Observer,

Catholics and Mormons do practice excommunication. Basically, the offending person (formerly in good standing), is "kicked out". They are ineligible for sacraments, or whatever else is deemed spiritually beneficial to members.

However, this business of personally snubbing someone CAN be cruel and childish. It's different than removing them from the church's membership list, or barring them from sacraments (which Henry VIII incurred for defying Rome).

When you turn up your nose, take your cafeteria tray and flounce off haughtily -- giving the victim "the silent treatment", that's NASTY.

Of course it hurts. Do not compare it to spanking kids. That is inappropriate and sets you up as the high and mighty adult, and the "offender" as the child to be straightened out.

Would you spank your Mother? Suppose you're still living at home, Observer (don't know your age). Your Mother is in unrepentant sin. So whilst living under her roof, you "spank" your mother by shunning her?!

You don't eat at her table, won't talk to her, do chores, etc. That's so rotten nasty I could vomit.

Frankly, maybe the shunned person should do some shunning of her own. Who says h/she even needs YOU and your approval?

******************

And as for the military, it is NOT a smoke screen but a reality. You DO have an intensely close rapport with buddies, and that's a form of fellowship.

Just how would a Christian soldier explain that he is "punishing" a buddy, when in the next second, he clings to him for dear life, as that "sinner-buddy" carries his sorry ass to safety?