Shunning: what the policy entails and what it means in practice

Shunning — the avoidance of disfellowshipped or withdrawn members — is one of the most far-reaching aspects of the JG policy for people who leave the organization. This article explains what the policy entails, what it is based on, and what it means in practice. The biblical basis The organization bases the shunning policy on texts such as 1 Corinthians 5:11 and 2 John 10, which speak about not associating with "someone who sins" or not receiving "false teachers." Theologians and Bible scholars interpret these texts very differently; the JG explanation is specific to their doctrinal framework. Who is shunned? Officially, there are two categories: Disfellowshipped people (disfellowshipped): After a formal disciplinary process People who resign themselves (disassociated): Those who send a letter themselves saying that he or she is leaving the organization Anyone who only "fades" (gradually becomes less active without a formal decision) does not officially fall under the shunning policy — although some congregation members may still reduce contact informally. The 2022 clarification In August 2022, the governing body published an adjustment through a talk at the international convention. Co-resident family members — parents and children living at home, spouses — may maintain more contact with a disfellowshipped housemate than was previously taught. However, this was already the informal practice in some congregations. The practice still varies greatly. What it means in practice For most people, shunning has major consequences: Friends of decades cut off all contact Brothers, sisters, parents, or children who are active no longer speak to you You are ignored in the store, on the street, at family gatherings Invitations to family occasions (weddings, funerals) are sometimes not sent Is shunning legal? In the Netherlands and the rest of the EU, shunning as such is not prohibited. Religious communities have the right to apply their own membership rules, even if these have social consequences. The UN Human Rights Committee has made recommendations about the limitations that such practices can place on the right to leave a religion. Dealing with shunning There is no simple solution. What helps people varies: some seek a substitute community, others focus on building a life free from that expectation. Many people describe the pain as changing over time — becoming less acute, although the grief rarely disappears completely.