Why do Jehovah's Witnesses shun people who question the interpretations written in their publications?

Answer 1

Answer 1: Jehovah's Witnesses are only instructed to shun members of their religion who have been deemed unrepentant for a serious sin. It is the principle of excommunication or "disfellowshipping" based on scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. However, Jehovah's Witnesses are also instructed to only have close associates who share the same beliefs as they do based on scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 15:33, 2 Corinthians 6:14, and Proverbs 13:20.

If one of Jehovah's Witnesses is actually shunning someone other than a disfellowshipped member of their congregation, it would be for other reasons rather than official doctrine. This could include frustration, temptation, indignation, irritation, or many other reasons why someone would completely avoid another person.

Another Answer from one of Jehovah's Witnesses:

We do not "shun" people who wish to engage in sincere discussion about our beliefs, even if their beliefs differ from ours.

We view our Christian ministry as critical to saving lives in this period of time which we strongly believe is the "last days." (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 12, 13)

Since we believe that we are living in the "last days," our time is limited, and quite frankly we do not want to waste time "debating" with those who have an agenda toward slowing us down in our work. When we encounter someone who, after we discern that they simply want to engage in such pointless debate, we move on, to concentrate on looking for those who are more sincere.

Another Answer from a Contributor (Outdated References):

The Watchtower 1959 1st May p269 says,

''To hold to the headship of Christ, it is therefore necessary to obey the organization that he is personally directing. Doing what the organization says is to do what he says. Resisting the organization is to resist him.''

Some believe a witness would view questioning the Watchtower Society's literature and interpretations the same as someone questioning Jesus and/or Jehovah to a degree.

In short, some feel the Watchtower have made themselves to be Christ, even Jehovah God himself. To Question them is to question God.

Some feel the Watchtower have trained their followers to ignore all negativity that is aimed at the Organization and it's teachings labeling it persecution.