Opponents argue that “even children” are disfellowshipped. They call 17-year-olds “children” too, and turn a rare (but understandable) occurrence into a major issue.
Massimo Introvigne
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Shunning. 3. Shunning in Theory and Practice
There are several myths about shunning. It has exceptions, such as for cohabiting relatives. It is painful for both shunners and shunned. Its aim is both protecting the believers and inducing the sinners to repent.
Confucianism: “Atheism” or Religion? 2. In Search of Confucius
Scholars believe a sage called Kongzi (Confucius) did exist between the 6th and the 5th century BCE. He was a traditionalist who tried to restore the way of the ancient scholars.
Jehovah’s Getuigen en mijden: 2. Zich terugtrekken en uitsluiten
Zich terugtrekken is niet hetzelfde als inactief worden. En voor kleine fouten kan iemand niet uitgesloten worden, alleen voor ernstige zonden waarover geen berouw wordt getoond.
Confucianism: “Atheism” or Religion? 1. Is There Religion in China?
Confucianism is now presented in China as non-religious and an early form of atheism. To address the issue, we should first ask what “religion” in this discussion means.
Jehovah’s Getuigen en mijden: 1. Waarom wordt er gemeden?
Het mijden van uitgesloten ex-leden is kenmerkend voor monotheïstische religies. Wetenschappers hebben betoogd dat hier een reden voor is.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Shunning. 2. Disassociation and Disfellowshipping
Disassociation is not the same as simply becoming inactive. And there is no disfellowshipping for minor mistakes, only for unrepentant serious sins.
The Chinese Ethos of Citizen Diplomacy, from Guiguzi to Tai Ji Men
The ancient sage Guiguzi is traditionally considered the first teacher to have operated a school of diplomacy, both for government officers and common citizen. His spirit lives in the citizen diplomacy of Tai Ji Men.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Shunning. 1. Why Shunning?
Shunning disfellowshipped ex-members is typical of monotheistic religions. Scholars have argued there is a reason for it.
“Guru”: An Anti-Cult TV Miniseries About the Guru Jára Case
Screenwriter Jan Coufal offered a one-sided reconstruction of a sensational “cult” case regarding Guru Jára. He missed an opportunity.
Massimo Introvigne
Massimo Introvigne (born June 14, 1955 in Rome) is an Italian sociologist of religions. He is the founder and managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), an international network of scholars who study new religious movements. Introvigne is the author of some 70 books and more than 100 articles in the field of sociology of religion. He was the main author of the Enciclopedia delle religioni in Italia (Encyclopedia of Religions in Italy). He is a member of the editorial board for the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion and of the executive board of University of California Press' Nova Religio. From January 5 to December 31, 2011, he has served as the "Representative on combating racism, xenophobia and discrimination, with a special focus on discrimination against Christians and members of other religions" of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). From 2012 to 2015 he served as chairperson of the Observatory of Religious Liberty, instituted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to monitor problems of religious liberty on a worldwide scale.