Should Jehovah's Witnesses be banned by secular authorities? (page 2)

Terry

All "true" christians self-identify as persecuted even if they have to become so obnoxious it would be impossible not to fall into the trap of making it tough for them.

When Judge Rutherford whipped up the combative spirit among the Russellite leftovers he made enemies right and left among the nations of the world, the churches and in schools and courthouses. JW's really get off on persecution!

There is so little in this religion that is real and verifiable it is incumbent upon each JW to do everything possible to provoke persecution.

That, at least, is tangible!

The secular world can never rid itself of the mythos of religious zealots. It only drives them deeper into their fantasy.

But, you can't blame any government for thinking it might avoid controversy by marginalizing a religion such as Jehovah's Witnesses.

What would actually work better than banning would be creating a large public forum for exposing the craziness in public debates designed to enumerate the failed prophecies and deaths engendered by radical beliefs.

You defeat bad ideas with better ideas; not by banning.

Soldier77

Hey Spade, got a link to your avatar? That would make a killer tattoo!

DaCheech

Are 6 year old children pressured or terrorized into getting baptized? If yes, they are guilty of a scam. And, like any scam, they should be shut down.

jw's decision to get baptized has life-long consequences, if they believe that a child should be held to a contract they signed as a child? then what?

teaching a minor that not getting baptized will mark their forever death. teaching them that unbeliever daddy will be forever destroyed. teaching them.......................

things like this are taught in alot of religions, but the diffrence in JW religion is: they proselitize to non-believers and telling them half-truths. therefore making situations like this very dangerous.

they divide families and force children to take sides!

Lozhasleft

I really dont care

Loz x

BluesBrother

They banned then in the Soviet Block and they thrived underground. There is nothing like feeling persecuted to make you stronger and more active in your cause. Anyway, banning movements because we disagree with them is morally wrong .....

Mad Sweeney

Should Jehovah's Witnesses be banned by secular authorities?

No, but the Watchtower Society, and any other mind control cult should be taxed into oblivion. There is absolutely no reason they should be tax exempt. The entire point of a tax exemption for religion is the premise that religions serve an important social function via charities. The Watchtower cult serves no important social function and its members are more likely to be a drain on society due to their "less education" doctrine.

They should pay their way or get out of business.

In an ideal world there would be no religion but that's for the more enlightened generations of the future.

SweetBabyCheezits

If the goal is to avoid impinging on human rights, I agree that taxation would be a good first step.

Long term plan, IMO, would involve getting to the very ROOTS of the problem, though. Critical thinking is one of the greatest solvents to JW faith. Grade school curriculum MUST emphasize critical thinking skills. That would teach the kids to question their own cherished beliefs early in life (ie, independent thinking). It would have to be persistent. If required by government, that could possibly allow reason to wedge itself in the minds of the children and prevent a totally closed mind as an adult.

In England (if I remember correctly) one study revealed that only 1 in 12 kids divert from the religion of parents. Once they latch onto what mum and dad believe, their chances of defecting are slim.

Educate the children properly and the cycle will break down over time. That's my theory but I could be wrong.