THE GOVERMENT AND SHUNNING.....

by Mary 37 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Mary

  After reading the tragedy of Puternut, I was thinking that perhaps it's time that the government took another look at what can happen when they allow religions like the JWs, to cut off family members without a second thought. Surely someone's Rights to have normal religions with their family should come before Freedom of Religion.

  Isn't it ironic that the GB fought so hard in court to obtain Freedom of Religion, yet their own members commit suicide when they try to express this very Right.

  Does anyone think the U.S. or Canadian government would review a petition asking for them to make it illegal for religions to shun people??
• 

  DaCheech

  I second this!

  If shunning would be illegal........ I would leave the meetings right now!!!
• 

  gumby

  Does anyone think the U.S. or Canadian government would review a petition asking for them to make it illegal for religions to shun people??

  I think they would review it, but cannot do a thing about it as their own laws protect religious freedom. It sure the hell would be worth a try though.

  Gumby
• 

  DaCheech

  You gotta get them and try to prove a pattern between Df'ing and the special needs talk done a couple of weeks after. If you can record a high enough pattern then you can probably get them for defamation????????
• 

  alamb

  It boils down to a conflict in rights...which is an ongoing debate.

  The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion (barring any beliefs that are illegal i.e. polygamy, etc.) v. human rights as guaranteed by numerous laws.

  I have been battling this for years and no one will touch it. We have rights as parents, grandparents, children, humans. Which takes priority?

  I agree whole-heartedly. Something must be done.
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  DaCheech

  WE gotta concentrate on 1 point: document it, and show undeniable proof
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  Darth Yhwh

  I was thinking that perhaps it's time that the government took another look at what can happen when they allow religions like the JWs, to cut off family members without a second thought.

  Just how much control do you want your government to have? A family's religious freedom is just that. If they choose to shun their own and create divisions amongst themselves, than so be it. You cannot leglislate morility or family values. Once you begin to try you overstep the boundaries of a democratic society.

  I personally feel that my government has already taken too many liberties with it's power and my personal freedom. I certainly would not vote for them to have any more power over what or how my family chooses to operate.
• 

  Clam

  It surprises me that in a such a litigious society as the States that no one has sued the WTS, even individual elders for causing pernicious harm by ordering disassociation. Isn't there a record over there of at least one "no win no fee" attorney having a crack at it?
• 

  West70

  Sue the WTS and Elders using the "TORT OF MISREPRESENTATION".
  
  I assure you that it will work every bit as well against "shunning" as it will against the "blood issue".
• 

  greendawn

  The best way is to make people aware of the shunning policies of the JWs before they show interest in them or join eg one having a bible study. They certainly do not allow any margins for conscientious objectors to the org's policies. As for the petition it's always worth trying it will after all create some publicity.