Shunning

Sometimes, a group of people stops talking to one person. This is called shunning. It can happen in a church or a small town. A group might do this to follow their rules.

Sometimes, even a family might stay away from a person. This can happen if they do not agree on things. It can feel very lonely for the person.

Some groups use shunning as a way to show what they believe. They may use it to keep their group close. This can make people feel afraid to leave.

In the past, people in old cities did this too. It was a way to punish people. Now, many groups have new ways to handle problems. It is a very big part of how people live together.

Shunning is when a group stops talking to someone. It can be a formal rule. It can also be a way people act together. This happens in many tight groups. It often happens in religious groups.

Some groups use shunning to follow their rules. The Amish and Mennonites use a form of it. They may refuse to eat with certain people. Jehovah's Witnesses also use a practice. They call it "removal from the congregation." Elders decide when to do this. In the past, members did not even say hello. Now, they may give a brief greeting.

In the Bahá'í Faith, unity is a very high value. People may shun those who cause a split. The Church of Scientology calls it "disconnection." Members may stop all contact with certain people. This can even include family members.

Shunning can happen for many reasons. It might happen if someone marries outside their group. It can also happen if someone speaks out against the group. This can be very hard for people. It can cause a lot of sadness and stress. Some people stay in a group just to avoid being shunned.

Shunning is a way that people or groups reject others. It can be a formal rule made by a large group. It can also be a less formal action by many people at once. Sometimes, people use shunning to show they are unhappy with a family member. This can even lead to more shunning within a family. This social rejection can be very hard on a person. Some researchers say it can cause psychological damage.

Shunning works by creating distance between people. A group might decide to stop interacting with an individual. This is often used as a punishment for not following rules. It can happen if a person is seen as a threat. Some people are shunned for being whistleblowers or for having different ideas. It can also happen because of a person's love life. For example, families might shun a couple for an interfaith marriage.

Many different groups have used shunning throughout history. In ancient Athens, people used a practice called ostracism. In Balinese society, a practice called kasepekang is still used. Some religious groups have very specific rules for this. The Amish and Mennonite communities use a practice called meidung. Historically, the Schwarzenau Brethren used a form called "avoidance." They would refuse to eat with people the church had set apart.

Different religions have their own names and ways of shunning. In the Catholic Church, there was a rare rule called excommunication vitandi. Jehovah's Witnesses used the term "disfellowshipping" for many years. In 2024, they changed this term to "removal from the congregation." In the Bahá'í Faith, members shun those called Covenant-breakers. The Church of Scientology calls their practice "disconnection." This can involve stopping all contact with family members.

Shunning is often found in very tight communities. People in these groups might fear losing their social status. In Judaism, a high level of exclusion is called Cherem. This is still used in some Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic communities. Sometimes, shunning is used as pressure to make people change. For instance, it can be used to help a wife get a divorce. Understanding shunning helps us see how groups use social rules to stay together.

Shunning is a form of social rejection or emotional distance. It occurs when a person or a group deliberately avoids association with someone else. This can happen through a formal decision by a large organization. It can also be an informal action taken by many people at once to show solidarity. Shunning acts as a sanction against association. It is often used by tightly knit communities or religious groups. This practice can cause significant psychological damage to the person being rejected. Some researchers even categorize it as a form of torture or a low-cost punishment for failing to cooperate with a group.

The mechanism of shunning works by creating a barrier to social interaction. A group may identify a person as a threat or a source of conflict. This person might be labeled as an apostate, a whistleblower, or a dissident. In some cases, shunning is used to punish strikebreakers. The rejection can also stem from personal choices, such as interfaith marriages. In these instances, a family might shun a couple due to personal beliefs or fear of community reactions. Sometimes, shunning can even be used by an individual within a family to express discontent. This can lead to a cycle where one person shuns another to stop them from shunning someone else.

There are different types of social and mental rejection. Social rejection is the outward act of avoiding a person. Mental rejection is a more individual and internal action. It involves a person willfully or subconsciously ignoring certain ideas or information. This often happens when a person wants to avoid a specific viewpoint. Groups may form around the shared practice of shunning the same ideas. These different methods allow groups to maintain control over their members and their beliefs.

History shows that shunning has been used in many different cultures and legal systems. In ancient Athens, citizens used a practice known as ostracism to exclude people. In Balinese society, a practice called kasepekang is still used today. Religious groups have developed their own specific rules for these actions. For example, the Schwarzenau Brethren historically practiced "avoidance." This meant they would refuse to eat with any family member the church had placed in avoidance. These historical examples show that social exclusion has long been a tool for managing community behavior.

Many modern religious organizations have specific names and procedures for shunning. In Anabaptist communities, such as the Amish and Mennonites, the practice is called meidung or banning. The Catholic Church previously had a rare form of excommunication called excommunication vitandi. This required members to shun an individual in secular matters, but this distinction was abolished in 1983. Jehovah's Witnesses formerly used the term "disfellowshipping." In March 2024, they changed this to "removal from the congregation." While members used to avoid even greeting these individuals, they can now offer brief greetings at meetings unless the person is an apostate.

Other faiths also have formal systems of exclusion. In Judaism, the highest form of censure is called Cherem. This is a total exclusion from the community and is still used in Hasidic and Ultra-Orthodox groups. In the Bahá'í Faith, members must shun those declared to be Covenant-breakers. These individuals are seen as leaders of groups that challenge the legitimacy of the faith's leadership. The Church of Scientology uses a practice called disconnection. This requires members to stop all communication with "suppressive persons." This can include cutting off contact with immediate family members. In the United States, courts have ruled that this practice is not truly voluntary due to the intense pressure on members.

Shunning is closely connected to the concept of social status and community unity. In tight-knit communities, people often participate in shunning because they fear losing their own standing. In some Orthodox Jewish communities, shunning is used as social pressure to influence behavior. For example, it may be used to compel a husband to grant his wife a divorce. This can include refusing him certain religious rituals or business opportunities. Ultimately, shunning serves as a powerful way for groups to enforce their rules and maintain their shared identity.