In the aftermath of yesterday's London tragedy, the radio stations were rife with those calling in and talking about some religious fanatics on the other side of the world. The radio commentator himself talked about how barber shops in Baghdad were being bombed and barbers were having their lives threatened (or taken) because of one religion's decrees that hair should not be cut. The commentary kept asking how do we negotiate with people like this?
For the rank and file of "faithful" witnesses, they MUST follow whatever the GB demands even at the cost of their own lives (the blood issue being perhaps the best example). The GB tells Witnesses to shun even their own family members, and no questions are asked: family members are cast out and ignored for the rest of their lives. The GB strips all family-like celebrations away from their members, and the mighty faithful don't even question (like not even having a simple turkey dinner as an act of family Thanksgiving). They just obey. Obey, obey obey. Don't ask, don't question. Great faith means having great obedience. Marriages are torn apart, children are marginalized from their peers, individuals don't pursue their God-given talents and potentials (what is the GB's view of higher education again?) Don't question, don't wonder, just obey.
Religious fanaticism is not just an issue on the other side of the world. It is walking up our sidewalks on Saturday mornings.
Grace to you.