yeah, but the person shunned can't come back again.

but they do have group support.
I haven't been too impressed living by the Amish...but then, I was an outsider.

That seems cold-hearted to me, but then again, maybe it's how they keep their sanity. If we were ALL ex-communicated for various reasons, we'd all be screwed, I know I would be. I kinda wish I had raised my kids Mormon instead of Catholic. Mormons are a lot less likely to drink, IDK. It sucks, enough said.

I find it to be a bit of an irony that such a fundamental Christian group refuses to extend Grace to one of their own ... We may need to turn our backs for a while, but most of us aren't so hard forever ..

Great thought! But impossible for me! Totally impossible.
I wish I could be that way....there is NO WAY I could ever.

I actually begged my therapist today to help me turn my back more...because the love is killing me.

LOL...I laugh because it makes me think this too: Imagine if the laws for 'child abuse' where active when we were younger, we'd all have been orphans as our parents would be all in jail. BUT, I had the fear of God! When my Father said 'I brought you into this world and I can TAKE YOU OUT!' I BELIEVED HIM! My Mother was shorter than me but scared the HECK out of me! And I did NOT want my FATHER taking that dang belt off for ANYTHING! They were heavy handed and we just NEVER crossed the line! It was that simple! There were rules, you broke them, you would have a consequence! And my Grandmother instilled in me that God was ALWAYS watching! (imagine me typing and looking all around as I say that!) Now not saying I was 'perfect'! FAR from it! BUT I had a good dose of healthy fear for right/wrong. Not to mention parents TALKED to each other. If I did something wrong, that phone tree was burning and I'd walk in the door to 'that look' and KNEW I was screwed!

To clarify, I was just venting and thinking out loud. I would never disallow my child - or anyone else I love - the chance for redemption. It is the basis of Christianity.

Gordos 4, it doesn't matter how well you raised your children, as we found out. You do the best you can. One denomination isn't better than another. I've know people from ALL denominations - yes, even Mormon - who become alcoholics, drug addicts, sex addicts, and every other unthinkable thing.

Following Christ is what we strive for as believers, and we purpose to train up our children accordingly. But eventually, they make their own choices. It's exceedingly difficult, but we must place the responsibility for their choices squarely on their shoulders where it belongs.

Thanks for this topic...
I don't like to see others who are not doing wrong paying the price for those that do
Why should everyone have a privilege removed because some are abusers??
why don't the abusers alone have to pay the consequences?
this can happen in an office environment, school and also families!!!
seems like anyone should pay the appropriate consequence for any wrong they do Alone....the more serious the harm the more serious the consequence
After that others can let it go...