Paraphrasing something Stephen Weinberg once said, though it has probably been said by others. "Generally you will have good people doing good things and bad people doing bad things, but it takes religion to get good people to do bad things."

I have lost two sisters, nieces and nephews included, to this cult. Very saddening.

Didn't realize other groups than the Amish and Menonites practice shunning. Well without blood tranfusions I would be an obituary.

Yup I know someone who had remained JW for just this reason. The idea of losing all family and friends is unbearable to her.

Jews, "render the cloth", christians excommunicate and Muslims outcast. Nothing new with the zealot community.

Did you hear about the horror story that takes place in an Amish community? It's called "The Shunning."