This statement may seem odd at first. You may think of Jehovah's Witnesses as being an American religion in a country where freedoms exist and are prized. You may think of the organization's legal battles in the Supreme Court to protect certain rights and freedoms. This is true, but it is only part of the story.
Freedom of Religion - Jehovah's Witnesses as a religion/business want to be in a country that has freedom of religion simply so they can operate freely and recruit freely. They DO NOT extend this freedom to their membership. Once a member of their group, you no longer have the right to practice religion as you see fit. You are obligated to practice religion according to their long list of rules and doctrines. You cannot, for instance, believe only partially in Jehovah's Witness dogma. You are either all in or you are all out. Literally.
But the real proof that they actually DO NOT believe in a person's religious freedom is this: they do not allow a member to change religions or to formally stop practicing the religion without severe, abusive penalties.
Jehovah's Witness leadership will ostracize, demean, and vilify a person for leaving the group. This is done regardless of the person's reasons, sincerity, or character . This treatment is given even if the person simply no longer wants to be religious.
With very few exceptions, members are not allowed to even speak to former members.
So Jehovah's Witnesses believe that citizens should have the freedom to JOIN their religion but then not have the freedom to LEAVE.
This is HYPOCRISY of the highest order. This is a DOUBLE STANDARD. This is ABUSIVE. This is ANTI-FREEDOM.
It is my opinion that a government should not allow a religion to operate, and in turn protect that religion's freedom to assemble, evangelize, and recruit, unless that religion extends freedom to its membership to dis-join or leave. It should be considered a breach of human rights.
What do you think?