you've raised some very interesting points DT - my ideas aren't fully fledged but here goes
It's amazing how the Watchtower Society uses "freedom of religion" as a legal protection to violate the religious freedoms of others. The punishment for leaving their religion is so severe that many people stay to avoid being cut off from their family and friends. These people don't really have freedom of religion. |
the wts could argue against your last sentence by saying that the people who cut you off are doing so freely and are exercising their freedom. Secondly by giving people lots of rules and regulations to live by one could argue that the WTS is increasing people's freedoms by enabling them to regulate their conduct, set firm guidelines on how to worship and provide association with other like minded people, for example. I think many JWs see freedom in this light and could argue that freedom of religion enables them to lead happier and freerer lives. They don't see repressive measures as repressive but as freeing.
The courts are generally reluctant to interfere in the internal dealings of a church (they might make an exception in extreme cases like child abuse) so the Watchtower Society has a lot of freedom to use intimidation and the threat of breaking family ties to enforce its own will. They can always argue that person in question willingly subjected themselves to the authority of the Watchtower Society by getting baptised. |
(I love these boxes)
Yes - we gave consent when we joined. But indivduals like you and me and most of us here subscribe to the view that people change and indeed swing away from viewing lots of rules as enabling freedom and happiness. But I don't think the government can act on behalf of individuals until they are sure that anarchy wouldn't result.
I think minimus' thread makes some intereting points about individuality versus living in a strict community http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/173691/1/Did-You-Like-Being-Told-What-To-Do-When-You-Were-A-Witness
But regarding your point about suing re shunning there has been a thread about a lawsuit in belgium wherein the lawsuit seems to be working towards being successful. I'll see if I can find it
and here it is