by minimus 71 Replies latest jw friends
And I certainly wouldn't attack you to make a thread more interesting. If I offended you, I apologize.
Okay. Your post #20447 was the straw on the camel's back. I am done defending and
will not attack anymore either. Thanks for the lively debate.
Do JW's have the right to practice their religion- YES, legally. NO, morally.
Some countries put morality into the law, and crack down on them. I hope that spreads.
As mentioned by FF, cracking down is difficult- we could misapply any new laws.
UC, one day a lawyer will take on this case.
.to protect people from being shunned for trying to practice their Constitional rights or civil rights would be interesting. Say that I decide to vote in the next Presidential election...or...I openly associate with a DFd relative. I have the Constitional right to vote and associating with my family is a civil right, I would think. If I got DFd and then subsequently shunned for either of those "infractions" against church law, then wouldn't church law be in violation of denying someone their Constitional or civil rights? Wouldn't a protection be in order so one could not be punished for pursuing their rights?
In the USA, WTS is violating member's civil rights. No doubt about it IMO.
That's why they say "You decided on your own to totally shun those people, we only discussed the implications that
not shunning them would cause."
That's why they say a voter has chosen to be "no longer one of JW's." It is a legal distinction that you stopped practising the
religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. The members all (coincidentally at the same time) chose to shun you."
"You decided on your own to totally shun those people, we only discussed the implications that not shunning them would cause."
I'm sure it's all cleverly worded so as to make it sound as if all the Society did was to express the Biblical viewpoint and then all individual JWs had collectively decided to shun the wrongdoer.
What would be interesting is if enough JWs collectiviely decided to just not shun people. What authority could they exert over the non-shunners then?
Yes, is the short answer,but just as cigarettes come with a health warning so should the Watchtower product. They should have to carry the message, on every magazine and book ,"THIS INFORMATION CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR WEALTH ,MIND AND BODY , AS ALL OUR PREDICTIONS ARE FALSE."
When I was a boy there used to be a newpaper published called Billy's Weekly Liar. The difference with that and the Watchtower was that one was very funny and the other ,well you know what that's like.
Edmund.
It probably depends on what country the JW's are in.
With great freedoms come great responsibility. This must be true of religious freedom. The WTS does not own up to any responsibility for it's actions therefore, no - I don't believe they should be given that freedom. I believe there is a definition of gross negligence which can be applied to those people/organizations that knowingly cause harm to others. The WTS has done this and the damage to people within its community has been extensive. This may in fact be construed as criminal action and they should be held accountable for it.
A lifer in the religion is brainwashed and psychiatric journals support this, therefore, when the watchtower told people to quit their jobs in 75 and spend all their time in dedication and service to them - many did. Most of those lost houses, pensions and in some cases families. The WTS did not take responsibility for that. The WTS told all young people not to get an education - many followed those instructions because they were told they must do so as armaggedon was tomorrow. Most of those people, many of them honor students - did what they were told and now barely exist on the janitorial jobs they can get. The watchtower has used their flock as free labor, fully recognizing that many of them struggle financially and in other ways yet they demand more time and money paid to them. The WTS takes no responsibility for that. The society has disfellowshipped and then given strict instructions to shun, some emotionally, physically and mentally ill people - some who have committed suicide as a result of that action. The WTS has taken no responsibility for that.
The WTS teaches and breeds hatred for everyone outside their religion. Why else are so many JW's that are cast out in the world, terrified of the people around them? The WTS teaches that if you marry outside their doors, you are laying with pigs...(so to speak)..they teach their kids that all association outside of their walls is bad association and feed them images of fornication, drugs, hatred for them. They accept no respnsibility for this.
The WTS instructs its members to deny all governments and organizations, yet they themselves reap the rewards of government tax credits and investments. They urge their members to use government funds to exist if they have to, including war, postal, and other public pensions if they can. Yet, they then demand 'donations' from the very funds distributed by a government they teach their members to hate. Is this responsible?
sammieswife.
Junction .Thanks for telling me what Fundie is!!!!! Learn something every day
Yes they have the right to practice their religion as people have the right to accept or deny it and it is unfortunate that when a family member chooses to deny it all the consequences that follow
Yes they have the right to practice their religion as people have the right to accept or deny it and it is unfortunate that when a family member chooses to deny it all the consequences that follow
I support the "right" to do many things-----including things I wouldn't do. If an exjw wants to march in front of a KH that's their right. It's not for me. I see some downsides but I also respect other alternatives. If WE can go against the Watchtower, I'm sure that the flipside is fair enough.
I look at my mom and see that even if she did leave at over 80 years of age, what will her life be like.? I'm just I got out when I did.
