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Shunned Mennonite Farmer Tries Court Fight Over Ostracism
Robert Bear, a 45 year old Mennonite farmer in Cumberland County Pennsylvania, was excommunicated in 1972 for publicly criticizing church doctrine and bishops including his brother in law. His wife and six children left him, his farm suffers, and he has filed a state Supreme Court suit challenging the shunning practice, while publishing a book about his experience. The case raises church autonomy versus civil rights as Bear seeks due process and reconsideration.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bear
Reformed Mennonite Church
United States
Canada
Gale Bear
State Supreme Court
Glenn Gross
Supreme Court
David
Benjamin
Patricia
Rachel
Susan
Sharon
Camp Hil
Reformed Mennonite Movement
Mennonite Church
Robert
Gross
Robert Bear
Cumberland County
Te Reformed Mennonite Church