Haven't seen mention of this by anyone else so here goes...since
Many governments are about control and obedience and ultimately utter dependence on it
Maybe WTBTS wants to demonstrate how it exercises control and creates utter dependence by
Discouraging all the things which encourage independence in both action and thought ie..higher education wealth freedom of thought and then
Severe punishment for non compliance to doctrines. BY DF ing and shunning
Maybe the want to show them how to dominate and control the masses with mind control. Your thoughts?