Shunning
is a technique that the Watchtower uses not only to control their current
members, but their former members as well. The Watchtower uses very effective methods
of teaching their followers that former members (also called apostates,
especially if the former member has joined a Christian church) are persons to be avoided and feared. When a Jehovah’s
Witness is disfellowshipped, disassociated, or just walks away from the
organization, he or she will be shunned. Family and friends are not only
encouraged to shun the former member, but they are required to take steps to no
speak to the former member and not even say hello to the person. The Watchtower
teaches their members to practice rudeness to their former members. As someone
who has experienced shunning very recently, here are some examples from my own
family: While visiting a non-JW cousin in the hospital, the older brother of
the non JW took it upon himself to turn his head the other way if I were
nearby. If I said, “hello”, he just ignored me as though he did not hear me.
