Editing Jehovah's Witnesses practices (section)

==Discipline==
{{Main|Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline}}
Formal [[Church discipline|discipline]] is administered by congregation elders. In the event that an accusation of serious [[sin]] is made concerning a baptized member, the elders will talk to the accused individual. If it is determined that a serious sin has been committed, a tribunal of usually three elders is formed to determine guilt, administer help and possibly apply sanctions.<ref>{{cite book|title=Organized to Do Jehovah's Will|page=148|publisher=Watch Tower Society}}</ref>

Shunning is the most severe form of discipline administered; for many years, the procedure was referred to as ''disfellowshipping''; however, the term was discontinued in 2024, and is instead referred to as ''removal from the congregation''.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=August 2024|page=27|title=Help for Those Who Are Removed From the Congregation|publisher=Watch Tower Society|quote=We will no longer refer to such ones as being disfellowshipped. In harmony with Paul’s words recorded at 1 Corinthians 5:13, we will now refer to them as being removed from the congregation.}}</ref> Before taking this step, a committee of elders decides whether the individual has committed a "serious sin" and that there is no evidence of true repentance.<ref>''The Watchtower'' 9/15/87 p. 13.</ref> To judge that repentance is genuine, members of the committee ask questions and review the actions of the accused member.<ref>''The Watchtower'' 1/1/95 p. 30 par. 3</ref> Baptized members who spread teachings contrary to the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses can be expelled for [[apostasy]].<ref>''Reasoning From The Scriptures'' p. 34 Apostasy "Others claim to believe the Bible but reject Jehovah’s organization."</ref> A 1981 letter to overseers—reproduced in a book by former Governing Body member [[Raymond Franz]]—directed that a member who "persists in believing other doctrine", even without promoting such beliefs, may be subject to disfellowshipping.<ref>''To All Circuit and District Overseers'', September 1, 1980, "Keep in mind that to be disfellowshipped, an apostate does not have to be a promoter of apostate views. … if a baptized Christian abandons the teachings of Jehovah, as presented by the faithful and discreet slave, and persists in believing other doctrine despite Scriptural reproof, then he is apostatizing.&nbsp;… [If] he continues to believe the apostate ideas and rejects what he has been provided through the 'slave class,' then appropriate judicial action should be taken. … [If] something reasonably substantial comes to the attention of the elders along this line, it would be appropriate to make a kindly, discreet inquiry so as to protect the flock." Letter reproduced in ''Crisis of Conscience'', Raymond Franz, 1983, chapter 11.</ref> 

Once the decision of expulsion has been made, a person has seven days to appeal, after which, if the person has not appealed, an announcement is made to the congregation that the individual is "no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". Members of the congregation are then expected to shun the individual.<ref>{{cite book|title=Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock|publisher=Watch Tower Society|pages=139&ndashp141|year=2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|publisher=Watch Tower Society|date=April 15, 1988|title=Discipline That Can Yield Peaceable Fruit|pages=26–31}}</ref> Exceptions include necessary commercial dealings or a shunned person living with baptized family members. In these cases, the Witness is not permitted to speak about religious matters, except in the case of parents conducting a Bible study with a minor.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Helping Minors to Worship God|magazine=Awake!|date=November 15, 1988|page=20}}</ref> The extent to which shunned relatives living in the same household are included in family life is left to the discretion of the family.<ref>"Thus, it would be left to members of the family to decide on the extent to which the disfellowshipped family member would be included when eating or engaging in other household activities. And yet, they would not want to give brothers with whom they associate the impression that everything is the same as it was before the disfellowshipping occurred." Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped, p 4. Scan available at [http://www.jwfiles.com/scans/KM8-2002.htm JWfiles.com] accessed January 27, 2006.</ref> Relatives of shunned individuals who are not in the same household have minimal contact.<ref>"Disfellowshiping—How to View It", ''The Watchtower'', September 15, 1981, p. 26., "It might be possible to have almost no contact at all with the relative. Even if there were some family matters requiring contact, this certainly would be kept to a minimum."</ref> As of March 2024, members are permitted to invite shunned individuals to congregation meetings or offer brief greetings at meetings, unless the individual is deemed to be an apostate.<ref name="2024 GB update #2">{{cite AV media|title=2024 Governing Body update #2|url=https://www.jw.org/en/news/region/global/2024-Governing-Body-Update-2/|publisher=WatchTower Bible and Tract Society|access-date=April 11, 2024}}</ref>

''Reproof'' involves sins that could lead to shunning, but for which the individual is deemed repentant.<ref>“Questions From Readers”, ''The Watchtower'', January 1, 1983 pp. 30–31.</ref> Reproof is given "before all onlookers", based on their interpretation of 1 Timothy 5:20. If the sin is private in nature, the reproof would involve just the individual(s) involved. If the sin is known generally by the entire congregation or the community, an announcement is made informing the congregation that the person has been reproved. Later, without disclosing names or private details, one of the elders gives a separate talk ensuring that the congregation understands the sin, its dangers, and how to avoid it.<ref>“Repentance Leading Back to God”, ''The Watchtower'', September 1, 1981, p. 27 par. 30.</ref> 

Reproved individuals have some congregation privileges restricted, until the elders decide that the member has regained "spiritual strength."<ref>''Our Kingdom Ministry'', March 1975, p. 4.</ref> Restrictions may include not sharing in meeting parts, not commenting at meeting parts, and not praying for a group. The duration of restrictions depends on the elders. One cannot "pioneer" or "auxiliary pioneer" for at least one year after reproof is given.<ref>''Our Kingdom Ministry'' March 1983, p. 3.</ref>

''Marking'' is practiced if a member's course of action is regarded as a violation of Bible principles, reflecting badly on the congregation, but is not considered a serious sin for which the individual may be formally shunned.<ref>''The Watchtower'', July 15, 1999, p. 30</ref> Congregation members who become aware of another member's errant behaviour may 'mark' the individual, and are advised to limit social contact with that person.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=August 2024|page=7|title=Questions From Readers|publisher=Watch Tower Society|quote=Today, if we notice a fellow Christian who shows such a disobedient spirit, we will make a personal decision not to associate with him for social occasions or recreation.}}</ref><ref>Questions From Readers, ''The Watchtower'', April 15, 1985, p. 31.</ref> "Marked" individuals are not shunned completely, but social contact is minimized.<ref>Questions From Readers, ''The Watchtower'', April 15, 1984 p. 31.</ref>