Examining the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Shunning Policy

Jehovah’s Witnesses expect disfellowshipped members to sit at the back of the kingdom hall, alone, forbidden from conversing with other members.

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Jehovah’s Witnesses uphold a strict policy of shunning, claiming it is biblically mandated. They base this extreme form of social ostracism primarily on 1 Corinthians 5:13, often ignoring broader scriptural contexts. But does the Bible truly support the severity of their practice? A closer look at key passages reveals that their interpretation is flawed, inconsistent, and ultimately driven more by organizational control than by genuine biblical principles.

This article will explore three key issues with the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ shunning policy: membership, applicability, and severity. By comparing their approach to scripture, we will uncover how their policies contradict the teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul.

Membership: Who Is the Shunning Policy Really For?

Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that 1 Corinthians 5:13 justifies their extreme shunning practice. However, verse 11 clarifies that the discipline applies to those who “call themselves a brother” but engage in serious wrongdoing. This presents a problem for the Witnesses’ policy for 2 reasons: (1) It cannot apply to those who leave voluntarily, as they no longer consider themselves brothers. (2) It cannot apply to those who are expelled, since they, too, are no longer regarded as brothers.

The passage suggests that discipline should be directed toward those who remain within the community but persist in serious sin. Instead of cutting them off completely, the passage implies a process of restricted association—not total isolation. This aligns with the biblical concept of discipline within a faith community rather than the extreme family and social severance enforced by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Applicability: When Does Removal Actually Apply?

Another major issue with the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ interpretation is that the reasons for removal are explicitly listed in 1 Corinthians 5:11: Sexual immorality, Idolatry, Greed, Reviling (verbal abuse), Drunkenness, and Extortion.

These offenses are serious, and Paul’s list appears exhaustive, as each carries the same penalty—removal. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses disfellowship members for many reasons not listed in the Bible. This includes but is not limited to Leaving the religion, Failing to scream when being raped, Voting in elections, Accepting a blood transfusion, Celebrating certain holidays, and Smoking a cigarette.

None of these actions are mentioned in scripture as valid reasons for removal. This means that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have gone beyond biblical discipline and have created their own rules, enforcing them with devastating consequences.

Severity: A Biblical Approach vs. Extreme Shunning

Jehovah’s Witnesses claim their extreme form of shunning is scriptural, but is this true? 1 Corinthians 5:11 states, “Stop keeping company with… do not even eat with such a man.”

Notably, it does not say, “Stop talking to him,” “Pretend he doesn’t exist,” or “Avoid him at all costs, even if he’s your family.”

There is a significant difference between not socializing and completely cutting off all contact. The Bible does not suggest that loving interactions—such as speaking to someone, offering support, or treating them with kindness—should be forbidden.

In fact, Now if anyone has caused sadness, he has saddened, not me, but all of you to an extent—not to be too harsh in what I say. This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man; now you should instead kindly forgive and comfort him, so that he may not be overwhelmed by excessive sadness.  I therefore exhort you to confirm your love for him.  For this is also why I wrote to you: to determine whether you would give proof of your obedience in all things. If you forgive anyone for anything, I do also. In fact, whatever I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything) has been for your sake in Christ’s sight, so that we may not be overreached by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his designs.2 Corinthians 2:5-11 warns against excessive discipline, urging the congregation to be careful “so that we may not be over-reached by Satan.” Jehovah’s Witnesses’ harsh shunning does the exact opposite—it overreaches, causing immense harm to individuals and families.

How Did Jesus Christ Treat Sinners?

If Jehovah’s Witnesses truly followed Jesus’ example, they would approach sinners with compassion. Consider If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.Matthew 18:17, where Jesus instructs that an unrepentant person should be treated as a tax collector or a man of the nations. But how did Jesus treat such people?

Later as he was dining in the house, look! many tax collectors and sinners came and began dining with Jesus and his disciples. But on seeing this, the Pharisees said to his disciples: “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  Hearing them, he said: “Healthy people do not need a physician, but those who are ill do.Matthew 9:10-12 shows that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, which shocked the Pharisees. His response?

“Persons in health do not need a physician, but the ailing do.”

If Jesus himself interacted with sinners, showing them kindness and attempting to heal them, then the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ extreme policy of family destruction and emotional cruelty is clearly not biblical.

The Greek Words That Disprove Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Shunning

A deeper look at the original Greek further exposes how the Jehovah’s Witnesses twist scripture.

The word used for “removal” in But now I am writing you to stop keeping company with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man … Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.1 Corinthians 5:11,13 is “sunanamignumi” (συναναμίγνυμι), meaning to stop mixing or mingling with. It does not imply total avoidance or emotional cruelty.

But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked and stop associating with him, so that he may become ashamed. And yet do not consider him an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother.2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 clarifies how this should be applied:

“If anyone does not obey our instruction… do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. And yet do not regard that person as an enemy, but admonish that one as a brother [or sister].”

The individual is still considered a brother or sister. They are to be admonished (counseled, corrected). The only restriction is not eating with them, not total avoidance. If Jehovah’s Witnesses followed Paul’s instructions, they would not treat former members as enemies. Instead, they would continue engaging with them as family, just with certain restrictions.

Paul’s choice of words also contradicts the Witnesses’ extreme policy. The word for rebuke in 2 Corinthians 2:6 is “epitimia” (ἐπιτιμίαs), meaning mild discipline—not total isolation. If Paul had meant a severe punishment, he would have used “epiplisso,” a term for harsher rebuke. He did not.

What Is the Reason for Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Extreme Form of Shunning?

If the Bible does not support extreme shunning, why do Jehovah’s Witnesses enforce it so harshly? The answer lies in control and fear.

The Watchtower organization has built its authority on the belief that “growth = God’s favor.” A mass exodus of members would shatter the illusion of divine approval. It would expose the organization as just another flawed religious system. It could cause a collapse in loyalty and contributions.

To prevent this, they use shunning as a weapon to keep members in line. The fear of losing family, friends, and social ties keeps many from leaving—even when they no longer believe.

The organization’s leaders will do anything to delay their decline—even if it means destroying families, causing mental illness, or driving people to suicide.

A Call for Change

The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ shunning policy is not biblically supported and is a cruel distortion of Christian discipline. If they truly followed scripture, they would practice measured, compassionate discipline—not emotional blackmail.

The Governing Body must acknowledge the harm they have caused and return to biblical principles. Until then, they continue to be “over-reached by Satan” (2 Corinthians 2:11) and guilty of overwhelming people with “excessive sadness”—2 Corinthians 2:7.

It is time for Jehovah’s Witnesses to abandon fear-driven control and embrace the true, loving example of Christ. End religiously-mandated shunning.