Thought I'd put this here as it probably will not be on the JW Org website

[Patiently waiting for Truth]

https://watchtowerdocuments.org/unite-to-shine-a-light/

April 15, 2022Barbara Anderson

“I am one of the thousands of current and former JWs who believe that love is truth. (Mt 22:37-39) Any policy that is unloving cannot be true. (Mt 9:13) This is a global petition for the Watchtower organization to change policies in 3 key areas that violate the tenets of true Christianity and human rights:

1. Child Protection (Mt 18:5,6)
2. Medical Treatment (Mt 12:10-12)
3. Shunning (Mt 9:10,11) (Lu 6:35,36)

Please visit the following link for more info: https://www.change.org/loveistruth22

Watchtower must change organizational policies that violate human rights

We are a group of current and former Jehovah's Witnesses.  We believe that "everyone has the right to life, liberty and security", as article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) guarantees.

We can no longer ignore human rights violations experienced and observed within the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.  Therefore, we petition the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, and specifically the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, to change the following policies:

 

1. Child Protection (Mt 18:5,6)

Proposed Change: First, any allegation of child abuse must be reported to the authorities by the elders, instead of claiming clergy-penitent privilege. (Ro 13:1-4) Second, Watchtower's so called "Two Witness Rule" should not apply in cases of child abuse. In fact, Deuteronomy 22:25-27 shows that a single witness suffices. Finally, the names of known pedophiles should be turned over to the police instead of being hidden away in secret databases at Watchtower branch offices around the world.  Failure to report is failure to protect the security of children inside and outside the community of Jehovah's Witnesses, a right protected by article 3 of the UDHR.

2. Medical Treatment (Mt 12:10-12)

Proposed Change: Individual Jehovah's Witnesses must be allowed to make their own personal healthcare decisions, especially concerning blood transfusions.  To coerce anyone to refuse potentially life-saving medical treatment in an emergency situation is a violation of articles 3 and 25 of the UDHR.

If a member of Jehovah's Witnesses is in a life threatening medical situation, they should have the right to choose if they will accept a transfusion, instead of being pressured to refuse, threatened with disassociation. To resolve this sensitive issue and potentially save thousands of lives, Dr. Muramoto proposes a don't-ask-don't-tell policy.

3. Disfellowshipping and Disassociation (Mt 9:10,11)

Proposed Change: Jehovah's Witnesses must respect the human dignity of former members as protected by articles 6 and 7 of the UDHR.  Watchtower must end their shunning policy because it is inhumane treatment and a cruel punishment, which violates article 5 of the UDHR.  Individuals should be free to leave the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses without losing their loved ones, as article 18 of the UDHR guarantees.  Finally, article 2 of the UDHR ensures that the above rights apply to all, without distinction of any kind, such as sex, religion, or other status. 

Disfellowshipped and disassociated people are still people. LGBTQ people are still people. Everyone should be treated the way Jesus Christ treated people, even his enemies, with agape love. (Lu 6:35,6) Homophobia, hate speech, and discrimination are violations of human rights. Jehovah's Witnesses should treat former members of their religion the same way they treat non-believers, with kindness and respect. 

"No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family."  Watchtower made this extraordinary affirmation in the July 2009 Awake!, on page 29.    

Freedom of belief, expression and religion are fundamental human rights.  Thousands of people leave their religion each year to become Jehovah's Witnesses and most do not lose their family in the process.  However, if a baptized Jehovah's Witness decides they no longer want to be a member of the religion, they will suffer the loss of all their Witness family and friends, once it is announced that they are no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses. 

 

In conclusion, Watchtower policies in the above three areas negatively impact the life, liberty and security of millions of current and former Jehovah's Witnesses. Fundamental human rights are being violated on an unprecedented scale and millions of people are suffering as a result.   

Only the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses has the power to change these abusive policies.  They are the spiritual authority over all of the organization's legal corporations, most noteworthy, The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.  We make this global petition with the hope that the Governing Body will make positive changes to their organizational policies and thus end the human rights violations. 

Love is truth (Mt 22:37-39) A policy that is unloving cannot be true.  (Mt 9:13) The motivation behind this petition is based on love and concern for the good people who are being harmed by these bad policies.  Please share this petition so it will come to the attention of honest hearted people everywhere who love life, liberty, justice, truth and security.  Thank you for your interest and support!

As @Pudgy would say 'I only posted it as it involves JWs and would not be on the JW Org website. 

Some of it I agree with, some of it i don't agree with. There was more on the page and the link is at the top.

Happy reading  

[Srecko Sostar]

6 hours ago, Peter Carroll said:

more negitive postings ,glad you opinion has no weight and therefore is worthless

I see no reason for you to comment this way. The moderator of this topic uploaded an article authored by someone else.
You say this is his opinion. So why should anyone be "accused" or "underestimated" of such an opinion?
We can classify the requested changes in the domain of "human rights" or "improvement of living conditions". WTJWorg considers these three points to be a purely religious / doctrinal issue. Nowadays, these three things go beyond the dogmatic framework of one religious community. Since the status of WTJWorg, in a particular social order, depends on the laws of each state, then these three issues cease to be the exclusive right to a specific biblical interpretation of a religious group, but become a matter of state legislation that should be able to guarantee its citizens individual "human rights".

-the right to protection and safety of children 
-the right to health and medical care
-the right not to be discriminated against because of different religious beliefs

[Patiently waiting for Truth]

11 hours ago, Peter Carroll said:

more negitive postings ,glad you opinion has no weight and therefore is worthless

But don't you see Mr Carroll, your comment here is negative.  

If the GB were true Christians they would actually listen to people's opinions and take note of how they are mistreating people. Each person should stand before YHWH through Yeshua. They should not stand before the GB through the Elders. Each person should be allowed to use their own Christian conscience.  JW congregants are not allowed to do that. 

 

[Arauna]

16 hours ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

Any policy that is unloving cannot be true. (Mt

That is the fallacy. A philosophical way to justify anything. .... 

New policies accepted by most religions is LGBTQ. They say it is 'unloving' to not include the sexually deviant.practices .... and soon the sexual love of children will also be approved.....by government policy...... because all must be 'inclusive and "loving".' This is the basis of the new LOVE..... all inclusive.... LOVE.   Love for God and his standards will become UN loving and unlawful.. 

Whose side will you be on when this becomes accepted policy? 

[TrueTomHarley]

With regard to the first: ‘Child Protection.’ https://www.tomsheepandgoats.com/pedophiles/

the second: Medical Treatment: https://www.tomsheepandgoats.com/blood_transfusions/

and the third: Disfellowshipping and Disassociation https://www.tomsheepandgoats.com/2019/01/in-defense-of-shunning.html

Apologies to the old hen, who gets antsy at too many redirects.

17 hours ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

Happy reading  

(you dodo)