My sympathy for Mr. Hughes knows no bounds, but the news account contains some things that damage the "cause.":
accused the Watch Tower Society of ...forcing its members to work in "slavery," without being paid, then turned onto the streets when old; and ... refusing vaccinations, organ transplants and blood transfusions for members that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands ... in the past 100 years.
... a spokesman denied Hughes' blanket claims.
And they are "blanket" claims. While half of them are easily proved by presenting the WTS' own literature, how does he intend to "prove" "forcing its members to work in slavery...?" In fact, they are volunteers. "...turned out on the streets when old..." is a bit of a stretch without examples, and "deaths of tens of thousands..." is hyperbole unless you have a list of names.Thus, when the JW spokesman denied "blanket claims" he appears (I said appears) to have the high moral ground. The courts deal in facts and demand proof. If you're going to fight this fight, you have to be on solid ground. If not, you lose, and a "loss" sets the "movement" back. Not only that, but dubs who read this stuff will point out the flaws and use that as an excuse to dismiss the rest.I don't want to be critical, but this kind of overkill has to be moderated, at least when making public pronouncements, before the media and the masses will really listen.... a spokesman denied Hughes' blanket claims.