Jehovah's Witnesses News: Court Cases, Conflicts, and More
The Jehovah's Witnesses are a small Christian denomination which started in America but which can now be found in many nations around the world. Jehovah's Witnesses are often found fighting to defend their own religious liberty and, by extension, the religious liberty of all. They come in conflict with political authorities over things like their refusal to salute flags and medical authorities over their refusal to accept things like blood transfusions. Read more here on recent news and stories involving Jehovah's Witnesses.
Doctors Go to Court to Save Infant
In South Africa, the Jehovah's Witnesses parents of a prematurely born infant didn't want him to receive a needed blood transfusion. Doctors were able to get a court order authorizing them to save the infant's life despite the parents wishes - their religious beliefs can't trump the basic rights of their own child.
In South Africa, the Jehovah's Witnesses parents of a prematurely born infant didn't want him to receive a needed blood transfusion. Doctors were able to get a court order authorizing them to save the infant's life despite the parents wishes - their religious beliefs can't trump the basic rights of their own child.
Jehovah's Witness Teen Transferred to New York
Regular readers here may have noticed that several stories have appeared here bout the on-going saga of a Jehovah's Witness girl in Canada seeking to avoid blood transfusions as part of her cancer treatment. Her arguments were rejected by the courts, but now she is being allowed to get treatment in New York.
Regular readers here may have noticed that several stories have appeared here bout the on-going saga of a Jehovah's Witness girl in Canada seeking to avoid blood transfusions as part of her cancer treatment. Her arguments were rejected by the courts, but now she is being allowed to get treatment in New York.
Canada: Jehovah's Witness Flees Blood Transfusion
The Jehovah's Witness girl who lost her case to refuse a blood transfusion during her cancer treatments went missing for a few days, but now a court has ordered that she return to British Columbia from Ontario.
The Jehovah's Witness girl who lost her case to refuse a blood transfusion during her cancer treatments went missing for a few days, but now a court has ordered that she return to British Columbia from Ontario.
Canada: Teen Can't Refuse Blood Transfusion
A 14-year-old Jehovah's Witness in Canada is trying to keep doctors from giving her blood transfusions during her cancer treatment. She lost her latest court fight but she isn't giving up yet.
A 14-year-old Jehovah's Witness in Canada is trying to keep doctors from giving her blood transfusions during her cancer treatment. She lost her latest court fight but she isn't giving up yet.
Germany: Jehovah's Witnesses Granted Legal Status
According to a Berlin court, Jehovah's Witnesses should have the same legal status as Germany's major, established churches. This includes the right to collect taxes, erect buildings, and more.
According to a Berlin court, Jehovah's Witnesses should have the same legal status as Germany's major, established churches. This includes the right to collect taxes, erect buildings, and more.
Canada: Jehovah's Witnesses Being Sued
Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe in using blood products, including blood transfusions. This sometimes leads to a person dying who could have otherwise been saved and, in the case of the Bethany Hughes, her father is suing the Jehovah's Witnesses for encouraging her to refuse needed medical treatment.
Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe in using blood products, including blood transfusions. This sometimes leads to a person dying who could have otherwise been saved and, in the case of the Bethany Hughes, her father is suing the Jehovah's Witnesses for encouraging her to refuse needed medical treatment.
Massachusetts: Jehovah's Witness Abuse Ruling
In Massacusetts, a judge has ruled that a Boston Jehovah's Witness church can be sued by a girl who alleges that she was sexually abused by one of the church's "ministerial servants." This appears to be the first time in the state that a church has been held to have "fiduciary duty" to members of its congregation (similar to the duty lawyers and doctors have to clients).
In Massacusetts, a judge has ruled that a Boston Jehovah's Witness church can be sued by a girl who alleges that she was sexually abused by one of the church's "ministerial servants." This appears to be the first time in the state that a church has been held to have "fiduciary duty" to members of its congregation (similar to the duty lawyers and doctors have to clients).
Jehovah's Witnesses: Elders' Manual
Jehovah's Witnesses have "elders" who are each given a manual that tells them how to manage their flocks and fulfill their administrative duties. These manuals aren't supposed to get out, but a few have and they are available on the web.
Jehovah's Witnesses have "elders" who are each given a manual that tells them how to manage their flocks and fulfill their administrative duties. These manuals aren't supposed to get out, but a few have and they are available on the web.
Jehovah's Witnesses Still Banned in Russia
Earlier I wrote about a Moscow court's decision to ban the Jehovah's Witnesses in that city. Now, an appeals court has upheld that ruling and the six-year battle over their status seems to be at an end: they can’t rent premises, print literature, officially assemble, or perhaps even gather in private homes and share their beliefs with friends.
Earlier I wrote about a Moscow court's decision to ban the Jehovah's Witnesses in that city. Now, an appeals court has upheld that ruling and the six-year battle over their status seems to be at an end: they can’t rent premises, print literature, officially assemble, or perhaps even gather in private homes and share their beliefs with friends.
Prince and the Jehovah's Witnesses
Prince has had an interesting career - but many may be unaware of the fact that he has recently converted to the Jehovah's Witnesses. Even fewer are probably aware of the fact that Prince's religious beliefs have begun to filter into his music, including his older music.
Prince has had an interesting career - but many may be unaware of the fact that he has recently converted to the Jehovah's Witnesses. Even fewer are probably aware of the fact that Prince's religious beliefs have begun to filter into his music, including his older music.
Jehovah's Witnesses Banned in Moscow
For years, now, the Jehovah's Witnesses have been having trouble in Russia. A 1997 religion law established Orthodox Christianity as the nation's dominant religion and pledged respect for other religions like Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. Other groups, however, have restrictions placed upon them - with Jehovah's Witnesses being one of them. Those restrictions have been increased.
For years, now, the Jehovah's Witnesses have been having trouble in Russia. A 1997 religion law established Orthodox Christianity as the nation's dominant religion and pledged respect for other religions like Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. Other groups, however, have restrictions placed upon them - with Jehovah's Witnesses being one of them. Those restrictions have been increased.
Jehovah's Witnesses Can Go Door-To-Door in Canada
Evangelists traveling from house to house have been an annoyance to many people in society; is that, however, a reason to ban such activities? Should Jehovah's Witnesses be prevented from going to people's houses in order to try and convert them? A law in the City of Blainville, Canada, tried to stop it, but without any luck.
Evangelists traveling from house to house have been an annoyance to many people in society; is that, however, a reason to ban such activities? Should Jehovah's Witnesses be prevented from going to people's houses in order to try and convert them? A law in the City of Blainville, Canada, tried to stop it, but without any luck.
Jehovah's Witnesses' Books Burned
Over the past few years the Georgian government has been criticized by many for its weak protection of religious freedom and its refusal to stand up to religious bigotry. That bigotry was on show for all to see recently when parliamentary deputy Guram Sharadze burnt several Jehovah's Witnesses books at a press conference.
Over the past few years the Georgian government has been criticized by many for its weak protection of religious freedom and its refusal to stand up to religious bigotry. That bigotry was on show for all to see recently when parliamentary deputy Guram Sharadze burnt several Jehovah's Witnesses books at a press conference.
Jehovah's Witnesses Speak Out on Abuse
Although most discussion about the sexual abuse of children in churches has occurred in the context of the Roman Catholic Church, there has also been abuse elsewhere. One denomination that has abuse allegations is the Jehovah's Witnesses - and they appear to be especially concerned with keeping things quiet.
Although most discussion about the sexual abuse of children in churches has occurred in the context of the Roman Catholic Church, there has also been abuse elsewhere. One denomination that has abuse allegations is the Jehovah's Witnesses - and they appear to be especially concerned with keeping things quiet.
Jehovah's Witnesses Change Tactics
The sight of Jehovah's Witnesses going door to door has long been a familiar part of community life in America. That, however, is beginning to change - both the increase in apartment dwellings and the decrease in the number of people home during the day is forcing the Jehovah's Witnesses to change how they do things - and the changes are bringing an increase in converts.
The sight of Jehovah's Witnesses going door to door has long been a familiar part of community life in America. That, however, is beginning to change - both the increase in apartment dwellings and the decrease in the number of people home during the day is forcing the Jehovah's Witnesses to change how they do things - and the changes are bringing an increase in converts.
Jehovah's Witnesses Covering Up Sexual Abuse?
According to a number of lawsuits filed in places like California, Jehovah's Witnesses officials have been deliberately covering up alleged sexual abuse of children by leaders and other officials of their religious congregations. Officials, however, claim that they have done nothing wrong and that they have complied with the law.
According to a number of lawsuits filed in places like California, Jehovah's Witnesses officials have been deliberately covering up alleged sexual abuse of children by leaders and other officials of their religious congregations. Officials, however, claim that they have done nothing wrong and that they have complied with the law.
Canada Looks At Blood Transfusions
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it would be a sin for them to receive blood transfusions - but at what age should children be allowed to make that decision for themselves? At what age should hospitals be prevented from forcing blood transfusions on minors? That's a difficult question being taken up by Canada's Supreme Court.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it would be a sin for them to receive blood transfusions - but at what age should children be allowed to make that decision for themselves? At what age should hospitals be prevented from forcing blood transfusions on minors? That's a difficult question being taken up by Canada's Supreme Court.
Woman Sues, Wins, Must Pay JW's Legal Costs
Vicki Boer, a Canadian woman, sued the Jehovah's Witnesses for negligence because of their poor handling of the sexual abuse she suffered between the ages 11 and 14 at the hands of her father. She won. Now she has to pay the Jehovah's Witness USD $142,000. What??
Vicki Boer, a Canadian woman, sued the Jehovah's Witnesses for negligence because of their poor handling of the sexual abuse she suffered between the ages 11 and 14 at the hands of her father. She won. Now she has to pay the Jehovah's Witness USD $142,000. What??
Religious Intolerance in Georgia
Religious minorities are facing more and more problems in Georgia - that's the country of Georgia, not the American state of Georgia. Both increased nationalism and increased identification with the Eastern Orthodox Church is making it difficult for religious and ethnic groups to feel comfortable.
Religious minorities are facing more and more problems in Georgia - that's the country of Georgia, not the American state of Georgia. Both increased nationalism and increased identification with the Eastern Orthodox Church is making it difficult for religious and ethnic groups to feel comfortable.