Cacky, hope you feel better.

whytebird and Andria, wow!  You guys (or gals) wrote some deep and thoughtful comments here.  I almost had to get a kleenex!  snifflesfor-3

It's really heartbreaking to read this stuff and realize that there are people trapped in a pseudo religion that ultimately forces people out when they don't dance to the tune played.  Then, when those who are shunned go back, it's not for the "right" reasons, per se.  Like Andria indicated, it's not due to some heartfelt conviction and a great love of God, but rather the human need to be with those that one has been attached to for most of his or her life.  

If the apostle Paul were here, would he say that this is what he really meant to happen with shunning?