Dedalus,
Thank you for clarifying. I do understand what you're saying.
We've often compared disfellowshipping to death, especially since JWs treat DFd people as walking dead. That's why I thought the analogy could fit. I also think the Society's witch-hunt, focusing on the four people involved in the Dateline piece, does make them martyrs.
Is Bill's literal life at risk? Is he fighting for a Democratic government? Is he Chinese? Of course not, but I think there are enough similarities to justify the analogy.
As for attention-grabbing? Well, maybe Bill has learned the fine art of the sound bite.
Anyway, as you said, we can agree to disagree. When I saw the initial exchange between you and Michael, I just worried that another rip-roaring JWD flame war was abrewin'.
Hmmm