What should governments do ....?

by sleepy 3 Replies latest jw friends

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  sleepy

  What should governments do in order to protect its people from religious cults?

  Do you think the governments of this world are doing enought, it seams that democracies are too soft on crazy religions.France is the only one that is being tought at the moment.

  Only dictators and the like seam to be jumping on the witnesses.

  Maybe religions should be made to report to governments on a regular basis with a account of their activities , also an independent organisation could be used to investigate how religions and such things are run , and whether they are benifiting or harming the country.

  But do religions like the Jehovahs witnesses matter enought to be a concern to them?

  I
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  Rado Vleugel

  I fully agree with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that states:

  Article 18.
  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 teaching, practice, worship and observance.

  Although I fully disagree with the Watchtower I dont think it is a good idea to start a witch hunt on Jehovahs Witnesses an other cults.
  
  Because of the obvious dangers sect like the Jehovahs Witnesses do have, it is important that governments monitor these groups and interfere if necessary. Note that also mainstream religious groups like the Catholic Church can have a harmful effect on its members.
  
  Just my thoughts,
  Rado Vleugel
  Watchtower Information Service
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  DakotaRed

  The cost of having a free society is that groups like the JWs exist and are allowed to operate. If the government cracks down on them, who else will they crack down on? What you would end up with is a state sponsored religion, putting us back to square one.

  However, along with the freedom for these religous groups to operate, we also have the freedom to expose them, within limits, of course. We cannot fabricate claims and commit slander. But, when ones like the JWs supply such a wealth of information on their false predicitons, cover-ups, mind control and flip flopping doctrines, we are free to openly expose them and do so.

  Freedoms don't come free and we all must do whatever we can to protect them. The current exposes' on the Watchtower are accomplishing what is needed. No, I don't believe it will casue the downfall of the Watchtower, but it will plant seeds and open eyes and hearts. Like I keep saying, they are their own worst enemy and will eventually hang themselves.
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  Amazing

  Hi Sleepy: I think making religion directly accountable to governent is dangerous. However, religion is already acountable IF they commit crimes, such as drug abuse, sacramental murder, rape or incest, and financial fraud, etc. Religions are already accountable to individuals with respect to civil causes of action.

  However, I have no objection to either publicly or privately sponsored "Information Services" that act like "Credit Reporting Agency" where a person can access information truly critical and informative about ANY organization, whether business, religious, social, political and governmental prior making a committment to join ... and in a way the Internet serves much of that concept ... so with a little coordination and effort it could be made into something more streamline and comprehensive.