Shunning, Mennonites and Amish

• 
  

  On the continuing topic of the practice of shunning in the Mennonite and Amish faith.  Judith just wrote in and I responded below.  She supports shunning.  I do not...

  
  

  
  

  Judith

  Shunning (March 23rd, 2015 at 22:48)

  Shunning

  Non Mennonites and non Amish shun people every day. Family members who have continually abused others in any fashion are cut loose from the fold frequently. It is a survival mechanism. “It only takes one rotten apple to ruin the barrel.” People usually realize they can only take so much. Over the years who has not distanced themselves from a friend or family member who refuses to evolve out of their detrimental ways? Protection and self preservation are strong instincts. Tough love may seem as cruel as shunning. May you be blessed in your life and never feel pushed to these all too common and unfortunate reactions. I have a close friend who is an old order buggy Mennonite. She is upbeat , fun and loves to laugh. I have been to her church. I am sure there are many there who are very strict and rigid especially amoung the older members but feel the parishioners are as diverse as in any church. We are all individuals deep down but many feel the comfort of being part of a group is worth conforming. Finding a group you feel is the closest to your beliefs is the key.
  
• 

  Shunning a Hate Crime (March 24th, 2015 at 08:55)

  Shunning a Hate Crime

  Your reasoning is faulty. Because others do something never makes a right. so I really don’t care what others are doing I am looking at core values. Tough love and shunning may be on a continuum but shunning is the worst level. It is more like a hate crime. The bad apple analogy is weak. In a christian community people help people period. What would Jesus do is my bottom line and I don’t recall him shunning or ignoring any one. Mennonites and Amish have it all wrong. There is a better way based on love, compassion, decency, humanitary feelings and the basic values of Christianity.