Norway Slashes Support For Jehovah's Witnesses Over Freedom Violation
Channel: Just Net Thing
Date: 2024-03-08

Norway's Jehovah's Witnesses faced a significant setback in their legal battle to regain state financial support, as the Oslo County Court ruled against them. The decision comes after the state withdrew funding, contending that the religious organization failed to comply with regulations ensuring members' freedom to join or leave. This marks a notable development in a case where the state's determination to uphold principles of inclusivity clashed with the alleged exclusionary practices of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

The controversy began when the Norwegian government decided to cut financial support to Jehovah's Witnesses, citing concerns that the organization's policies violated the requirement for members to have the freedom to join or leave the group. The state argued that those leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses faced strict bans on contact with other members, including their own families. These alleged exclusionary policies prompted the state to revoke the religious organization's recognition in Norway