Should my friend be excommunicated?

[Tex]

Originally Posted by BYU71

I think they should institute a new term. Dropped from the records. Excommunication sounds harsh and like the person did something evil.

If they join another church and actively preach for that religion, why not just drop them from the records. It acknowledges they are no longer a member, but not because of any evil thing they did.

Name removal is not the same as excommunication.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by ute4ever

Why should the church take the first step?

"Hey I noticed that you joined another faith. Can we do anything to help permanently sever our ties?"

Because the bishop has a responsibility for everyone on the ward's records. Home teachers have a responsibility for this person.

[ERCougar]

Originally Posted by RC Vikings

I'm not sure what that would accomplish. I thought being ex'ed was used as a tool to start someone toward repentance. It would seem like a total waste of time in this case.

I think this idea of exing someone to start the path of repentance has been the style in the past, but it seems to be decreasingly the case--disfellowshipping seems to be used for this, while excommunicating seems to be reserved for those who are actively fighting or bringing shame to the church. IOW, we excommunicate those who don't seem to have any interest in coming back. I think this is completely appropriate.

[ute4ever]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Because the bishop has a responsibility for everyone on the ward's records. Home teachers have a responsibility for this person.

Perhaps President Monson should retract last month's general conference address where he asked those who have wandered to return. Being a gospel of inclusion and all.

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St. Peter: Please give an accounting of your stewardship as a bishop.

Bishop: My numbers were higher than average, because I closed the book on those who stopped attending.

St. Peter: Well done. Enter, your ten virgins are waiting.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by ute4ever

Perhaps President Monson should retract last month's general conference address where he asked those who have wandered to return. Being a gospel of inclusion and all.

----------

St. Peter: Please give an accounting of your stewardship as a bishop.

Bishop: My numbers were higher than average, because I closed the book on those who stopped attending.

St. Peter: Well done. Enter, your ten virgins are waiting.

These two concepts are not necessarily at odds with each other. If someone formally belongs to another faith, I don't see a problem with simply asking them if they would like their names removed from the records of the church. No coercion or persuasion is required.

[MikeWaters]

what does "name removed" but still being a member mean?

Thanks in advance.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Adam

71's suggestion for a new status of "name removed" without excommunication would be a great option. Of course the church will never go for it--not punitive enough.

http://cougarguard.com/forum/showpos...3&postcount=11

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by Adam

71's suggestion for a new status of "name removed" without excommunication would be a great option. Of course the church will never go for it--not punitive enough.

Nonsense. People quietly have their names removed from the rolls of the church all the time. Just happened last month. The person decided of their own volition that the church wasn't for them and they simply wanted out. The request was processed.

No church disciplinary action was taken. Only 5 people know it even happened.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Nonsense. People quietly have their names removed from the rolls of the church all the time. Just happened last month. The person was up to all sorts of stuff and they decided of their own volition that the church wasn't for them and they simply wanted out. The request was processed.

No church disciplinary action was taken. Only 5 people know it even happened.

And everybody reading this site.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by Archaea

And everybody reading this site.

No name was given. Good luck figuring out who it was.