Shunning and family1950s1970s1980s2010s2020sEvidence collection
Coleção de provas
Shunning, discipline and family separation
O que a literatura da própria organização manda os membros fazerem quando alguém é removido da congregação ou sai, exposto com precisão por categoria, com as mudanças de 2024 e o que elas deixaram intacto; as razões dadas pela organização; e as conclusões de tribunais, de uma investigação pública e de pesquisadores.
From 1981 to March 2024 the rule was not even to greet such a person. Since 15 March 2024 a ‘simple greeting’ and an invitation to a meeting are conscience matters; socialising, eating together and ‘extended conversation’ remain forbidden.Source: jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 15 de março de 2024
Inactive members who simply stop attending are not shunned by published rule; a person who wants to be free of the organisation’s discipline must disassociate, and is then treated as removed.Source: Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), 2019
As regras publicadas, por categoria, antes e depois de 2024
Convém ser preciso sobre quem é quem. A literatura da organização trata esses grupos de maneira diferente, e qualquer descrição dela deveria fazer o mesmo.
Contact rules by category (published wording, paraphrased where marked)
Category
Before March 2024
After March and August 2024
What did not change
Sources
Removed (“disfellowshipped”) adult, not a relative
No spiritual or social fellowship, “not even eating”; no greeting (a “simple ‘Hello’” warned against). Persistent association could itself be a judicial matter.
Conscience may allow “a simple greeting” and a welcome at a congregation meeting, and an invitation to a meeting. Elders follow up after “a few months”.
“Stop keeping company … not even eating”; no socialising; no “extended conversation”; announcement wording unchanged.
1981: “viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped”; 2019: “treated in the same way as a disfellowshipped person”. The announcement wording is now identical for both.
No published change; 2024 texts use “removed” for both.
Same treatment as removed. Norway’s Supreme Court records shunning of both groups as current practice.
1981: “avoid needless association”. 1988: “almost no contact at all … kept to a minimum”. 2008: “do not look for excuses”. 2013: not by e-mail. 2017: no “telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media”.
No published revision. The conscience greeting applies to meetings. In 2026 the organisation did not dispute in court that the threshold for contact is “relatively high”.
And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?
The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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
Despite our pain of heart, we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media.
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: Em agosto de 2024 a organização disse 'In the past, we would not greet such a person' e tornou um simples cumprimento nas reuniões uma questão de consciência, ao mesmo tempo que restringiu 2 João 9-11 aos apóstatas.
Mostrar as provas (3 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
Par. 21-23 (pp. 24-25) apply 2 John 9-11 to expelled persons; par. 13-16 create the category of disassociation (by statement or by joining an organisation contrary to the Bible) and direct that such persons be 'viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped'; par. 27 says a member who will not cease fellowship with an expelled person 'must be removed from the congregation'.
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
Household: 'normal day-to-day family activities and dealings may continue'; parents may study with a disfellowshipped minor at home. Quotes the 1981 'simple Hello' passage. Footnote a: principles 'apply equally to those who disassociate themselves'. WOL copy is the 2014 printing.
15 de abril de 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
Household relatives: 'normal family affections and dealings can continue' (par. 13). Reports the outcome of Paul v. Watchtower and concludes a shunned person 'cannot recover damages ... the person is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions' (par. 20). Footnote a: 2 John 11 'could well mean not to say even "hello" to such ones'.
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: A Sentinela de 1988 disse que quem se dissocia 'is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions'.
Mostrar as provas (3 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
Par. 21-23 (pp. 24-25) apply 2 John 9-11 to expelled persons; par. 13-16 create the category of disassociation (by statement or by joining an organisation contrary to the Bible) and direct that such persons be 'viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped'; par. 27 says a member who will not cease fellowship with an expelled person 'must be removed from the congregation'.
10 de junho de 1987 · pp.819 F.2d 875 · paras 1, 11-12, 23, 36-37 (as numbered in the Public.Resource.Org text) · United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
“Although we recognize that the harms suffered by Janice Paul are real and not insubstantial, permitting her to recover for intangible or emotional injuries would unconstitutionally restrict the Jehovah’s Witnesses free exercise of religion. ... The constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of religion requires that society tolerate the type of harms suffered by Paul as a price well worth paying to safeguard the right of religious difference that all citizens enjoy.”
Facts: Paul left in 1975 after her parents were disfellowshipped; after the 1981 change, former friends 'told Paul that she was to be treated as if she had been disfellowshiped and that they could not speak with her'. Holding: 'Because the practice of shunning is a part of the faith of the Jehovah’s Witness, we find that the "free exercise" provision ... precludes the plaintiff from prevailing. The defendants have a constitutionally protected privilege to engage in the practice of shunning.' Argued 7 March 1986. Certiorari denied, 484 U.S. 926 (2 Nov 1987) (CourtListener search record opened).
Nota de procedência e verificação for United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Paul v. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc., 819 F.2d 875 (9th Cir. 1987), No. 85-4012, Opinion by Reinhardt, Circuit Judge (Wright, Tang, Reinhardt)
Nota de confiança.Full opinion text opened on law.resource.org (Public.Resource.Org copy of the Federal Reporter); wording confirmed. Justia, FindLaw and CourtListener pages were blocked or empty.
Procedência da digitalização.Public.Resource.Org (public-domain court opinion).
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Nota de procedência e verificação for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Nota de confiança.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: As perguntas frequentes atuais descrevem apenas o caso de quem mora no mesmo lar ('as afeições e o relacionamento normais de família continuam') e nada dizem sobre os parentes fora dele.
Mostrar as provas (4 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.26-31 · par. 11, 13, 18-19, 22-26 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Consequently, Christians related to such a disfellowshiped person living outside the home should strive to avoid needless association, even keeping business dealings to a minimum.”
Distinguishes relatives in the household (family ties remain, 'spiritual ties have been completely severed'; a disfellowshipped minor is still cared for and disciplined but parents 'would not conduct a Bible study directly with the child') from relatives outside it ('limited need to care for necessary family matters'); discusses weddings, gatherings and funerals.
15 de abril de 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
Household relatives: 'normal family affections and dealings can continue' (par. 13). Reports the outcome of Paul v. Watchtower and concludes a shunned person 'cannot recover damages ... the person is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions' (par. 20). Footnote a: 2 John 11 'could well mean not to say even "hello" to such ones'.
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
Household: 'normal day-to-day family activities and dealings may continue'; parents may study with a disfellowshipped minor at home. Quotes the 1981 'simple Hello' passage. Footnote a: principles 'apply equally to those who disassociate themselves'. WOL copy is the 2014 printing.
18 de setembro de 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Nota de confiança.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
Declaração explícita · 1 de outubro de 2017Verificado
Entre 2008 e 2017 a organização detalhou progressivamente a regra relativa aos parentes que moram fora de casa: 'Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home' (livro de 2008), 'Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail' (janeiro de 2013), e 'we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media' (outubro de 2017). Source: “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love” (lv), 2008Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), 15 de janeiro de 2013Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), outubro de 2017
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: A organização apresenta isso como lealdade que 'has the best interests of the wrongdoer at heart'.
Mostrar as provas (3 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
Household: 'normal day-to-day family activities and dealings may continue'; parents may study with a disfellowshipped minor at home. Quotes the 1981 'simple Hello' passage. Footnote a: principles 'apply equally to those who disassociate themselves'. WOL copy is the 2014 printing.
15 de janeiro de 2013 · pp.12-16 · par. 16-20 (quote at par. 19, p. 16) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else—including the family bond. ... Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail. (1 Cor. 5:11)”
Addressed to parents grieving a disfellowshipped child; the 'e-mail' sentence confirms the outside-household rule extends to electronic contact.
outubro de 2017 · pp.12-16 · par. 17-20 (quote at par. 19) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Despite our pain of heart, we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media.”
Section 'If a Family Member Leaves Jehovah'; the most explicit published list of communication channels to avoid with a disfellowshipped or disassociated relative.
Nota de procedência e verificação for The Watchtower (Study Edition), The Truth Brings, “Not Peace, But a Sword”
Nota de confiança.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 12-16 confirmed. The phrase suggested in the brief ('loyally supporting the disfellowshipping decision ... even a family member') does not occur in this article.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-w-2017-1000-not-peace-but-a-sword
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: A maioria norueguesa baseou-se nesse parágrafo para concluir que 'não... qualquer contato com ex-membros acarreta risco de desassociação'.
abril de 2021 · ch. 12 par. 17, 44-46; ch. 16 par. 27-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (published as inquiry evidence by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, New Zealand)
“If a publisher in the congregation is known to have unnecessary association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should use the Scriptures to counsel and reason with him. ... He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he persists in openly criticizing the disfellowshipping decision.”
Par. 17(1): wilful association with disfellowshipped or disassociated non-relatives 'would warrant judicial action'; par. 44-46 on persons inactive for many years; ch. 16 par. 29-31: announcement 'It should read as follows: "[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses."', takes effect at the announcement, S-77 form sent to the Service Department.
Nota de procedência e verificação for “Shepherd the Flock of God”—1 Peter 5:2 (ks), April 2021 revision, chapters 12, 14, 16 and 22, as produced to the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (document JHV0000012), Chapter 12 par. 17(1) and 44-46; Chapter 16 par. 27-31
Nota de confiança.PDF (35 pages) downloaded from the inquiry's evidence library and text-extracted; wording confirmed. Cited as a public-inquiry exhibit, not from any leaked copy. The Norwegian Supreme Court quotes the identical par. 17 text from the 2019 edition (para 127).
Procedência da digitalização.Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand) evidence library; copyright Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Nota de confiança.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Procedência da digitalização.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: Agosto de 2024: 'The purpose of that announcement is not to humiliate the wrongdoer. Rather, it is made so that the congregation can follow the Scriptural admonition to "stop keeping company"'.
Mostrar as provas (4 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Nota de procedência e verificação for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Nota de confiança.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
abril de 2021 · ch. 12 par. 17, 44-46; ch. 16 par. 27-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (published as inquiry evidence by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, New Zealand)
“If a publisher in the congregation is known to have unnecessary association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should use the Scriptures to counsel and reason with him. ... He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he persists in openly criticizing the disfellowshipping decision.”
Par. 17(1): wilful association with disfellowshipped or disassociated non-relatives 'would warrant judicial action'; par. 44-46 on persons inactive for many years; ch. 16 par. 29-31: announcement 'It should read as follows: "[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses."', takes effect at the announcement, S-77 form sent to the Service Department.
Nota de procedência e verificação for “Shepherd the Flock of God”—1 Peter 5:2 (ks), April 2021 revision, chapters 12, 14, 16 and 22, as produced to the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (document JHV0000012), Chapter 12 par. 17(1) and 44-46; Chapter 16 par. 27-31
Nota de confiança.PDF (35 pages) downloaded from the inquiry's evidence library and text-extracted; wording confirmed. Cited as a public-inquiry exhibit, not from any leaked copy. The Norwegian Supreme Court quotes the identical par. 17 text from the 2019 edition (para 127).
Procedência da digitalização.Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand) evidence library; copyright Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
agosto de 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
18 de setembro de 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Nota de confiança.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?
2 John 9-11 was applied to every expelled person; in 1985 the organisation said the verse had ‘a wider application’ than to false teachers.Source: The Watchtower, 15 de julho de 1985
15 March and August 2024
‘In the past, we would not greet such a person’
In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.
Declaração explícita · 15 de março de 2024Verificado
Em 15 de março de 2024 o membro do Corpo Governante Mark Sanderson anunciou que os publicadores podem 'use their Bible-trained conscience' para dar 'a simple greeting' a uma pessoa expulsa que assista a uma reunião, podem convidar tal pessoa para uma reunião, que os anciãos voltarão a visitar as pessoas expulsas 'after a few months' e visitarão as que foram expulsas há muito tempo, e que dois anciãos (em vez de uma comissão) se reunirão primeiro com um menor batizado e seus pais; ele acrescentou que 'we don't socialize with those who are removed from the congregation'. Source: jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 15 de março de 2024Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), agosto de 2024Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), agosto de 2024
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: A organização descreve os ajustes como reflexo do 'Jehovah's love and mercy' e de 2 Pedro 3:9.
Mostrar as provas (3 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
15 de março de 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Nota de confiança.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
agosto de 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
agosto de 2024 · pp.20-25 · par. 17-18 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“What about baptized minors—those under 18 years of age—who engage in serious wrongdoing? The body of elders will arrange for two elders to meet with the minor and his Christian parents. ... However, what if a baptized minor unrepentantly persists in a wrong course? In that case, a committee of elders will meet with him along with his Christian parents.”
The 2024 procedure for baptised minors; par. 17 confirms reproof may still be announced 'as a warning to the rest'. Quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court at para 94.
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: Perguntas frequentes: 'we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely'.
Mostrar as provas (4 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
agosto de 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
15 de março de 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Nota de confiança.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Nota de confiança.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Procedência da digitalização.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
18 de setembro de 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Nota de confiança.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
agosto de 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
18 de setembro de 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Nota de confiança.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
15 de março de 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Nota de confiança.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: A Suprema Corte da Noruega considerou o processo de 2024 'more considerate than previously', embora 'distressing and humiliating' para uma criança, e não 'mental violence'.
Mostrar as provas (5 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
agosto de 2024 · pp.20-25 · par. 17-18 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“What about baptized minors—those under 18 years of age—who engage in serious wrongdoing? The body of elders will arrange for two elders to meet with the minor and his Christian parents. ... However, what if a baptized minor unrepentantly persists in a wrong course? In that case, a committee of elders will meet with him along with his Christian parents.”
The 2024 procedure for baptised minors; par. 17 confirms reproof may still be announced 'as a warning to the rest'. Quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court at para 94.
15 de março de 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Nota de confiança.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Nota de confiança.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Procedência da digitalização.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.26-31 · par. 11, 13, 18-19, 22-26 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Consequently, Christians related to such a disfellowshiped person living outside the home should strive to avoid needless association, even keeping business dealings to a minimum.”
Distinguishes relatives in the household (family ties remain, 'spiritual ties have been completely severed'; a disfellowshipped minor is still cared for and disciplined but parents 'would not conduct a Bible study directly with the child') from relatives outside it ('limited need to care for necessary family matters'); discusses weddings, gatherings and funerals.
15 de agosto de 2013 · p.8 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“parents may even study the Bible with a disfellowshipped minor who continues to live with them ... it would seem reasonable that a disfellowshipped minor could also quietly sit with his parents.”
Confirms that disfellowshipped minors at home may be studied with and may sit with parents; for adult children not at home, sitting beside relatives is 'far different' from relatives who 'needlessly seek out his company'. Cites w81 9/15 pp. 29-30 and w88 11/15 pp. 19-20.
Nota de procedência e verificação for The Watchtower (Study Edition), Questions From Readers: Would it be appropriate for Christian parents to sit with a disfellowshipped child at congregation meetings?
Nota de confiança.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page marker 8 confirmed.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-w-2013-0815-qfr-seating
Declaração explícita · 1 de agosto de 2024Verificado
A readmissão exige um pedido por escrito, apreciado por uma comissão de readmissão da congregação original, após 'evidência clara de arrependimento' ao longo de 'muitos meses, um ano ou até mais, dependendo das circunstâncias' (2019); desde março de 2024, os anciãos devem oferecer uma reunião de acompanhamento 'depois de alguns meses', procurar os que foram removidos 'talvez muitos anos atrás', podem organizar um estudo bíblico antes da readmissão, e são orientados de que a pessoa arrependida 'pode ser readmitida sem demora', com um tratamento 'especialmente cuidadoso' nos casos de abuso de menores, apostasia ou rompimento de casamento. Source: Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), 2019Source: jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 15 de março de 2024Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), agosto de 2024Source: The Watchtower, 15 de abril de 1988
Mostrar as provas (4 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Nota de procedência e verificação for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Nota de confiança.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
15 de março de 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
Presented by Governing Body member Mark Sanderson (20 min 02 s; media id docid-1112024005). Also announces: follow-up meeting 'after a few months'; visits to those removed long ago; two elders to meet a baptised minor and parents instead of a committee; members may invite a removed person to a meeting; 'we don’t socialize with those who are removed'; 1 Cor. 5:13 'remove' terminology; sisters may wear slacks.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org (Governing Body Update video), 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Nota de confiança.jw.org page opened (published 15 March 2024) and the organisation's own English subtitle file (https://cfp2.jw-cdn.org/a/ceb7d7/1/o/1112024005_E_cnt_1.vtt, from the jw.org mediator API record docid-1112024005_E_1_VIDEO) read in full; quotations are from that subtitle text.
agosto de 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Footnote b retires 'disfellowshipped' for 'removed from the congregation'; par. 4 keeps the announcement 'no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; par. 13 keeps 'stop keeping company ... not even eating'; par. 15 and the box restrict 2 John 9-11 to 'apostates and others who actively promote wrong conduct'; par. 6, 10-12 on follow-up visits and reinstatement. No revised guidance on relatives outside the household.
15 de abril de 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
Household relatives: 'normal family affections and dealings can continue' (par. 13). Reports the outcome of Paul v. Watchtower and concludes a shunned person 'cannot recover damages ... the person is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions' (par. 20). Footnote a: 2 John 11 'could well mean not to say even "hello" to such ones'.
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: Perguntas frequentes: 'Se uma das Testemunhas de Jeová diminuiu o ritmo ou parou na sua adoração, nós a procuramos'.
Mostrar as provas (4 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Nota de procedência e verificação for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Nota de confiança.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
Par. 21-23 (pp. 24-25) apply 2 John 9-11 to expelled persons; par. 13-16 create the category of disassociation (by statement or by joining an organisation contrary to the Bible) and direct that such persons be 'viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped'; par. 27 says a member who will not cease fellowship with an expelled person 'must be removed from the congregation'.
outubro de 2016 · pp.13, 70-72 · section 7.7; endnotes 618-636 · Commonwealth of Australia (ISBN 978-1-925289-89-3, CC BY 3.0 AU)
“The Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s practice of shunning members who disassociate from the organisation has the very real potential of putting a survivor in the untenable position of having to choose between constant re-traumatisation at having to share a community with their abuser and losing that entire community altogether.”
Also: 'Even family members are instructed not to associate with a disfellowshipped or disassociated relative unless the association is unavoidable'; 'the practice of shunning is an inextricable component of the institutional response to child sexual abuse'; the organisation's submission that shunning was outside the terms of reference was rejected; Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson's evidence (14 Aug 2015) that leaving can be 'personally devastating because [a person] can lose their whole social network and their families'; p. 13 lists 'the organisation has a policy and practice of shunning those who wish to leave the organisation' among problematic policies.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Australia), Report of Case Study No. 29: The response of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd to allegations of child sexual abuse, Section 7.7 Shunning; summary of problematic policies (p. 13)
Nota de confiança.Report PDF (110 pp.) downloaded from the New Zealand inquiry's mirror and text-extracted; wording and page numbers confirmed. Official host (childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au) blocked in this environment.
Procedência da digitalização.Mirror hosted by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand); Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 3.0 AU.
Notes.Official PDF (blocked here): https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/Case%20Study%2029%20-%20Findings%20Report%20-%20Jehovahs%20Witnesses.pdf
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-rc-au-2016-1000-case-study-29-report
abril de 2021 · ch. 12 par. 17, 44-46; ch. 16 par. 27-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (published as inquiry evidence by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, New Zealand)
“If a publisher in the congregation is known to have unnecessary association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should use the Scriptures to counsel and reason with him. ... He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he persists in openly criticizing the disfellowshipping decision.”
Par. 17(1): wilful association with disfellowshipped or disassociated non-relatives 'would warrant judicial action'; par. 44-46 on persons inactive for many years; ch. 16 par. 29-31: announcement 'It should read as follows: "[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses."', takes effect at the announcement, S-77 form sent to the Service Department.
Nota de procedência e verificação for “Shepherd the Flock of God”—1 Peter 5:2 (ks), April 2021 revision, chapters 12, 14, 16 and 22, as produced to the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (document JHV0000012), Chapter 12 par. 17(1) and 44-46; Chapter 16 par. 27-31
Nota de confiança.PDF (35 pages) downloaded from the inquiry's evidence library and text-extracted; wording confirmed. Cited as a public-inquiry exhibit, not from any leaked copy. The Norwegian Supreme Court quotes the identical par. 17 text from the 2019 edition (para 127).
Procedência da digitalização.Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand) evidence library; copyright Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
O livro Organizados para Fazer a Vontade de Jeová (2019) define a dissociação como uma declaração de que a pessoa não deseja mais ser conhecida como Testemunha, ou como renúncia ao seu lugar 'by his actions, such as by becoming part of a secular organization that has objectives contrary to Bible teachings' (citando Isaías 2:4 e Apocalipse 19:17-21); o livro não menciona o serviço militar, e uma seção Perguntas dos Leitores de 1999 trata o voto como questão de consciência pessoal, de modo que nem 'entrar para as forças armadas' nem 'votar' é declarado, no texto publicado atual, como ato automático de dissociação. Source: Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), 2019Source: The Watchtower, 1 de novembro de 1999Source: The Watchtower, 15 de setembro de 1981
Mostrar as provas (3 fontes)
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
Nota de procedência e verificação for Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), Chapter 14, Maintaining the Peace and Cleanness of the Congregation
Nota de confiança.Raw WOL HTML fetched; wording and page markers 141-156 confirmed; publishers' page (doc 1102014949) opened for edition data. Still uses 'disfellowshipped' as at access date.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-od-2019-organized-ch14
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
1 de novembro de 1999 · pp.28-29 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience ... What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator.”
Current published position: voting is a matter of individual conscience, not a disassociating act. Relevant to the claim sometimes made that voting leads to disassociation.
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
Par. 21-23 (pp. 24-25) apply 2 John 9-11 to expelled persons; par. 13-16 create the category of disassociation (by statement or by joining an organisation contrary to the Bible) and direct that such persons be 'viewed and treated as are those who have been disfellowshiped'; par. 27 says a member who will not cease fellowship with an expelled person 'must be removed from the congregation'.
15 de abril de 2015 · pp.29-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“All in the congregation can show principled love by avoiding contact and conversation with the disfellowshipped person. (1 Cor. 5:11; 2 John 10, 11)”
Presents disfellowshipping as protection for the congregation and discipline for the wrongdoer; 'Julian' says of his disfellowshipped son, 'his lifestyle had put up a barrier between us'; the son returned 'after some ten years'.
15 de julho de 1995 · pp.25-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Ever since the Christian congregation came into existence 19 centuries ago, true Christians have put up a hard fight to protect it from spiritual and moral uncleanness.”
Organisation's rationale article; opened for the 'loving provision' framing used from the 1990s onward.
Nota de procedência e verificação for The Watchtower, Disfellowshipping—A Loving Provision?
Nota de confiança.Re-opened by the independent source auditor on 19 September 2026: the online library's reference for document 1995526 is w95 7/15 pp. 25-27, so the issue is 15 July 1995 (an earlier record inferred 15 August from the document numbering); page markers 25-27 and wording confirmed.
Notes.Issue date corrected from 15 August to 15 July 1995 on 19 September 2026.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-w-1995-0715-loving-provision
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
Nota de procedência e verificação for Awake!, The Bible’s Viewpoint: Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Arrangement
Nota de confiança.Re-opened by the independent source auditor on 19 September 2026: the online library's reference g96 9/8 pp. 26-27 confirms the 8 September 1996 issue; page markers and wording confirmed.
Notes.Issue date confirmed 19 September 2026.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-g-1996-0908-loving-arrangement
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
2017 · pp.241 (Endnote 8); ch. 3 pp. 39-40 · Endnote 8; ch. 3 pars. 19-20 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When someone is disfellowshipped, we have no more dealings with that person and we stop talking to him. (1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 John 9-11)”
Ch. 3 par. 19: 'This can be very difficult if he is a friend of ours or a member of our family. But in a situation like this, our loyalty to Jehovah must be stronger than our loyalty to anyone else.' The Norwegian Supreme Court treated this 2017/2018 book as the current doctrinal statement (para 39-40). Endnotes doc: wol 1102017578.
Nota de procedência e verificação for How to Remain in God’s Love (lvs), Chapter 3, Choose Friends Who Love God (par. 19-20) and Endnote 8, Disfellowshipping
Nota de confiança.The quoted sentence is Endnote 8 of the book (online library document 1102017578, under page marker 241, the page the elders’ handbook tells elders to review); chapter 3 (document 1102017562) pars. 19-20 confirmed separately. Corrected by the independent source auditor on 19 September 2026.
18 de setembro de 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Nota de confiança.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
18 de setembro de 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Nota de confiança.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Nota de confiança.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Procedência da digitalização.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
18 de setembro de 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Current official statement. Also: 'we reach out' to those who 'slowed down or stopped'; 'The elders simply announce to the congregation that the person is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses'; spouse and young children in the same house keep 'normal family affections and dealings'; footnote b on terminology; footnote d applies 2 John 9-11 to those who 'actively try to undermine' the congregation. Says nothing about relatives outside the household. Quotes the High Court of England and Wales (7 June 2019) and former ECtHR judge Pinto de Albuquerque.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org, Frequently Asked Questions, How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
Nota de confiança.Full page opened at both URLs on 2026-09-19. The old URL https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ returns HTTP 301 to this URL (curl -I; server Last-Modified 18 Sep 2026). Earlier titles: 2022 version 'Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?' is quoted by the Norwegian Supreme Court (para 125); the still-earlier title 'Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?' is attested only by discovery sources (unverified).
Notes.Blocked original: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ (now redirects). web.archive.org and archive.ph blocked in this environment.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-jworg-2026-faq-removed-from-the-congregation
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Nota de confiança.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Procedência da digitalização.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
22 de março de 2014 · watchtowerinvestigated.wordpress.com
“Do You Shun Former Members of Your Religion?”
Attests the earlier title of the jw.org shunning FAQ. Archive hosts (web.archive.org, archive.ph) are blocked in this environment, so the earlier page could not be opened.
10 de junho de 1987 · pp.819 F.2d 875 · paras 1, 11-12, 23, 36-37 (as numbered in the Public.Resource.Org text) · United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
“Although we recognize that the harms suffered by Janice Paul are real and not insubstantial, permitting her to recover for intangible or emotional injuries would unconstitutionally restrict the Jehovah’s Witnesses free exercise of religion. ... The constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of religion requires that society tolerate the type of harms suffered by Paul as a price well worth paying to safeguard the right of religious difference that all citizens enjoy.”
Facts: Paul left in 1975 after her parents were disfellowshipped; after the 1981 change, former friends 'told Paul that she was to be treated as if she had been disfellowshiped and that they could not speak with her'. Holding: 'Because the practice of shunning is a part of the faith of the Jehovah’s Witness, we find that the "free exercise" provision ... precludes the plaintiff from prevailing. The defendants have a constitutionally protected privilege to engage in the practice of shunning.' Argued 7 March 1986. Certiorari denied, 484 U.S. 926 (2 Nov 1987) (CourtListener search record opened).
Nota de procedência e verificação for United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Paul v. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc., 819 F.2d 875 (9th Cir. 1987), No. 85-4012, Opinion by Reinhardt, Circuit Judge (Wright, Tang, Reinhardt)
Nota de confiança.Full opinion text opened on law.resource.org (Public.Resource.Org copy of the Federal Reporter); wording confirmed. Justia, FindLaw and CourtListener pages were blocked or empty.
Procedência da digitalização.Public.Resource.Org (public-domain court opinion).
15 de abril de 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
Household relatives: 'normal family affections and dealings can continue' (par. 13). Reports the outcome of Paul v. Watchtower and concludes a shunned person 'cannot recover damages ... the person is feeling a loss brought on by his or her own actions' (par. 20). Footnote a: 2 John 11 'could well mean not to say even "hello" to such ones'.
“courts can only review the decisions of public decision-makers and that private decision-makers don’t have to follow fair procedures unless an enforceable legal right is at stake”
Randy Wall, disfellowshipped in 2014, said the decision harmed his real-estate business because Witness clients avoided him; the Court held there is no free-standing right to judicial review of a religious organisation's membership decision and that disagreements about religious principles are not for the courts.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Canada, Highwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Judicial Committee) v. Wall, 2018 SCC 26, [2018] 1 S.C.R. 750, Case in Brief (official summary) and judgment (Rowe J. for a unanimous Court)
Nota de confiança.Official SCC 'Case in Brief' page opened; citation, date, facts and holding confirmed. Full reasons (CanLII/Lexum) blocked in this environment, so paragraph numbers are not given.
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: A organização alegou que o ostracismo estava 'outside the Terms of Reference and has no immediate relevance', o que a Comissão rejeitou.
outubro de 2016 · pp.13, 70-72 · section 7.7; endnotes 618-636 · Commonwealth of Australia (ISBN 978-1-925289-89-3, CC BY 3.0 AU)
“The Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s practice of shunning members who disassociate from the organisation has the very real potential of putting a survivor in the untenable position of having to choose between constant re-traumatisation at having to share a community with their abuser and losing that entire community altogether.”
Also: 'Even family members are instructed not to associate with a disfellowshipped or disassociated relative unless the association is unavoidable'; 'the practice of shunning is an inextricable component of the institutional response to child sexual abuse'; the organisation's submission that shunning was outside the terms of reference was rejected; Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson's evidence (14 Aug 2015) that leaving can be 'personally devastating because [a person] can lose their whole social network and their families'; p. 13 lists 'the organisation has a policy and practice of shunning those who wish to leave the organisation' among problematic policies.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Australia), Report of Case Study No. 29: The response of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd to allegations of child sexual abuse, Section 7.7 Shunning; summary of problematic policies (p. 13)
Nota de confiança.Report PDF (110 pp.) downloaded from the New Zealand inquiry's mirror and text-extracted; wording and page numbers confirmed. Official host (childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au) blocked in this environment.
Procedência da digitalização.Mirror hosted by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (New Zealand); Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 3.0 AU.
Notes.Official PDF (blocked here): https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/Case%20Study%2029%20-%20Findings%20Report%20-%20Jehovahs%20Witnesses.pdf
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-rc-au-2016-1000-case-study-29-report
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: Não foi localizada nenhuma declaração do jw.org sobre o caso belga; as perguntas frequentes citam outros tribunais em apoio.
“De vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen werd veroordeeld tot een geldboete van 96.000 euro voor het aanzetten tot discriminatie en haat tegen ex-leden.”
Charges under art. 22, 1°-4° of the 2007 Anti-Discrimination Act (incitement to discrimination and to hatred/violence against individuals and a group); Unia and about fifteen former members were civil parties; complaint lodged 2015 by a former member. Unia's own summary (12 Jan 2024 update, https://www.unia.be/nl/actua/gelovigen-antidiscriminatiewet) also records the 2022 acquittal and the Cassation ruling.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Unia (Belgian Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities) case-law database: Correctionele rechtbank Oost-Vlaanderen, afdeling Gent, 16 maart 2021, vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen — conviction for incitement to discrimination and hatred
Nota de confiança.Unia case page and Unia news update opened; date, charges, fine and parties confirmed. The judgment text itself was not opened.
“no indication that the avoidance policy leads to generalized social isolation”
The Court of Appeal held that announcing a member's name at meetings 'can on its own not incite discrimination', that the avoidance policy does not 'literally call for discrimination ... nor literally for hate or violence', and that a religion 'may issue guidelines that strongly discourage or deem friendships sinful' provided they do not incite unlawful conduct.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Unia case-law database: Hof van beroep Gent, 7 juni 2022, Acquittal of vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen on appeal
Nota de confiança.Unia case page opened (fetch tool rendered the Dutch summary in English); outcome and date confirmed; judgment text not opened. Downgraded to supported after review: the page was opened but the wording or date recorded here was tool-summarised, translated or inferred rather than confirmed by eye; re-read before upgrading.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-unia-2022-0607-ghent-court-of-appeal
“the exclusion policy does not incite breaking of bonds between parents and children or between spouses”
The Court of Cassation upheld the 2022 acquittal; it found the policy 'strongly discourages and designates as sinful' contact with ex-members but that members 'have free will to leave'.
16 de março de 2021 · Jeroen Desmecht; Hanne Decré · VRT (Belgian public broadcaster)
“De religieuze regels staan in onze maatschappij niet boven de wet.”
Reports the Ghent criminal court conviction; explains that the base fine of €12,000 is multiplied by eight (statutory 'opdeciemen') giving €96,000; names complainant Patrick Haeck (35-year member, expelled 2010) and Unia with fifteen ex-members as civil parties.
16 de março de 2021 · Maïthé Chini · The Brussels Times
“The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ shunning policy cuts to the very core of relationships, and the victims suffer both physical and psychological consequences”
English-language report of the same judgment giving the €12,000 base figure (before the statutory multiplier); quotes civil-party lawyers and Patrick Haeck.
janeiro de 2024 · pp.79-105 · Massimo Introvigne · CESNUR
““Shunning” does not apply to cohabiting relatives.”
Essay by a sociologist who defends the practice; useful only for its litigation chronology (Ghent 16 March 2021 conviction; 7 June 2022 reversal; Court of Cassation 19 December 2023).
4 de março de 2024 · sections 3.1, 3.3 (as extracted) · Oslo tingrett (published on Lovdata)
“For døpte mindreårige i den alderen vil det være tilnærmet umulig å utøve retten til fri utmelding”
Judge Ole Kristen Øverberg acquitted the State and ordered the organisation to pay costs of NOK 1,140,505, holding that the exclusion practice infringed baptised minors' right of free withdrawal and amounted to 'psykisk vold' (psychological violence); the judgment quoted the lv appendix ('Lojale kristne familiemedlemmer leter ikke etter unnskyldninger for å ha kontakt ...').
Nota de procedência e verificação for Oslo tingrett (Oslo District Court), judgment TOSL-2022-186588 / TOSL-2023-23178, Jehovas vitner v. Staten v/Barne- og familiedepartementet
Nota de confiança.Lovdata page opened via the fetch tool, which returned the case numbers, date, judge, outcome, costs and extracted Norwegian passages; the full judgment text was not read line by line, so the extracted quotations are reported as the summary gives them, and the claim they support is labelled supported. Downgraded to supported after review: the page was opened but the wording or date recorded here was tool-summarised, translated or inferred rather than confirmed by eye; re-read before upgrading.
28 de março de 2024 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The position of the State now remains that it will continue to deny legal recognition to Jehovah’s Witnesses in the country of Norway unless we change our practices regarding the removal of unrepentant wrongdoers from the congregation.”
Organisation's response to the Oslo District Court judgment of 4 March 2024; notes loss of grants and of authority to officiate weddings.
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Nota de confiança.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Procedência da digitalização.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
“The State has not demonstrated in concrete terms whether, and to what extent, baptised minor members of Jehovah’s Witnesses actually experience pressure not to commit norm violations or not to withdraw, out of fear of being subjected to a disfellowshipping process ... and of losing relationships with family and friends within the religious community.”
Unanimous reversal of the District Court; findings of fact quoted in the Supreme Court judgment (para 102). The organisation was awarded costs (NOK 8.5 million per jw.org).
No online copy located.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Borgarting lagmannsrett (Borgarting Court of Appeal), judgment of 14 March 2025, Jehovas vitner v. Staten v/Barne- og familiedepartementet
Nota de confiança.Judgment not opened and case number not obtained; outcome and date confirmed by the Supreme Court judgment (HR-2026-1009-A, opened), jw.org release (opened) and rett24 (opened). Quotation is the Supreme Court's English rendering of the Court of Appeal's finding.
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Nota de confiança.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Procedência da digitalização.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
27 de março de 2025 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Jehovah’s Witnesses have been fully vindicated in that the decisions to deny grants and registration are invalid.”
Reports the Borgarting Court of Appeal decision of 14 March 2025 and costs of NOK 8,500,000; says limiting contact with removed members 'is not a violation of his rights' and, for minors, 'does not constitute psychological violence' (as quoted by jw.org).
Reports that the Borgarting Court of Appeal found it not shown ('ikke sannsynliggjort') that the practice of social distancing toward members who leave violates the right to exit, nor that the practice toward minors constitutes psychological violence or negative social control.
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: jw.org: a decisão 'protege vários direitos humanos fundamentais... inclusive a liberdade de religião e a autonomia pessoal'.
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Nota de confiança.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Procedência da digitalização.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
8 de maio de 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The decision protects several fundamental human rights for all people in Norway, including freedom of religion and personal autonomy.”
Statement by Jørgen Pedersen (Scandinavia Branch Committee). A companion piece dated 30 April 2026 (jw.org/en/global-communications/country/norway/Norways-Supreme-Court-Rules-to-Protect-Citizens-Right-to-Believe/) reports costs of about NOK 11,864,000 and describes the practice as 'the removal of unrepentant wrongdoers from the congregation'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for jw.org Newsroom, Norwegian Supreme Court Issues Significant Ruling in Favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Nota de confiança.Both pages opened; dates and wording confirmed. jw.org gives the decision date as 30 April 2026; the judgment itself is dated 29 April 2026.
Notes.Date discrepancy (29 vs 30 April) noted; the judgment PDF controls.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-jworg-2026-0508-norway-supreme-court-release
Nota de procedência e verificação for Religion Clause (law blog by Prof. Howard M. Friedman), Norway’s Supreme Court Upholds Jehovah’s Witnesses State Registration and Funding
Nota de confiança.Page opened; used only to locate the official judgment.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-religionclause-2026-0507-norway-supreme-court
Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.
A posição da organização ou explicação posterior: As perguntas frequentes citam a opinião do ex-juiz do Tribunal Europeu dos Direitos Humanos Pinto de Albuquerque de que os tribunais consideraram a prática lícita.
10 de junho de 2010 · paras 109-113 · European Court of Human Rights
“as long as self-dedication to religious matters is the product of the believer’s independent and free decision and however unhappy his or her family members may be about that decision, the ensuing estrangement cannot be taken to mean that the religion caused the break-up in the family.”
Para 110: 'The domestic courts did not give examples of any forceful or threatening action on the part of the applicant community calculated to break the families of its members apart.' The passage concerns complaints by non-Witness relatives of converts, not the shunning of ex-members; the Norwegian Supreme Court (2026, para 110) said the ECtHR had not, to its knowledge, ruled on shunning of former members.
Nota de procedência e verificação for European Court of Human Rights, Jehovah’s Witnesses of Moscow and Others v. Russia, no. 302/02, Judgment (First Section), paras 109-113
Nota de confiança.HUDOC document body opened via the HUDOC conversion endpoint (https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/app/conversion/docx/html/body?library=ECHR&id=001-99221); paragraphs 109-113 read verbatim.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-echr-2010-0610-jw-moscow-v-russia
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
3-2 majority (Steen, Arntzen, Hellerslia; Poulsen and Falkanger dissenting) dismissed the State's appeal and declared the refusals of registration and grants invalid; unanimous that infringement of children's rights was not proved; majority: practice 'may entail a clear psychological pressure not to withdraw' (para 123) but not 'improper pressure' under Art. 9 ECHR; dissent: right to withdraw infringed. Costs NOK 2,165,461. Quotes od 2019 p. 148, lvs pp. 39-40, ks 2019 ch. 12 par. 17, w24 Aug p. 24 par. 18, the 2022 jw.org FAQ and a JW brochure 'Jehovah’s Witnesses and Disfellowshipping'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett), judgment HR-2026-1009-A (case no. 25-089326SIV-HRET), official English translation published 16 July 2026, The State (Ministry of Children and Families) v. Jehovah’s Witnesses; European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (intervener)
Nota de confiança.Official English translation PDF (https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/translated-rulings/2026/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf) downloaded and read; all quoted paragraphs confirmed. Norwegian original: https://www.domstol.no/globalassets/upload/hret/avgjorelser/2026/april/hr-2026-1009-a.pdf
Procedência da digitalização.Supreme Court of Norway, Communication Department translation (legal authenticity remains with the Norwegian text).
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-court-no-2026-0429-supreme-court
Os estudos revisados por pares sobre ex-Testemunhas são pequenos ou de participação voluntária; nenhum mede a prevalência em condições controladas, de modo que não se pode inferir causalidade. Eles relatam de forma consistente associações entre o ostracismo e problemas de saúde mental, inclusive ideação suicida, e também resiliência ao longo do tempo. A expressão usada aqui é “associado a”, não “causa”.
Conclusão independente · 19 de janeiro de 2021Verificado
Um estudo de 2021, revisado por pares, baseado em entrevistas com seis ex-Testemunhas (Ransom, Monk & Heim, Journal of Religion and Health) relatou que o ostracismo depois da saída 'pode estar associado a uma diminuição da saúde mental', que os participantes compararam a perda da família e dos amigos ao luto por pessoas vivas, que um participante relatou duas tentativas de suicídio e outro, comportamento autodestrutivo, e que um deles descreveu o suicídio de um filho depois de ele ter sido desassociado. Source: Journal of Religion and Health, 61(3): 2458-2480 (online 19 Jan 2021; issue June 2022), 19 de janeiro de 2021
19 de janeiro de 2021 · pp.2458-2480 · Abstract; Results · Heather J. Ransom; Rebecca L. Monk; Derek Heim · Springer (open access, CC BY)
“Narratives suggest that experiences of ostracism following religious exit can be associated with diminished mental health, while having a sense of agency and establishing new (online) social connections may help mitigate adverse consequences.”
Six former JWs in the UK (aged 25 to 60s; disfellowshipped or disassociated), semi-structured interviews analysed with interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: 'the sudden loss of contact with loved [ones] was akin to grieving their living friends and family'; one participant reported two suicide attempts, another self-destructive behaviour, and a third described her son’s suicide after he was disfellowshipped and one a son's suicide after disfellowshipping; 'the indication is that being disfellowshipped may potentially have serious implications to physical and mental health'.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Journal of Religion and Health, 61(3): 2458-2480 (online 19 Jan 2021; issue June 2022), Grieving the Living: The Social Death of Former Jehovah’s Witnesses
Nota de confiança.Open-access PDF (Deutsche Nationalbibliothek copy, https://d-nb.info/1230971017/34) downloaded and read; citation verified against Crossref and Semantic Scholar; Edge Hill repository record opened.
Conclusão independente · 31 de dezembro de 2022Verificado
Um estudo de 2023 baseado em entrevistas com dez ex-Testemunhas (Luther, Pastoral Psychology) concluiu que o ostracismo 'tem um efeito prejudicial de longo prazo sobre a saúde mental, as possibilidades de emprego e a satisfação com a vida', sendo comuns a solidão, a perda de controle e o sentimento de inutilidade depois da saída. Source: Pastoral Psychology, 72(1): 105-120 (online 31 Dec 2022), 31 de dezembro de 2022
31 de dezembro de 2022 · pp.105-120 · Abstract · Rosie Luther · Springer
“Results suggest shunning has a long-term, detrimental effect on mental health, job possibilities, and life satisfaction. ... Feelings of loneliness, loss of control, and worthlessness are also common after leaving.”
Ten former JWs (USA, aged 20-44) interviewed; interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Pastoral Psychology, 72(1): 105-120 (online 31 Dec 2022), What Happens to Those Who Exit Jehovah’s Witnesses: An Investigation of the Impact of Shunning
Nota de confiança.PubMed Central full text (PMC9803876) opened; abstract confirmed verbatim; citation verified against Crossref.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-luther-2023-what-happens-exit
Conclusão independente · 9 de agosto de 2023Respaldado
Uma pesquisa on-line de 2023 com 424 ex-Testemunhas na Áustria, na Alemanha e na Suíça (Thoma et al., Mental Health, Religion & Culture) relatou que um terço teve pensamentos suicidas e 10% tentaram suicídio, com sintomas clinicamente significativos e baixa qualidade de vida, especialmente entre as mulheres e entre os que saíram por causa de abuso. Source: Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 26(7): 644-662, 9 de agosto de 2023
9 de agosto de 2023 · pp.644-662 · Abstract · Myriam V. Thoma; Andreas Goreis; Shauna L. Rohner; Urs M. Nater; Eva Heim; Jan Höltge · Taylor & Francis (open access, CC BY)
“This study assessed a sample of former Jehovah’s Witnesses (N = 424 ... ). Most participants (66%) were born into this faith community. Half the sample left voluntarily, 21% were expelled ... One third reported suicidal thoughts; 10% had attempted suicide.”
Online survey; self-selected sample; no control group. Women and survivors of child maltreatment identified as particularly vulnerable sub-groups.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 26(7): 644-662, Characteristics of health and well-being in former Jehovah’s Witnesses in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland
Nota de confiança.Publisher page returned HTTP 403; abstract and bibliographic data taken from the Semantic Scholar API record and verified against Crossref (two independent indexes). Original not opened.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-thoma-2023-health-former-jws
Conclusão independente · 4 de junho de 2026Verificado
Um estudo britânico de 2026 com 21 ex-Testemunhas oficialmente submetidas ao ostracismo (Grendele, Bapir-Tardy & Flax, Pastoral Psychology) concluiu que o ostracismo 'pode afetar significativamente o bem-estar físico e emocional das pessoas', mas que a maioria dos participantes demonstrou resiliência e crescimento psicológico por meio de estratégias adaptativas de enfrentamento. Source: Pastoral Psychology (online 4 June 2026), 4 de junho de 2026
4 de junho de 2026 · Abstract · Windy A. Grendele; Savin Bapir-Tardy; Maya Flax · Springer (open access, CC BY)
“Twenty-one former Jehovah’s Witnesses who were officially shunned were interviewed online or by phone, and the data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. ... the majority of participants demonstrated resilience and psychological growth.”
Received 19 Feb 2026, accepted 3 May 2026. Shunning 'may significantly impact individuals’ physical and emotional well-being'; some participants initially adopted maladaptive coping.
Nota de procedência e verificação for Pastoral Psychology (online 4 June 2026), Coping After Shunning: Experiences of Former Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United Kingdom
Nota de confiança.Open-access PDF downloaded from link.springer.com and read; citation verified against Crossref.
Consultado em. 19 de setembro de 2026 · Identificador da fonte.src-grendele-2026-coping-after-shunning
15 de novembro de 1952 · pp.703-704 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“But to have religious communion with the disfellowshiped person—no, there would be none of that! ... Hurt to such one would not be authorized, but there would be no spiritual or religious fellowshiping.”
A ‘balanced viewpoint’: family decides about relatives
It was ‘not right to treat such ones in an inhumane way’; contact with disfellowshipped relatives outside the home is left to the family. Source: The Watchtower, 1 de agosto de 1974
Abrir as provas A ‘balanced viewpoint’: family decides about relatives
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
1 de agosto de 1974 · pp.466-473 · par. 5, 9, 17-23 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“As to disfellowshiped family members (not minor sons or daughters) living outside the home, each family must decide to what extent they will have association with such ones. This is not something that the congregational elders can decide for them.”
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.26-31 · par. 11, 13, 18-19, 22-26 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Consequently, Christians related to such a disfellowshiped person living outside the home should strive to avoid needless association, even keeping business dealings to a minimum.”
15 de julho de 1985 · pp.30-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“But the Bible elsewhere shows that this had a wider application. ... John was saying that they ought not even greet such an individual with khaiʹro, a common “good-day.””
10 de junho de 1987 · pp.819 F.2d 875 · paras 1, 11-12, 23, 36-37 (as numbered in the Public.Resource.Org text) · United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
“Although we recognize that the harms suffered by Janice Paul are real and not insubstantial, permitting her to recover for intangible or emotional injuries would unconstitutionally restrict the Jehovah’s Witnesses free exercise of religion. ... The constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of religion requires that society tolerate the type of harms suffered by Paul as a price well worth paying to safeguard the right of religious difference that all citizens enjoy.”
15 de abril de 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
15 de janeiro de 2013 · pp.12-16 · par. 16-20 (quote at par. 19, p. 16) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else—including the family bond. ... Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail. (1 Cor. 5:11)”
outubro de 2017 · pp.12-16 · par. 17-20 (quote at par. 19) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Despite our pain of heart, we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media.”
15 de julho de 1995 · pp.25-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Ever since the Christian congregation came into existence 19 centuries ago, true Christians have put up a hard fight to protect it from spiritual and moral uncleanness.”
setembro de 2017 · p.8 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Watch the video Loyally Uphold Jehovah’s Judgments—Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers, and then answer the following questions: What situation tested the loyalty of Sonja’s parents? What helped them to remain loyal? How did their loyalty to Jehovah benefit Sonja?”
outubro de 2016 · pp.13, 70-72 · section 7.7; endnotes 618-636 · Commonwealth of Australia (ISBN 978-1-925289-89-3, CC BY 3.0 AU)
“The Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s practice of shunning members who disassociate from the organisation has the very real potential of putting a survivor in the untenable position of having to choose between constant re-traumatisation at having to share a community with their abuser and losing that entire community altogether.”
“courts can only review the decisions of public decision-makers and that private decision-makers don’t have to follow fair procedures unless an enforceable legal right is at stake”
“De vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen werd veroordeeld tot een geldboete van 96.000 euro voor het aanzetten tot discriminatie en haat tegen ex-leden.”
15 de março de 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
agosto de 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
agosto de 2024 · pp.20-25 · par. 17-18 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“What about baptized minors—those under 18 years of age—who engage in serious wrongdoing? The body of elders will arrange for two elders to meet with the minor and his Christian parents. ... However, what if a baptized minor unrepentantly persists in a wrong course? In that case, a committee of elders will meet with him along with his Christian parents.”
“The State has not demonstrated in concrete terms whether, and to what extent, baptised minor members of Jehovah’s Witnesses actually experience pressure not to commit norm violations or not to withdraw, out of fear of being subjected to a disfellowshipping process ... and of losing relationships with family and friends within the religious community.”
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
The organisation’s framing. Note that disassociation by letter is treated identically, so a person who leaves for reasons of conscience receives the same treatment as an unrepentant wrongdoer.Source: Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (od), 2019
They concern greetings and invitations at meetings, follow-up visits and minors. The ‘not even eating’ rule, the announcement and the outside-household guidance are unchanged.Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), agosto de 2024
Se você está pensando em sair
As regras acima são o motivo pelo qual o caminho escolhido importa: uma carta de dissociação é tratada como remoção, enquanto afastar-se discretamente não é. Veja sair com segurança e ajuda e apoio. Nada neste site é aconselhamento para a sua situação.
Não verificado, não utilizado
O conteúdo do vídeo de congresso “Sonja”, de 2016, além do seu título oficial; uma decisão do Tribunal Europeu de 2023 sobre uma queixa norueguesa, segundo o que foi noticiado; o texto da sentença do Tribunal de Apelação de Borgarting (as suas constatações são citadas a partir da sentença do Supremo Tribunal); e qualquer edição posterior a 2024 do manual dos anciãos. O manual é citado apenas a partir dos capítulos apresentados à Comissão Real de Inquérito da Nova Zelândia e aos tribunais noruegueses, nunca a partir de cópias vazadas.
Fontes citadas nesta página
Show all 37 sources, in date order
Each opens a full record with links, provenance and a confidence note.
Publicação primária das Testemunhas de JeováVerificado
15 de novembro de 1952 · pp.703-704 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“But to have religious communion with the disfellowshiped person—no, there would be none of that! ... Hurt to such one would not be authorized, but there would be no spiritual or religious fellowshiping.”
1 de agosto de 1974 · pp.466-473 · par. 5, 9, 17-23 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“As to disfellowshiped family members (not minor sons or daughters) living outside the home, each family must decide to what extent they will have association with such ones. This is not something that the congregational elders can decide for them.”
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.20-26 · par. 12-16, 21-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?”
15 de setembro de 1981 · pp.26-31 · par. 11, 13, 18-19, 22-26 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Consequently, Christians related to such a disfellowshiped person living outside the home should strive to avoid needless association, even keeping business dealings to a minimum.”
15 de julho de 1985 · pp.30-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“But the Bible elsewhere shows that this had a wider application. ... John was saying that they ought not even greet such an individual with khaiʹro, a common “good-day.””
10 de junho de 1987 · pp.819 F.2d 875 · paras 1, 11-12, 23, 36-37 (as numbered in the Public.Resource.Org text) · United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
“Although we recognize that the harms suffered by Janice Paul are real and not insubstantial, permitting her to recover for intangible or emotional injuries would unconstitutionally restrict the Jehovah’s Witnesses free exercise of religion. ... The constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of religion requires that society tolerate the type of harms suffered by Paul as a price well worth paying to safeguard the right of religious difference that all citizens enjoy.”
15 de abril de 1988 · pp.26-31 · par. 3, 13-14, 17, 20, 23; footnote a · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. 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”
15 de julho de 1995 · pp.25-27 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Ever since the Christian congregation came into existence 19 centuries ago, true Christians have put up a hard fight to protect it from spiritual and moral uncleanness.”
1 de novembro de 1999 · pp.28-29 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience ... What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator.”
2008 · pp.207-209 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home.”
10 de junho de 2010 · paras 109-113 · European Court of Human Rights
“as long as self-dedication to religious matters is the product of the believer’s independent and free decision and however unhappy his or her family members may be about that decision, the ensuing estrangement cannot be taken to mean that the religion caused the break-up in the family.”
15 de janeiro de 2013 · pp.12-16 · par. 16-20 (quote at par. 19, p. 16) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else—including the family bond. ... Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail. (1 Cor. 5:11)”
15 de agosto de 2013 · p.8 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“parents may even study the Bible with a disfellowshipped minor who continues to live with them ... it would seem reasonable that a disfellowshipped minor could also quietly sit with his parents.”
outubro de 2016 · pp.13, 70-72 · section 7.7; endnotes 618-636 · Commonwealth of Australia (ISBN 978-1-925289-89-3, CC BY 3.0 AU)
“The Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s practice of shunning members who disassociate from the organisation has the very real potential of putting a survivor in the untenable position of having to choose between constant re-traumatisation at having to share a community with their abuser and losing that entire community altogether.”
setembro de 2017 · p.8 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Watch the video Loyally Uphold Jehovah’s Judgments—Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers, and then answer the following questions: What situation tested the loyalty of Sonja’s parents? What helped them to remain loyal? How did their loyalty to Jehovah benefit Sonja?”
outubro de 2017 · pp.12-16 · par. 17-20 (quote at par. 19) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Despite our pain of heart, we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media.”
“courts can only review the decisions of public decision-makers and that private decision-makers don’t have to follow fair procedures unless an enforceable legal right is at stake”
2019 · pp.141-156 · par. 24-40 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“When it is necessary to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made, stating: “[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This will alert faithful ones in the congregation to stop associating with that person.—1 Cor. 5:11.”
19 de janeiro de 2021 · pp.2458-2480 · Abstract; Results · Heather J. Ransom; Rebecca L. Monk; Derek Heim · Springer (open access, CC BY)
“Narratives suggest that experiences of ostracism following religious exit can be associated with diminished mental health, while having a sense of agency and establishing new (online) social connections may help mitigate adverse consequences.”
“De vzw Christelijke Gemeente van Jehovah’s Getuigen werd veroordeeld tot een geldboete van 96.000 euro voor het aanzetten tot discriminatie en haat tegen ex-leden.”
abril de 2021 · ch. 12 par. 17, 44-46; ch. 16 par. 27-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (published as inquiry evidence by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, New Zealand)
“If a publisher in the congregation is known to have unnecessary association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should use the Scriptures to counsel and reason with him. ... He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he persists in openly criticizing the disfellowshipping decision.”
31 de dezembro de 2022 · pp.105-120 · Abstract · Rosie Luther · Springer
“Results suggest shunning has a long-term, detrimental effect on mental health, job possibilities, and life satisfaction. ... Feelings of loneliness, loss of control, and worthlessness are also common after leaving.”
9 de agosto de 2023 · pp.644-662 · Abstract · Myriam V. Thoma; Andreas Goreis; Shauna L. Rohner; Urs M. Nater; Eva Heim; Jan Höltge · Taylor & Francis (open access, CC BY)
“This study assessed a sample of former Jehovah’s Witnesses (N = 424 ... ). Most participants (66%) were born into this faith community. Half the sample left voluntarily, 21% were expelled ... One third reported suicidal thoughts; 10% had attempted suicide.”
15 de março de 2024 · Mark Sanderson (Governing Body) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Under our current arrangement, we don’t say a greeting to individuals who’ve been removed from the congregation. However, the Governing Body has decided that publishers can use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to give a simple greeting and welcome a disfellowshipped individual who attends a congregation meeting.”
agosto de 2024 · pp.26-31 · par. 3-6, 10-15; footnote b; box · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
agosto de 2024 · pp.20-25 · par. 17-18 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“What about baptized minors—those under 18 years of age—who engage in serious wrongdoing? The body of elders will arrange for two elders to meet with the minor and his Christian parents. ... However, what if a baptized minor unrepentantly persists in a wrong course? In that case, a committee of elders will meet with him along with his Christian parents.”
“The State has not demonstrated in concrete terms whether, and to what extent, baptised minor members of Jehovah’s Witnesses actually experience pressure not to commit norm violations or not to withdraw, out of fear of being subjected to a disfellowshipping process ... and of losing relationships with family and friends within the religious community.”
29 de abril de 2026 · paras 4, 39-45, 94-102, 110-127, 149-152, 227-230 · Norges Høyesterett
“Members of the religious community are thus not to associate with former members, whether disfellowshipped or withdrawn. This also applies to close relatives, unless they belong to the same household. Family ties are not severed, but with regard to family members other than those with whom one lives, contact is permitted only in necessary family matters. It is undisputed that the threshold for such contact is relatively high.”
4 de junho de 2026 · Abstract · Windy A. Grendele; Savin Bapir-Tardy; Maya Flax · Springer (open access, CC BY)
“Twenty-one former Jehovah’s Witnesses who were officially shunned were interviewed online or by phone, and the data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. ... the majority of participants demonstrated resilience and psychological growth.”
18 de setembro de 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“So we do not socialize with someone who has been removed. However, we do not ignore him completely. We treat him with respect. He is welcome to attend our religious services, where he may be greeted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He may also request spiritual assistance from the elders.”
Something here wrong, unclear, or missing? Sugerir uma correção para esta página.
Corrections are checked against the original source and logged publicly.