All,
I posted something similar on beliefnet following the availability of the Awake article on Human RIghts posted by Kent on the Watchtower Observer board.
Jehovah's Witnesses and the WT Society, in particular, are in favor of promoting human rights when it suits them. When the WTS was associated with the UN they listed human rights as one of their interests. It should be noted that the WTS wrote a very favorable article about the UN and the issue of human rights in late 1998. (see Watchtower Observer)
I believe the WTS infringes, if not, denies human rights to some people and I want to show why here. The quotes come from the Awake magazine:
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.—Article 1.
Page 8, Awake Nov 22, 1998
One of the fundamental human rights is to be treated with dignity and this forms part of the first Article of the declaration of human rights.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion. —Article 18.
Awake Nov 22, 1998 Page 9/10
This is a basic human right. Right of freedom of thought and religion including the right to change your religion. The WTS is interested in this right as they seek people who will convert from their former religion.
How then does the Watchtower Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses treat people who wish to exercise their right to freedom of thought and religion but were once associated with JWs? This is how according to the not-so-secret elders manual:
If it is learned that a person has taken up association with another religious organization, the matter should be investigated, and if verified, a committee should be formed. If it is clearly established that the person has joined another religion and intends to remain with it, the elders would make a brief announcement to the congregation that such- one has disassociated himself. (w86 10/15 p. 31 ) Pay Attention Page 94/95
So according to the WTS a person seeking to exercise their right to change their religion is to be regarded as Disassociated. This disassociation means that the members of the congregation are expected to shun the person. Even JWs who are relatives are expected to maintain only minimal dealings with the disassociated person. The Pay Attention book makes reference to a Watchtower article. The item is a question from readers:
• What is the fitting response of the congregation if someone leaves the true Christian faith and joins another religion? (My comment: “true Christian faith” means Jehovah’s Witnesses)
The Watchtower explains:
The individual brothers and sisters in the congregation would follow Paul's direction to "avoid" the one who tried to "cause divisions." John counseled similarly: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him."-2 John 10.
Therefore one who exercises their right to freedom of religion is to be shunned by JWs. This shunning, refusing any contact and even refusing to acknowledge the person’s existence by use of a greeting is not treating a person with respect and dignity. By humiliating a person the WTS denies the first article of the human rights declaration, the right to be treated with respect. And why is the person denied this right because they chose to change their religion, something that is a fundamental human right.
Human rights may be of interest to the Watchtower Society but they ought to learn what human rights are and live by the ideals of the declaration of Human Rights in their own house first.
Thirdson
'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'