väliseksut

Väliseksut is a Finnish term that translates to "external excommunication" or "external expulsion." It refers to a situation where an individual is formally excluded from a religious community or organization, not necessarily due to a personal transgression or doctrinal error, but rather for reasons external to their direct affiliation or belief. This could include situations where a community is dissolved, merged, or its doctrines are so drastically altered that an individual can no longer be considered a member.

Historically, the concept might arise when a religious group is forced to disband or is absorbed into another, leading to the formal removal of members who do not fit the new structure or beliefs. It can also be applied in cases where a religious organization is no longer recognized or sanctioned by a larger governing body, leading to the "external" excommunication of its members. The emphasis is on the act of removal originating from external factors rather than internal disciplinary action.

In modern contexts, väliseksut is less commonly used, as formal excommunication is typically a deliberate act of a religious institution. However, the underlying principle can still be observed in situations where individuals find themselves no longer associated with a religious group due to changes in the group's status or structure, even if they haven't personally renounced their faith or violated any rules. The term highlights the passive nature of the exclusion, where the individual is removed due to circumstances beyond their immediate control.