Does Belgium Have it Right About JWs?

by ezekiel3 106 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  outbutnotdown

  Heathen and Annanias,

  Think about what Ezekiel3 said about "freedom of religion" for JW kids........ To suggest that immature kids (no offense intended to the kids), should be able to make a choice that, should they CHANGE THEIR MINDS LATER, they will suffer the shunning and persecution from their own family and friends, is delsional thinking. They have no freedom whatsoever, to make a mature decision.

  To suggest that 'no gov't has the right to instruct people as to what to believe as far as religion is concerned', is down right dangerous. If someone is attracted to kids in a sexual way, due to some mental sickness that he may have, should he have the freedom to pursue that craving, without any consideration for the kids?........ I hope the answer to that from all here is NO!!!!!!

  Children and youths' EMOTIONAL and SPIRITUAL health should be held up as just as important as their physical health.

  B.
• 

  outbutnotdown

  Heathen,

  Don't take this as an insult to you as an American, because I do believe that the US is a great country in lots of ways, but to suggest that their consitution is the best foundation of law, as it stands seems to me to be a little close-minded. They still haven't had the courage or humility to admit that the gun law, (although it made sense and was a good idea 200+ YEARS ago), should be amended, for the good of the people in the US living now.... or should I say, had it been amended years ago, it would have been for the good of MANY innocent kids and others that are now dead.

  B.
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  meggidon555

  80 to 90 percent of what are getting baptized may be where you are but where I live it's 10 to 20

  rest being poor or distrut people being brought in the jw way

  besides a 1-2 percent growth rate means your not keeping up with the birth rate of 2.3 percent

  meaning .3 to 1 percent of kids are not jioning there parents faith add that to the fact they still do convert on occaision

  it's pittyful catholic's keep up with the birth rate
• 

  Pole

  I believe that all countries should adopt the US constitution as the foundation of law , it is a fine document that grants people civil rights and a free conscience in religious beliefs .

  
  OMG! Heathen, have ever made yourself familiar with any other country's constitution? Any European one?
  

  You are dangerously narrow-minded, my friend. No wonder so many Americans are very difficult to be liked when it comes to political issues. They seriously believe they are the greatest country in the world in absolute terms.
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  seattleniceguy

  Freedom of religion is an incredibly important right. No one ought to dictate what another believes.

  But Belgium has the right to call a spade a spade. The religion of Jehovah's Witnesses is, in fact, a destructive one. I say bravo to them for having the sensibility to say so. Does a country not have the right to protect its citizens when they clearly are damaged by something over which they have little to no choice, as in the case of JW children?

  Belgium's actions seem measured. The question of how far government can regulate religion is a difficult one, one that requires very careful contemplation. In this case, such regulation seems warranted.

  Just my two cents.

  SNG
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  sleepy

  Absolute freedoms are a bad thing for large groups of humans.
  Religion is just a name to put to believeing what you want.
  If it was someones "religious" belief to kill all black people should they be allowed freedom of speech and to indoctrinate their children?
  No0t if we want to live in a relativly fair society.
  So absolute freedom of religion is bad for humanity as a group.
  Part of the reasons we have constitutions and laws is to run a society that is fair for most people.
  Allowing certain ectreme religious beliefs limits the freedoms of a portion of society, mainly the children of those believers who may only be expossed to those extreme beliefs.This can result in those children have an unfair life compared to others.They may in the case of Jehovahs witness be allowed to die instead of having a blood transfusion.
  This is not freedom, but because of its extremity becomes a entrapment for those involved.
  So I believe that Belgium is right to do what they are doing and the American way of is wrong .
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  sleepy

  If I could edit my above post for spelling errors I would, but for some reason the edit control does nothing.
  Simon I am using a Mac with Sarfari.
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  garybuss

  The United States has taken the freedom to "believe" anything called religion, and applied it to (almost) any behavior called "religious". I have no problem at all with what people want to believe. I have a problem with their behaviors that would be illegal in any other context except religion. I think once a religion's behaviors leave faith and morals and become secular in nature, like book manufacturing and sales, those religions need to meet the same standards as any other secular business.
  
  Applying religious "beliefs" to medical treatment practices, enforced by secular monitors, armed with social sanctions, has had a real impact on my life. That needs to not be legal in any society. Enforcing personal "beliefs" with sanctions, is over the line in my opinion and needs to not be legal.
  
  Reverse discrimination needs to not be legal. That is, a company doing business as a "religion" like the Watch Tower Corporation, should not be able to discriminate or order discrimination against people who are not willing members of their group. To issue a disfellowshipping order and order members to shun and snub non-members needs to not be legal. It is discrimination based on religion, or the lack thereof. I could write a book . . . . GaryB
  
  
  
  
• 

  Joker10

  where are you from meggidon?

  your not keeping up with the birth rate of 2.3 percent

  You are incorrect. The birth rate right now is of 1.14%
• 

  Tashawaa

  This is one reason I LOVE being "out"

  How many of us really ever discussed this type of issue in this context. When I'd sit in a Kingdom Hall and hear about a country trying to place restrictions, or bans on us, I'd shake my head with the "persecution" we were facing. How unloving the "world" was to not accept true worship and allow our freedoms!

  Then, I'd listen to how soon we'd be united, all in pure worship, under Christ's rulership. All false religion destroyed.

  No tolerance there for "outside" thought or freedom.

  Now, how do I feel about it? Garybuss expressed how I feel. I believe having the title "religion" allows to many liberties that are not tolerated in secular society. Under the guise of religion, emotional pain can be inflicted, abuse can be hidden and tolerated, financial responsibilites to society are ducked, etc.

  Believe what you want, but do "no harm".