I just got this over the phone from a contact in France. I have asked him to send me a news article on it, so I hope all is accurate.
This is a fallout from the recent clamping down on sects in Europe that might be considered a danger to the State (whereever that is).
http://www.watchtowernews.org/francecrackdown.htm
Anyway, it appears that if a religion goes to court and loses two trials over X amount of time, they are liable to be cancelled (I am not sure what it means, but it is not good). Probably no state funding or helps, plus taxes as a business.
Also they are paving the way for civil suits against religion by the victims, something too costly and difficult in the U.S. due to our constitution, etc. There are "public utility" organizations(?) that are set up to allow civil suits from individuals to proceed. In the end, two civil suits brought on to JWs or another religion that are successful could cause the religion to be cancelled.
I am sorry but I have no more details at the moment. If this has already been covered, my apologies, but I think it is new.
Randy Watters
Net Soup!
http://www.freeminds.org