1, Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
And many of us exercised that right. No one can stop us from 'not' being a JW anymore. They have no power - no one is locked in a compound or forced into a van at gunpoint and driven to a sunday meeting.
Everything is voluntary.
2, Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
And when we decide that we no longer want to be part of that 'club' ... then they are allowed to not talk to us because of it in the same way that we can decide we don't want to talk to them, or anyone else, for any reason whatsoever!
Hey, it's stupid and it makes them look like a controlling cult which should warn others not to join but you cannot prescribe against people chosing to follow those rules if they wish because again, no one forces them to do so. And lets not forget, these are rules that we too once followed.
Now I understand, it's easier to say "I was badly treated" or "my rights were violated" rather than "I was a stupid idiot" but the reality is, most of us were stupid idiots.
Of course many of us knew no different and were brought up with a limited amount of information ... in which case it was our parents that were stupid idiots or our grandparents. Lets be honest - someone, sometime was stupid and fell for a big fat juicy pile of BS lies. But how do you legislate against that when 80% of the planet also believes equally ludicrous stories and believes in nonsense that they allow to control their lives, even wrecking it sometimes.
They also put pressure on people to conform but then so do most big employers - everywhere has rules.
How do people picture the law working? That a judge will order mommy to invite you to dinner? That you will be guaranteed at least 2% of members greet you if you go to a KH?
The Catholic church is morally responsible for encouraging people not to wear condoms and the spread of AIDs as a result. Are they legally responsible? No. That is where we are with shunning - it's morally wrong and a sign that they are a cult, it should serve as a warning to potential new recruits that hey, you may be better giving this religion a pass (which is why sharing experiences and offering support is so much more important and effective) but someone thinks the US government is going to swoop in and fix their lives and the mistakes of the past?
It's never going to happen and in the meantime it help the WTS with THEIR message that they are being persecuted and there are groups out to get them.
This is why I think it's a net negative with no positives.
