Shunning, sinners and excommunication in JW congregations

[Srecko Sostar]

3 hours ago, Nana Fofana said:

He was a loyal and faithful Jewish proselyte,

Ok Nana, but Jesus introduced worship that is quite different of those kind of worshiping he had  learned as proselyte. So what happened? Do you have some story about him? Did he continue with worshiping God as Jewish  proselyte  or as Christian? And where is Bible verse to support this or that possibility?    

[Anna]

10 hours ago, Gone Fishing said:

I am just saying that while the "unforgivable sin" is necessarily accompanied by apostasy, however it is defined, it does not follow that all apostates have committed the "unforgivable sin".

Yes, that's what I was trying to say

[Anna]

10 hours ago, Gone Fishing said:

In other words, those who apostatize can repent and turn around and experience forgiveness from Jehovah

But only if they have not committed the unforgivable sin. And we don't know who has a who hasn't. That's why I mentioned that if someone returns, that in itself an indication that they have NOT committed the unforgivable sin.

[Anna]

12 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Is it possible that reading the Bible alone can cause such damage??, Word of God would bring you or me to pagans beliefs???  

No, of course not, the Bible in itself does not do much unless the person reading it has the right motive. Atheists can read the Bible and still believe there is no God.  It has everything to do with the  attitude of the person. We know the Bible can say whatever a person wants it to say, especially when taken out of context. So someone who wants to believe the Trinity  will find support for it in the Bible as seen through their eyes. But we want the truth don't we? So we have to look at the Bible objectively and with that goal in mind, that we want the truth, no matter what it is. We need to have an open mind and hear someone out who is perhaps more knowledgeable about the Bible than we are, and then we can decide whether we will accept that persons reasoning and if it makes objective sense.

12 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

That reminds me on accusations by WT about Catholic church who do not want that laity reading the Bible and for that reason Bible was in Latin, to prevent "misunderstanding" of simple, plain, non literal people if they would read Bible alone and by that would saw how Church acting opposite to God's word. 

Very similar reasons to WT.  

Interesting thought, except Witnesses are constantly reminded to read their Bible. Plus, the simple plain people, whose mind is uncluttered by the world's philosophies and religious dogma usually grasp the plain truth of the Bible much better than those whose thoughts have been warped by those things. The truth from the Bible is very simple. What Jehovah's Witnesses teach at their core is based on that. 

[Srecko Sostar]

28 minutes ago, Anna said:

except Witnesses are constantly reminded to read their Bible.

Yes this is great. Truth is simple. But doctrines and instructions around the truth become problem. Because, they said, "We must explain you what is truth and how you need to understand this truth" :)))))))   

Catholic church in the past try to manipulate over people by not allowed or tried to disable reading of Bible. Because new age made things different than in past, new methods were introduced. Generating more and more materials, publishing plenty of books by all means. And today you can read own Bible, but there is plenty of interpretations about the meaning. Also you have problem with translations and modifications on some Bible texts, verse, lexical  problem and semantic meaning and even where must be point and comma. This and more of this are as some kind of tool how to direct people in particular direction and policy. 

[Anna]

4 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Because, they said, "We must explain you what is truth and how you need to understand this truth" :)))))))   

We have a choice whether we listen t them or not don't we?

4 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

This and more of this are as some kind of tool how to direct people in particular direction and policy. 

That is ok if we do not have a preconceived idea about which direction we want to go, but rather go the direction which we find is the most agreeable with the entire contents of the Bible, whether we like the direction or not.  What is the point of seeking truth if we are not willing to be objective?