Mirinda v. Arizona is the landmark court case which lead to the now famous Miranda Admonishment/Rights were are familiar with. Back in 1966 Ernesto Miranda was arrested for the kidnapping and rape of a 18-year-old woman. He signed a confession after 2 hours of interrogation by the police, but was never told he had a right to remain silent or have an attorney.
Miranda Warning
You have the right to remain silent. Any statement you make may be used as evidence against you at your trial. You have a right to have a lawyer present prior to and during questioning. If you are unable to employ a lawyer you have the right to have one appointed to you. You have the right to terminate the interview at any time. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you? Do you wish to answer my questions at this time?
Imagine is there was an admonishment printed in every copy of ever Watchtower publication similiar to this. Imagine if it went something like this:
Watchtower Admonishment
Prospective Bible student:
It is the express purpose of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society and the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses that, by your voluntary study of this publication with Jehovah's Witnesses, you will become a baptised, dedicated publisher, which will mark you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Such dedication implies you voluntarily comply with all doctrines and guidelines set forth by the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society and freely admit that those doctrines are true.
Upon your dedication and baptism, any voluntary acts that could be considered to be disharmonious with Watchtower doctrines or guidelines, or any statements that could be considered in opposition to these doctrines or guidelines, or any attempt to cease acknowledging that Jehovah's Witnesses are the only true religion will result in you being disfellowshipped or disassociated by the Watchtowe Bible & Tract Society and the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Disfellowshipping or Disassociation means that all members of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses will be instructed to cease all communication with you as well as any unnecessary dealings. This includes, but is not limited to, famliy members living outside your home, relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. If the aforementioned voluntarily communicate with you, they are subject to disfellowshipping.
Do you understand this admonishment as read?
Do you wish to continue with this study?
I wonder how many people would have joined if such an admonishment were given ahead of time?
