Can Jehovah's Witnesses associate with disfellowshiped family members?

Answer 1

Yes, Jehovah's Witnesses associate with family members regardless fo their religion. They may chose their fellow witnesses as close associates and intimate friends but generally maintain normal and wholesome relations with the members fo their families.

no

Answer 2

Nothing. It is a total fallacy that Jehovah's Witnesses don't associate with non-witness family members. There is absolutely no prohibition on associating with individuals that do not share their faith although Jehovah's Witnesses may chose to not personally engage in certain activities such as heavy drinking, smoking or sexually provocative behavior.

Answer 3

One Answer:

The question as it is, seems like a strange idea to us.

But I understand; that's what they do to an arrested criminal. They put him in a cage (in prison). And no family member can associate with him. We're not like that.

Picture this: Family member -- dinner is ready -- everyone eats together. Why wouldn't we have dinner with our son, disfellowshipped or not? Do we send him to his room for dinner every day? Of course not. If we're all watching TV, does he have to leave? That's silliness. When we're all in the same household, we carry on as normal people.

The person is disfellowshipped from the congregation; not from regular house interactions.

(Some people have a hard time comprehending the different situations; and get confused as to what really happens. They take quotes out of context; or don't even understand the verbiage at all. The above answer, to a question regarding: 'family members', -- remains truthful.)

The Answer from the Official Watchtower:

The Watchtower 15th April of 2012 page 12 says,

''What if we have a relative or a close friend who is disfellowshipped? Now

our loyalty is on the line, not to that person, but to God.

Jehovah is watching us to see whether we will abide by his command not to have contact with anyone who is disfellowshipped.

Consider just one example of the good that can come when a family loyally

upholds Jehovah's decree not to associate with disfellowshipped relatives.

A young man had been disfellowshipped for over ten years, during which time his father, mother, and four brothers "quit mixing in company" with him.

At times, he tried to involve himself in their activities, but to their credit,

each member of the family was steadfast in not having any contact with him.

After he was reinstated, he said that he always missed the association with his family, especially at night when he was alone. But, he admitted, had the family associated with him even a little, that small dose would have satisfied him. However, because he did not receive even the slightest communication from any of his family,

the burning desire to be with them became one motivating factor in his restoring his relationship with Jehovah.

Think of that if you are ever tempted to violate God's command not to associate with your disfellowshipped relatives.''

(Some people have a hard time comprehending the direction given by the Watchtower Society's Governing Body and get confused as to what they plainly say in print. They take no note of the official quotes; or don't even understand the verbiage at all. The above answer, to a question regarding: 'family members', -- remains truthful.)