021 revision, chapters 12, 14, 16 and 22, as produced to the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (document JHV0000012), Chapter 12 par. 17(1) and 44-46; Chapter 16 par. 27-31
Güvenilirlik notu.PDF (35 pages) downloaded from the inquiry's evidence library and text-extracted; wording confirmed. Cited as a public-inquiry exhibit, not from any leaked copy. The Norwegian Supreme Court quotes the identical par. 17 text from the 2019 edition (para 127).
Taramanın kökeni.Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand) evidence library; copyright Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
Ağustos 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
18. Eylül 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Güvenilirlik notu.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?
2 John 9-11 was applied to every expelled person; in 1985 the organisation said the verse had ‘a wider application’ than to false teachers.Source: The Watchtower, 15. Temmuz 1985
15 March and August 2024
‘In the past, we would not greet such a person’
In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.
On 15 March 2024 Governing Body member Mark Sanderson announced that publishers may 'use their Bible-trained conscience' to give 'a simple greeting' to a removed person who attends a meeting, may invite such a person to a meeting, that elders will revisit removed persons 'after a few months' and visit those removed long ago, and that two elders (rather than a committee) will first meet a baptised minor and parents; he added that 'we don't socialize with those who are removed from the congregation'. Source: jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 15. Mart 2024Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), Ağustos 2024Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), Ağustos 2024
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: The organisation describes the adjustments as reflecting 'Jehovah's love and mercy' and 2 Peter 3:9.
15. Mart 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Güvenilirlik notu.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
Ağustos 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
Ağustos 2024 · pp.20-25 · par. 17-18 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“What about baptized minors—those under 18 years of age—who engage in serious wrongdoing? The body of elders will arrange for two elders to meet with the minor and his Christian parents. ... However, what if a baptized minor unrepentantly persists in a wrong course? In that case, a committee of elders will meet with him along with his Christian parents.”
The 2024 procedure for baptised minors; par. 17 confirms reproof may still be announced 'as a warning to the rest'. Quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court at para 94.
Ağustos 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
15. Mart 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Güvenilirlik notu.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Taramanın kökeni.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
18. Eylül 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Güvenilirlik notu.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
Ağustos 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
18. Eylül 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Güvenilirlik notu.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
15. Mart 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Güvenilirlik notu.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: The Norwegian Supreme Court found the 2024 process 'more considerate than previously' though 'distressing and humiliating' for a child, and not 'mental violence'.
Ağustos 2024 · pp.20-25 · par. 17-18 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“What about baptized minors—those under 18 years of age—who engage in serious wrongdoing? The body of elders will arrange for two elders to meet with the minor and his Christian parents. ... However, what if a baptized minor unrepentantly persists in a wrong course? In that case, a committee of elders will meet with him along with his Christian parents.”
The 2024 procedure for baptised minors; par. 17 confirms reproof may still be announced 'as a warning to the rest'. Quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court at para 94.
15. Mart 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Güvenilirlik notu.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Taramanın kökeni.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.26-31 · par. 11, 13, 18-19, 22-26 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Consequently, Christians related to such a disfellowshiped person living outside the home should strive to avoid needless association, even keeping business dealings to a minimum.”
Distinguishes relatives in the household (family ties remain, 'spiritual ties have been completely severed'; a disfellowshipped minor is still cared for and disciplined but parents 'would not conduct a Bible study directly with the child') from relatives outside it ('limited need to care for necessary family matters'); discusses weddings, gatherings and funerals.
15. Ağustos 2013 · p.8 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“parents may even study the Bible with a disfellowshipped minor who continues to live with them ... it would seem reasonable that a disfellowshipped minor could also quietly sit with his parents.”
Confirms that disfellowshipped minors at home may be studied with and may sit with parents; for adult children not at home, sitting beside relatives is 'far different' from relatives who 'needlessly seek out his company'. Cites w81 9/15 pp. 29-30 and w88 11/15 pp. 19-20.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for The Watchtower (Study Edition), Questions From Readers: Would it be appropriate for Christian parents to sit with a disfellowshipped child at congregation meetings?
Güvenilirlik notu.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page marker 8 confirmed.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-w-2013-0815-qfr-seating
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Güvenilirlik notu.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
15. Mart 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Güvenilirlik notu.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
Ağustos 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
15. Nisan 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
Household relatives: 'normal family affections and dealings can continue' (par. 13). Reports the outcome of Paul v. Watchtower and concludes a shunned person 'cannot recover damages ... the person is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions' (par. 20). Footnote a: 2 John 11 'could well mean not to say even "hello" to such ones'.
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Güvenilirlik notu.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
Par. 21-23 (pp. 24-25) apply 2 John 9-11 to expelled persons; par. 13-16 create the category of disassociation (by statement or by joining an organisation contrary to the Bible) and direct that such persons be 'viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped'; par. 27 says a member who will not cease fellowship with an expelled person 'must be removed from the congregation'.
Ekim 2016 · pp.13, 70-72 · section 7.7; endnotes 618-636 · Commonwealth of Australia (ISBN 978-1-925289-89-3, CC BY 3.0 AU)
“The Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s practice of shunning members who disassociate from the organisation has the very real potential of putting a survivor in the untenable position of having to choose between constant re-traumatisation at having to share a community with their abuser and losing that entire community altogether.”
Also: 'Even family members are instructed not to associate with a disfellowshipped or disassociated relative unless the association is unavoidable'; 'the practice of shunning is an inextricable component of the institutional response to child sexual abuse'; the organisation's submission that shunning was outside the terms of reference was rejected; Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson's evidence (14 Aug 2015) that leaving can be 'personally devastating because [a person] can lose their whole social network and their families'; p. 13 lists 'the organisation has a policy and practice of shunning those who wish to leave the organisation' among problematic policies.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Australia), Report of Case Study No. 29: The response of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd to allegations of child sexual abuse, Section 7.7 Shunning; summary of problematic policies (p. 13)
Güvenilirlik notu.Report PDF (110 pp.) downloaded from the New Zealand inquiry's mirror and text-extracted; wording and page numbers confirmed. Official host (childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au) blocked in this environment.
Taramanın kökeni.Mirror hosted by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand); Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 3.0 AU.
Notes.Official PDF (blocked here): https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/Case%20Study%2029%20-%20Findings%20Report%20-%20Jehovahs%20Witnesses.pdf
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-rc-au-2016-1000-case-study-29-report
Nisan 2021 · ch. 12 par. 17, 44-46; ch. 16 par. 27-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (published as inquiry evidence by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, New Zealand)
“If a publisher in the congregation is known to have unnecessary association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should use the Scriptures to counsel and reason with him. ... He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he persists in openly criticizing the disfellowshipping decision.”
Par. 17(1): wilful association with disfellowshipped or disassociated non-relatives 'would warrant judicial action'; par. 44-46 on persons inactive for many years; ch. 16 par. 29-31: announcement 'It should read as follows: "[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses."', takes effect at the announcement, S-77 form sent to the Service Department.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for “Shepherd the Flock of God”—1 Peter 5:2 (ks), April 2021 revision, chapters 12, 14, 16 and 22, as produced to the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (document JHV0000012), Chapter 12 par. 17(1) and 44-46; Chapter 16 par. 27-31
Güvenilirlik notu.PDF (35 pages) downloaded from the inquiry's evidence library and text-extracted; wording confirmed. Cited as a public-inquiry exhibit, not from any leaked copy. The Norwegian Supreme Court quotes the identical par. 17 text from the 2019 edition (para 127).
Taramanın kökeni.Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand) evidence library; copyright Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
The 2019 Organized book defines disassociation as either a statement that one no longer wishes to be known as a Witness or renouncing one's place 'by his actions, such as by becoming part of a secular organization that has objectives contrary to Bible teachings' (citing Isaiah 2:4 and Revelation 19:17-21); the book does not name military service, and a 1999 Questions From Readers treats voting as a personal conscience matter, so neither 'joining the military' nor 'voting' is stated in current published text as an automatic disassociating act. Source: Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), 2019Source: The Watchtower, 1. Kasım 1999Source: The Watchtower, 15. Eylül 1981
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Güvenilirlik notu.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
1. Kasım 1999 · pp.28-29 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience ... What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator.”
Current published position: voting is a matter of individual conscience, not a disassociating act. Relevant to the claim sometimes made that voting leads to disassociation.
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
Par. 21-23 (pp. 24-25) apply 2 John 9-11 to expelled persons; par. 13-16 create the category of disassociation (by statement or by joining an organisation contrary to the Bible) and direct that such persons be 'viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped'; par. 27 says a member who will not cease fellowship with an expelled person 'must be removed from the congregation'.
15. Nisan 2015 · pp.29-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“All in the congregation can show principled love by avoiding contact and conversation with the disfellowshipped person. (1 Cor. 5:11; 2 John 10, 11)”
Presents disfellowshipping as protection for the congregation and discipline for the wrongdoer; 'Julian' says of his disfellowshipped son, 'his lifestyle had put up a barrier between us'; the son returned 'after some ten years'.
15. Temmuz 1995 · pp.25-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Ever since the Christian congregation came into existence 19 centuries ago, true Christians have put up a hard fight to protect it from spiritual and moral uncleanness.”
Organisation's rationale article; opened for the 'loving provision' framing used from the 1990s onward.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for The Watchtower, Disfellowshipping—A Loving Provision?
Güvenilirlik notu.Re-opened by the independent source auditor on 19 September 2026: the online library's reference for document 1995526 is w95 7/15 pp. 25-27, so the issue is 15 July 1995 (an earlier record inferred 15 August from the document numbering); page markers 25-27 and wording confirmed.
Notes.Issue date corrected from 15 August to 15 July 1995 on 19 September 2026.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-w-1995-0715-loving-provision
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Awake!, The Bible’s Viewpoint: Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Arrangement
Güvenilirlik notu.Re-opened by the independent source auditor on 19 September 2026: the online library's reference g96 9/8 pp. 26-27 confirms the 8 September 1996 issue; page markers and wording confirmed.
Notes.Issue date confirmed 19 September 2026.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-g-1996-0908-loving-arrangement
2017 · pp.241 (Endnote 8); ch. 3 pp. 39-40 · Endnote 8; ch. 3 pars. 19-20 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When someone is disfellowshipped, we have no more dealings with that person and we stop talking to him. (1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 John 9-11)”
Ch. 3 par. 19: 'This can be very difficult if he is a friend of ours or a member of our family. But in a situation like this, our loyalty to Jehovah must be stronger than our loyalty to anyone else.' The Norwegian Supreme Court treated this 2017/2018 book as the current doctrinal statement (para 39-40). Endnotes doc: wol 1102017578.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for How to Remain in God’s Love (lvs), Chapter 3, Choose Friends Who Love God (par. 19-20) and Endnote 8, Disfellowshipping
Güvenilirlik notu.The quoted sentence is Endnote 8 of the book (online library document 1102017578, under page marker 241, the page the elders’ handbook tells elders to review); chapter 3 (document 1102017562) pars. 19-20 confirmed separately. Corrected by the independent source auditor on 19 September 2026.
18. Eylül 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Güvenilirlik notu.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
18. Eylül 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Güvenilirlik notu.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Taramanın kökeni.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
18. Eylül 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Güvenilirlik notu.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Taramanın kökeni.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
22. Mart 2014 · watchtowerinvestigated.wordpress.com
“Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?”
Attests the earlier title of the jw.org shunning FAQ. Archive hosts (web.archive.org, archive.ph) are blocked in this environment, so the earlier page could not be opened.
10. Haziran 1987 · pp.819 F.2d 875 · paras 1, 11-12, 23, 36-37 (as numbered in the Public.Resource.Org text) · United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
“Although we recognize that the harms suffered by Janice Paul are real and not insubstantial, permitting her to recover for intangible or emotional injuries would unconstitutionally restrict the Jehovah’s Witnesses free exercise of religion. ... The constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of religion requires that society tolerate the type of harms suffered by Paul as a price well worth paying to safeguard the right of religious difference that all citizens enjoy.”
Facts: Paul left in 1975 after her parents were disfellowshipped; after the 1981 change, former friends 'told Paul that she was to be treated as if she had been disfellowshiped and that they could not speak with her'. Holding: 'Because the practice of shunning is a part of the faith of the Jehovah’s Witness, we find that the "free exercise" provision ... precludes the plaintiff from prevailing. The defendants have a constitutionally protected privilege to engage in the practice of shunning.' Argued 7 March 1986. Certiorari denied, 484 U.S. 926 (2 Nov 1987) (CourtListener search record opened).
Köken ve doğrulama notu for United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Paul v. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc., 819 F.2d 875 (9th Cir. 1987), No. 85-4012, Opinion by Reinhardt, Circuit Judge (Wright, Tang, Reinhardt)
Güvenilirlik notu.Full opinion text opened on law.resource.org (Public.Resource.Org copy of the Federal Reporter); wording confirmed. Justia, FindLaw and CourtListener pages were blocked or empty.
15. Nisan 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
Household relatives: 'normal family affections and dealings can continue' (par. 13). Reports the outcome of Paul v. Watchtower and concludes a shunned person 'cannot recover damages ... the person is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions' (par. 20). Footnote a: 2 John 11 'could well mean not to say even "hello" to such ones'.
“courts can only review the decisions of public decision-makers and that private decision-makers don’t have to follow fair procedures unless an enforceable legal right is at stake”
Randy Wall, disfellowshipped in 2014, said the decision harmed his real-estate business because Witness clients avoided him; the Court held there is no free-standing right to judicial review of a religious organisation's membership decision and that disagreements about religious principles are not for the courts.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Canada, Highwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Judicial Committee) v. Wall, 2018 SCC 26, [2018] 1 S.C.R. 750, Case in Brief (official summary) and judgment (Rowe J. for a unanimous Court)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official SCC 'Case in Brief' page opened; citation, date, facts and holding confirmed. Full reasons (CanLII/Lexum) blocked in this environment, so paragraph numbers are not given.
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: The organisation submitted that shunning was 'outside the Terms of Reference and has no immediate relevance', which the Commission rejected.
Ekim 2016 · pp.13, 70-72 · section 7.7; endnotes 618-636 · Commonwealth of Australia (ISBN 978-1-925289-89-3, CC BY 3.0 AU)
“The Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s practice of shunning members who disassociate from the organisation has the very real potential of putting a survivor in the untenable position of having to choose between constant re-traumatisation at having to share a community with their abuser and losing that entire community altogether.”
Also: 'Even family members are instructed not to associate with a disfellowshipped or disassociated relative unless the association is unavoidable'; 'the practice of shunning is an inextricable component of the institutional response to child sexual abuse'; the organisation's submission that shunning was outside the terms of reference was rejected; Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson's evidence (14 Aug 2015) that leaving can be 'personally devastating because [a person] can lose their whole social network and their families'; p. 13 lists 'the organisation has a policy and practice of shunning those who wish to leave the organisation' among problematic policies.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Australia), Report of Case Study No. 29: The response of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd to allegations of child sexual abuse, Section 7.7 Shunning; summary of problematic policies (p. 13)
Güvenilirlik notu.Report PDF (110 pp.) downloaded from the New Zealand inquiry's mirror and text-extracted; wording and page numbers confirmed. Official host (childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au) blocked in this environment.
Taramanın kökeni.Mirror hosted by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand); Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 3.0 AU.
Notes.Official PDF (blocked here): https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/Case%20Study%2029%20-%20Findings%20Report%20-%20Jehovahs%20Witnesses.pdf
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-rc-au-2016-1000-case-study-29-report
“De vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen werd veroordeeld tot een geldboete van 96.000 euro voor het aanzetten tot discriminatie en haat tegen ex-leden.”
Charges under art. 22, 1°-4° of the 2007 Anti-Discrimination Act (incitement to discrimination and to hatred/violence against individuals and a group); Unia and about fifteen former members were civil parties; complaint lodged 2015 by a former member. Unia's own summary (12 Jan 2024 update, https://www.unia.be/nl/actua/gelovigen-antidiscriminatiewet) also records the 2022 acquittal and the Cassation ruling.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Unia (Belgian Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities) case-law database: Correctionele rechtbank Oost-Vlaanderen, afdeling Gent, 16 maart 2021, vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen — conviction for incitement to discrimination and hatred
Güvenilirlik notu.Unia case page and Unia news update opened; date, charges, fine and parties confirmed. The judgment text itself was not opened.
“no indication that the avoidance policy leads to generalized social isolation”
The Court of Appeal held that announcing a member's name at meetings 'can on its own not incite discrimination', that the avoidance policy does not 'literally call for discrimination ... nor literally for hate or violence', and that a religion 'may issue guidelines that strongly discourage or deem friendships sinful' provided they do not incite unlawful conduct.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Unia case-law database: Hof van beroep Gent, 7 juni 2022, Acquittal of vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen on appeal
Güvenilirlik notu.Unia case page opened (fetch tool rendered the Dutch summary in English); outcome and date confirmed; judgment text not opened. Downgraded to supported after review: the page was opened but the wording or date recorded here was tool-summarised, translated or inferred rather than confirmed by eye; re-read before upgrading.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-unia-2022-0607-ghent-court-of-appeal
“the exclusion policy does not incite breaking of bonds between parents and children or between spouses”
The Court of Cassation upheld the 2022 acquittal; it found the policy 'strongly discourages and designates as sinful' contact with ex-members but that members 'have free will to leave'.
16. Mart 2021 · Jeroen Desmecht; Hanne Decré · VRT (Belgian public broadcaster)
“De religieuze regels staan in onze maatschappij niet boven de wet.”
Reports the Ghent criminal court conviction; explains that the base fine of €12,000 is multiplied by eight (statutory 'opdeciemen') giving €96,000; names complainant Patrick Haeck (35-year member, expelled 2010) and Unia with fifteen ex-members as civil parties.
“The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ shunning policy cuts to the very core of relationships, and the victims suffer both physical and psychological consequences”
English-language report of the same judgment giving the €12,000 base figure (before the statutory multiplier); quotes civil-party lawyers and Patrick Haeck.
Ocak 2024 · pp.79-105 · Massimo Introvigne · CESNUR
““Shunning” does not apply to cohabiting relatives.”
Essay by a sociologist who defends the practice; useful only for its litigation chronology (Ghent 16 March 2021 conviction; 7 June 2022 reversal; Court of Cassation 19 December 2023).
4. Mart 2024 · sections 3.1, 3.3 (as extracted) · Oslo tingrett (published on Lovdata)
“For døpte mindreårige i den alderen vil det være tilnærmet umulig å utøve retten til fri utmelding”
Judge Ole Kristen Øverberg acquitted the State and ordered the organisation to pay costs of NOK 1,140,505, holding that the exclusion practice infringed baptised minors' right of free withdrawal and amounted to 'psykisk vold' (psychological violence); the judgment quoted the lv appendix ('Lojale kristne familiemedlemmer leter ikke etter unnskyldninger for å ha kontakt ...').
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Oslo tingrett (Oslo District Court), judgment TOSL-2022-186588 / TOSL-2023-23178, Jehovas vitner v. Staten v/Barne- og familiedepartementet
Güvenilirlik notu.Lovdata page opened via the fetch tool, which returned the case numbers, date, judge, outcome, costs and extracted Norwegian passages; the full judgment text was not read line by line, so the extracted quotations are reported as the summary gives them, and the claim they support is labelled supported. Downgraded to supported after review: the page was opened but the wording or date recorded here was tool-summarised, translated or inferred rather than confirmed by eye; re-read before upgrading.
28. Mart 2024 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The position of the State now remains that it will continue to deny legal recognition to Jehovah’s Witnesses in the country of Norway unless we change our practices regarding the removal of unrepentant wrongdoers from the congregation.”
Organisation's response to the Oslo District Court judgment of 4 March 2024; notes loss of grants and of authority to officiate weddings.
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Taramanın kökeni.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
“The State has not demonstrated in concrete terms whether, and to what extent, baptised minor members of Jehovah’s Witnesses actually experience pressure not to commit norm violations or not to withdraw, out of fear of being subjected to a disfellowshipping process ... and of losing relationships with family and friends within the religious community.”
Unanimous reversal of the District Court; findings of fact quoted in the Supreme Court judgment (para 102). The organisation was awarded costs (NOK 8.5 million per jw.org).
No online copy located.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Borgarting lagmannsrett (Borgarting Court of Appeal), judgment of 14 March 2025, Jehovas vitner v. Staten v/Barne- og familiedepartementet
Güvenilirlik notu.Judgment not opened and case number not obtained; outcome and date confirmed by the Supreme Court judgment (HR-2026-1009-A, opened), jw.org release (opened) and rett24 (opened). Quotation is the Supreme Court's English rendering of the Court of Appeal's finding.
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Taramanın kökeni.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
27. Mart 2025 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Jehovah’s Witnesses have been fully vindicated in that the decisions to deny grants and registration are invalid.”
Reports the Borgarting Court of Appeal decision of 14 March 2025 and costs of NOK 8,500,000; says limiting contact with removed members 'is not a violation of his rights' and, for minors, 'does not constitute psychological violence' (as quoted by jw.org).
Reports that the Borgarting Court of Appeal found it not shown ('ikke sannsynliggjort') that the practice of social distancing toward members who leave violates the right to exit, nor that the practice toward minors constitutes psychological violence or negative social control.
Kuruluşun tutumu ya da sonraki açıklaması: jw.org: the ruling 'protects several fundamental human rights... including freedom of religion and personal autonomy'.
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Taramanın kökeni.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
8. Mayıs 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The decision protects several fundamental human rights for all people in Norway, including freedom of religion and personal autonomy.”
Statement by Jørgen Pedersen (Scandinavia Branch Committee). A companion piece dated 30 April 2026 (jw.org/en/global-communications/country/norway/Norways-Supreme-Court-Rules-to-Protect-Citizens-Right-to-Believe/) reports costs of about NOK 11,864,000 and describes the practice as 'the removal of unrepentant wrongdoers from the congregation'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for jw.org Newsroom, Norwegian Supreme Court Issues Significant Ruling in Favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Güvenilirlik notu.Both pages opened; dates and wording confirmed. jw.org gives the decision date as 30 April 2026; the judgment itself is dated 29 April 2026.
Notes.Date discrepancy (29 vs 30 April) noted; the judgment PDF controls.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-jworg-2026-0508-norway-supreme-court-release
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Religion Clause (law blog by Prof. Howard M. Friedman), Norway’s Supreme Court Upholds Jehovah’s Witnesses State Registration and Funding
Güvenilirlik notu.Page opened; used only to locate the official judgment.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-religionclause-2026-0507-norway-supreme-court
Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.
10. Haziran 2010 · paras 109-113 · European Court of Human Rights
“as long as self-dedication to religious matters is the product of the believer’s independent and free decision and however unhappy his or her family members may be about that decision, the ensuing estrangement cannot be taken to mean that the religion caused the break-up in the family.”
Para 110: 'The domestic courts did not give examples of any forceful or threatening action on the part of the applicant community calculated to break the families of its members apart.' The passage concerns complaints by non-Witness relatives of converts, not the shunning of ex-members; the Norwegian Supreme Court (2026, para 110) said the ECtHR had not, to its knowledge, ruled on shunning of former members.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for European Court of Human Rights, Jehovah’s Witnesses of Moscow and Others v. Russia, no. 302/02, Judgment (First Section), paras 109-113
Güvenilirlik notu.HUDOC document body opened via the HUDOC conversion endpoint (https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/app/conversion/docx/html/body?library=ECHR&id=001-99221); paragraphs 109-113 read verbatim.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-echr-2010-0610-jw-moscow-v-russia
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Güvenilirlik notu.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Taramanın kökeni.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
Eski Şahitler üzerine hakem denetiminden geçmiş çalışmalar küçük ölçeklidir ya da katılımcıları kendi seçilmiştir; hiçbiri yaygınlığı kontrollü koşullarda ölçmez, dolayısıyla nedensellik çıkarılamaz. Bu çalışmalar, dışlanma ile intihar düşüncesi de dahil olmak üzere kötü ruh sağlığı arasında tutarlı biçimde ilişki bildiriyor; bunun yanı sıra zaman içinde gelişen bir toparlanma gücünden de söz ediyor. Burada kullanılan ifade ‘neden olur’ değil, ‘ilişkilidir’.
A 2021 peer-reviewed interview study of six former Witnesses (Ransom, Monk & Heim, Journal of Religion and Health) reported that ostracism after leaving 'can be associated with diminished mental health', that participants likened the loss of family and friends to grieving the living, that one participant reported two suicide attempts and another self-destructive behaviour, and that one described a son’s suicide after he was disfellowshipped. Source: Journal of Religion and Health, 61(3): 2458-2480 (online 19 Jan 2021; issue June 2022), 19. Ocak 2021
19. Ocak 2021 · pp.2458-2480 · Abstract; Results · Heather J. Ransom; Rebecca L. Monk; Derek Heim · Springer (open access, CC BY)
“Narratives suggest that experiences of ostracism following religious exit can be associated with diminished mental health, while having a sense of agency and establishing new (online) social connections may help mitigate adverse consequences.”
Six former JWs in the UK (aged 25 to 60s; disfellowshipped or disassociated), semi-structured interviews analysed with interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: 'the sudden loss of contact with loved [ones] was akin to grieving their living friends and family'; one participant reported two suicide attempts, another self-destructive behaviour, and a third described her son’s suicide after he was disfellowshipped and one a son's suicide after disfellowshipping; 'the indication is that being disfellowshipped may potentially have serious implications to physical and mental health'.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Journal of Religion and Health, 61(3): 2458-2480 (online 19 Jan 2021; issue June 2022), Grieving the Living: The Social Death of Former Jehovah’s Witnesses
Güvenilirlik notu.Open-access PDF (Deutsche Nationalbibliothek copy, https://d-nb.info/1230971017/34) downloaded and read; citation verified against Crossref and Semantic Scholar; Edge Hill repository record opened.
A 2023 interview study of ten former Witnesses (Luther, Pastoral Psychology) concluded that shunning 'has a long-term, detrimental effect on mental health, job possibilities, and life satisfaction', with loneliness, loss of control and worthlessness common after leaving. Source: Pastoral Psychology, 72(1): 105-120 (online 31 Dec 2022), 31. Aralık 2022
“Results suggest shunning has a long-term, detrimental effect on mental health, job possibilities, and life satisfaction. ... Feelings of loneliness, loss of control, and worthlessness are also common after leaving.”
Ten former JWs (USA, aged 20-44) interviewed; interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Pastoral Psychology, 72(1): 105-120 (online 31 Dec 2022), What Happens to Those Who Exit Jehovah’s Witnesses: An Investigation of the Impact of Shunning
Güvenilirlik notu.PubMed Central full text (PMC9803876) opened; abstract confirmed verbatim; citation verified against Crossref.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-luther-2023-what-happens-exit
A 2023 online survey of 424 former Witnesses in Austria, Germany and Switzerland (Thoma et al., Mental Health, Religion & Culture) reported that one third had suicidal thoughts and 10% had attempted suicide, with clinically significant symptoms and low quality of life, especially among women and those who left because of abuse. Source: Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 26(7): 644-662, 9. Ağustos 2023
9. Ağustos 2023 · pp.644-662 · Abstract · Myriam V. Thoma; Andreas Goreis; Shauna L. Rohner; Urs M. Nater; Eva Heim; Jan Höltge · Taylor & Francis (open access, CC BY)
“This study assessed a sample of former Jehovah’s Witnesses (N = 424 ... ). Most participants (66%) were born into this faith community. Half the sample left voluntarily, 21% were expelled ... One third reported suicidal thoughts; 10% had attempted suicide.”
Online survey; self-selected sample; no control group. Women and survivors of child maltreatment identified as particularly vulnerable sub-groups.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 26(7): 644-662, Characteristics of health and well-being in former Jehovah’s Witnesses in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland
Güvenilirlik notu.Publisher page returned HTTP 403; abstract and bibliographic data taken from the Semantic Scholar API record and verified against Crossref (two independent indexes). Original not opened.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-thoma-2023-health-former-jws
A 2026 UK study of 21 officially shunned former Witnesses (Grendele, Bapir-Tardy & Flax, Pastoral Psychology) found shunning 'may significantly impact individuals' physical and emotional well-being' but that most participants showed resilience and psychological growth through adaptive coping. Source: Pastoral Psychology (online 4 June 2026), 4. Haziran 2026
4. Haziran 2026 · Abstract · Windy A. Grendele; Savin Bapir-Tardy; Maya Flax · Springer (open access, CC BY)
“Twenty-one former Jehovah’s Witnesses who were officially shunned were interviewed online or by phone, and the data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. ... the majority of participants demonstrated resilience and psychological growth.”
Received 19 Feb 2026, accepted 3 May 2026. Shunning 'may significantly impact individuals’ physical and emotional well-being'; some participants initially adopted maladaptive coping.
Köken ve doğrulama notu for Pastoral Psychology (online 4 June 2026), Coping After Shunning: Experiences of Former Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United Kingdom
Güvenilirlik notu.Open-access PDF downloaded from link.springer.com and read; citation verified against Crossref.
Erişim tarihi. 19. Eylül 2026 · Kaynak kimliği.src-grendele-2026-coping-after-shunning
15. Kasım 1952 · pp.703-704 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“But to have religious communion with the disfellowshiped person—no, there would be none of that! ... Hurt to such one would not be authorized, but there would be no spiritual or religious fellowshiping.”
A ‘balanced viewpoint’: family decides about relatives
It was ‘not right to treat such ones in an inhumane way’; contact with disfellowshipped relatives outside the home is left to the family. Source: The Watchtower, 1. Ağustos 1974
Kanıtı aç A ‘balanced viewpoint’: family decides about relatives
1. Ağustos 1974 · pp.466-473 · par. 5, 9, 17-23 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“As to disfellowshiped family members (not minor sons or daughters) living outside the home, each family must decide to what extent they will have association with such ones. This is not something that the congregational elders can decide for them.”
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.26-31 · par. 11, 13, 18-19, 22-26 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Consequently, Christians related to such a disfellowshiped person living outside the home should strive to avoid needless association, even keeping business dealings to a minimum.”
15. Temmuz 1985 · pp.30-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“But the Bible elsewhere shows that this had a wider application. ... John was saying that they ought not even greet such an individual with khaiʹro, a common “good-day.””
10. Haziran 1987 · pp.819 F.2d 875 · paras 1, 11-12, 23, 36-37 (as numbered in the Public.Resource.Org text) · United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
“Although we recognize that the harms suffered by Janice Paul are real and not insubstantial, permitting her to recover for intangible or emotional injuries would unconstitutionally restrict the Jehovah’s Witnesses free exercise of religion. ... The constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of religion requires that society tolerate the type of harms suffered by Paul as a price well worth paying to safeguard the right of religious difference that all citizens enjoy.”
15. Nisan 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
15. Ocak 2013 · pp.12-16 · par. 16-20 (quote at par. 19, p. 16) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else—including the family bond. ... Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail. (1 Cor. 5:11)”
Ekim 2017 · pp.12-16 · par. 17-20 (quote at par. 19) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Despite our pain of heart, we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media.”
15. Temmuz 1995 · pp.25-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Ever since the Christian congregation came into existence 19 centuries ago, true Christians have put up a hard fight to protect it from spiritual and moral uncleanness.”
Eylül 2017 · p.8 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Watch the video Loyally Uphold Jehovah’s Judgments—Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers, and then answer the following questions: What situation tested the loyalty of Sonja’s parents? What helped them to remain loyal? How did their loyalty to Jehovah benefit Sonja?”
Ekim 2016 · pp.13, 70-72 · section 7.7; endnotes 618-636 · Commonwealth of Australia (ISBN 978-1-925289-89-3, CC BY 3.0 AU)
“The Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s practice of shunning members who disassociate from the organisation has the very real potential of putting a survivor in the untenable position of having to choose between constant re-traumatisation at having to share a community with their abuser and losing that entire community altogether.”
“courts can only review the decisions of public decision-makers and that private decision-makers don’t have to follow fair procedures unless an enforceable legal right is at stake”
“De vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen werd veroordeeld tot een geldboete van 96.000 euro voor het aanzetten tot discriminatie en haat tegen ex-leden.”
A ‘simple greeting’ at meetings becomes a conscience matter
Publishers may greet and welcome a removed person at a meeting and invite them to meetings; elders to follow up after ‘a few months’. Socialising and eating together remain excluded. Source: jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 15. Mart 2024
Kanıtı aç A ‘simple greeting’ at meetings becomes a conscience matter
15. Mart 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Ağustos 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Ağustos 2024 · pp.20-25 · par. 17-18 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“What about baptized minors—those under 18 years of age—who engage in serious wrongdoing? The body of elders will arrange for two elders to meet with the minor and his Christian parents. ... However, what if a baptized minor unrepentantly persists in a wrong course? In that case, a committee of elders will meet with him along with his Christian parents.”
“The State has not demonstrated in concrete terms whether, and to what extent, baptised minor members of Jehovah’s Witnesses actually experience pressure not to commit norm violations or not to withdraw, out of fear of being subjected to a disfellowshipping process ... and of losing relationships with family and friends within the religious community.”
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
The organisation’s framing. Note that disassociation by letter is treated identically, so a person who leaves for reasons of conscience receives the same treatment as an unrepentant wrongdoer.Source: Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), 2019
They concern greetings and invitations at meetings, follow-up visits and minors. The ‘not even eating’ rule, the announcement and the outside-household guidance are unchanged.Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), Ağustos 2024
Ayrılmayı düşünüyorsanız
Yukarıdaki kurallar, ayrılma yolunun neden önemli olduğunu gösteriyor: cemaatle ilişiğini kesme mektubu cemaatten çıkarılma gibi işlem görür, sessizce geri çekilmek ise görmez. Bkz. güvenle ayrılmak ve yardım ve destek. Bu sitedeki hiçbir şey sizin durumunuz için tavsiye değildir.
Doğrulanmadı, kullanılmadı
2016 tarihli ‘Sonja’ bölge ibadeti videosunun resmî başlığı dışındaki içeriği; Norveç’ten yapılan bir başvuruyla ilgili olduğu bildirilen 2023 tarihli bir Avrupa mahkemesi kararı; Borgarting İstinaf Mahkemesi kararının metni (bu kararın tespitleri Yüksek Mahkeme kararından alıntılanmıştır); ve ihtiyarlar el kitabının 2024 sonrasına ait herhangi bir baskısı. El kitabı yalnızca Yeni Zelanda Kraliyet Soruşturma Komisyonu’na (Royal Commission of Inquiry) ve Norveç mahkemelerine sunulan bölümlerden alıntılanmıştır; hiçbir zaman sızdırılmış kopyalardan değil.
Bu sayfada atıfta bulunulan kaynaklar
Show all 37 sources, in date order
Each opens a full record with links, provenance and a confidence note.
15. Kasım 1952 · pp.703-704 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“But to have religious communion with the disfellowshiped person—no, there would be none of that! ... Hurt to such one would not be authorized, but there would be no spiritual or religious fellowshiping.”
1. Ağustos 1974 · pp.466-473 · par. 5, 9, 17-23 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“As to disfellowshiped family members (not minor sons or daughters) living outside the home, each family must decide to what extent they will have association with such ones. This is not something that the congregational elders can decide for them.”
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
15. Eylül 1981 · pp.26-31 · par. 11, 13, 18-19, 22-26 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Consequently, Christians related to such a disfellowshiped person living outside the home should strive to avoid needless association, even keeping business dealings to a minimum.”
15. Temmuz 1985 · pp.30-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“But the Bible elsewhere shows that this had a wider application. ... John was saying that they ought not even greet such an individual with khaiʹro, a common “good-day.””
10. Haziran 1987 · pp.819 F.2d 875 · paras 1, 11-12, 23, 36-37 (as numbered in the Public.Resource.Org text) · United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
“Although we recognize that the harms suffered by Janice Paul are real and not insubstantial, permitting her to recover for intangible or emotional injuries would unconstitutionally restrict the Jehovah’s Witnesses free exercise of religion. ... The constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of religion requires that society tolerate the type of harms suffered by Paul as a price well worth paying to safeguard the right of religious difference that all citizens enjoy.”
15. Nisan 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
15. Temmuz 1995 · pp.25-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Ever since the Christian congregation came into existence 19 centuries ago, true Christians have put up a hard fight to protect it from spiritual and moral uncleanness.”
1. Kasım 1999 · pp.28-29 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience ... What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator.”
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
10. Haziran 2010 · paras 109-113 · European Court of Human Rights
“as long as self-dedication to religious matters is the product of the believer’s independent and free decision and however unhappy his or her family members may be about that decision, the ensuing estrangement cannot be taken to mean that the religion caused the break-up in the family.”
15. Ocak 2013 · pp.12-16 · par. 16-20 (quote at par. 19, p. 16) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else—including the family bond. ... Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail. (1 Cor. 5:11)”
15. Ağustos 2013 · p.8 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“parents may even study the Bible with a disfellowshipped minor who continues to live with them ... it would seem reasonable that a disfellowshipped minor could also quietly sit with his parents.”
Ekim 2016 · pp.13, 70-72 · section 7.7; endnotes 618-636 · Commonwealth of Australia (ISBN 978-1-925289-89-3, CC BY 3.0 AU)
“The Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s practice of shunning members who disassociate from the organisation has the very real potential of putting a survivor in the untenable position of having to choose between constant re-traumatisation at having to share a community with their abuser and losing that entire community altogether.”
Eylül 2017 · p.8 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Watch the video Loyally Uphold Jehovah’s Judgments—Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers, and then answer the following questions: What situation tested the loyalty of Sonja’s parents? What helped them to remain loyal? How did their loyalty to Jehovah benefit Sonja?”
Ekim 2017 · pp.12-16 · par. 17-20 (quote at par. 19) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Despite our pain of heart, we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media.”
“courts can only review the decisions of public decision-makers and that private decision-makers don’t have to follow fair procedures unless an enforceable legal right is at stake”
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
19. Ocak 2021 · pp.2458-2480 · Abstract; Results · Heather J. Ransom; Rebecca L. Monk; Derek Heim · Springer (open access, CC BY)
“Narratives suggest that experiences of ostracism following religious exit can be associated with diminished mental health, while having a sense of agency and establishing new (online) social connections may help mitigate adverse consequences.”
“De vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen werd veroordeeld tot een geldboete van 96.000 euro voor het aanzetten tot discriminatie en haat tegen ex-leden.”
Nisan 2021 · ch. 12 par. 17, 44-46; ch. 16 par. 27-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (published as inquiry evidence by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, New Zealand)
“If a publisher in the congregation is known to have unnecessary association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should use the Scriptures to counsel and reason with him. ... He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he persists in openly criticizing the disfellowshipping decision.”
“Results suggest shunning has a long-term, detrimental effect on mental health, job possibilities, and life satisfaction. ... Feelings of loneliness, loss of control, and worthlessness are also common after leaving.”
9. Ağustos 2023 · pp.644-662 · Abstract · Myriam V. Thoma; Andreas Goreis; Shauna L. Rohner; Urs M. Nater; Eva Heim; Jan Höltge · Taylor & Francis (open access, CC BY)
“This study assessed a sample of former Jehovah’s Witnesses (N = 424 ... ). Most participants (66%) were born into this faith community. Half the sample left voluntarily, 21% were expelled ... One third reported suicidal thoughts; 10% had attempted suicide.”
15. Mart 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Ağustos 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Ağustos 2024 · pp.20-25 · par. 17-18 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“What about baptized minors—those under 18 years of age—who engage in serious wrongdoing? The body of elders will arrange for two elders to meet with the minor and his Christian parents. ... However, what if a baptized minor unrepentantly persists in a wrong course? In that case, a committee of elders will meet with him along with his Christian parents.”
“The State has not demonstrated in concrete terms whether, and to what extent, baptised minor members of Jehovah’s Witnesses actually experience pressure not to commit norm violations or not to withdraw, out of fear of being subjected to a disfellowshipping process ... and of losing relationships with family and friends within the religious community.”
29. Nisan 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
4. Haziran 2026 · Abstract · Windy A. Grendele; Savin Bapir-Tardy; Maya Flax · Springer (open access, CC BY)
“Twenty-one former Jehovah’s Witnesses who were officially shunned were interviewed online or by phone, and the data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. ... the majority of participants demonstrated resilience and psychological growth.”
18. Eylül 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”