One of the most traumatic practices of some churches of the past (and sadly, in some cases, the present) is shunning. In fact, shunning today might be considered a form of emotional abuse. Shunning occurs when someone is labeled as having transgressed the rules and guidelines of the church in some way. When someone in the church is “shunned,” they are stamped as a sinner and dismembered from the body. Until he or she repents (if at all), he or she is thrust out of the faith community and essentially “disowned” by family and friends alike.

By disowned, I mean, banned by one’s entire community: family, friends, relatives –everyone. It’s a severe form of punitive judgment sentenced by the elders of the church or pastor. It’s usually based in a view of scripture that puts punishment and a lot…