Barbara,
Thanks for the information. I think that the WTS will have to change the DF/shunning policy simply to survive. The campaign in Brazil, the BBC interview, Worlds apart, and others are drawing attention to this policy. It is a true violation of human rights that people will shun you simply because of what you believe. It certainly goes against the freedom of speech, and freedom of religion clauses in the US constitution.
The WTS will be forced to change as there is more attention on them. This policy along with Blood is one of the main reasons they are having court battles in Russia.
One other side point, The primary reason that they hate facebook and other social networks is because many witnesses are associating with DF family members online. As society in general becomes more connected through these types of networks the organization becomes ever more fearful of the things they cannot control. This makes them look more and more authoritarian and paranoid, which in turn makes the average person think "What are they afraid of?" "What are they hiding?".
The organization's policies will be the source of its own demise.
SIAM