I fully
disagree with the Russians approach. They have continually banned, jailed,
placed in gulags, and even killed people for practicing their religion. The end
result is the same: When you try to force ideas onto people, they’ll fight for
their right to retain their own beliefs.
We all agree that people should have absolute freedom of speech
and association. The problem however is that there are organizations and
individuals who temper with those rights; the state should take actions against
those in particular.
For
instance, an organization promoting and enforcing shunning should face
consequences. Sure, Jehovah’s Witnesses could keep advising their members to “stay
away” from bad influences, including old members, but they would not have the
right to 1) sever against someone for not keeping up this order and 2) preach and
strongly encourage the shunning of family members.
Freedom
of association, speech and the core unit of the family are sacred and should
not be influenced by any outside forces.
In
order to protect those sacred rights, the state should not hesitate to take
actions. For instance, if elders acted against someone for not keeping up shunning
as they see it fit, they would be exposed to a criminal record and 30 days in
jail. I would be amazed if any of these man would willingly take such a risk in
order to uphold a teaching like that.
As for promoting
shunning of family members, the watchtower would expose itself to exemplary fines
and would be ordered to write an article in their magazines reporting the
judgement of the court.
With
these type of measures, people would understand that the government is not
against freedom of speech, association and religion. On the contrary, it acts
to protect it by prosecuting those who try to obstruct such rights.
