The following appeared on jw.org as a news item concerning Norway and their deregistration there as it happened on the 4th of March
On March 4, 2024, the Oslo District Court upheld the Norwegian government’s decision to revoke the legal registration of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norway. Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norway will appeal the decision.
The County Governor of Oslo and Viken revoked our registration at the end of 2022. The Oslo District Court temporarily suspended the action on December 30, 2022, pending further investigation. The position of the State now remains that it will continue to deny legal recognition to Jehovah’s Witnesses in the country of Norway unless we change our practices regarding the removal of unrepentant wrongdoers from the congregation.
The decision to deregister Jehovah’s Witnesses denies us the financial aid and other benefits that the government provides to over 700 registered religious communities in the country. Additional consequences include losing the right to appoint and authorize ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses as officiants for weddings.
While we await the outcome of the appeal, we will continue to pray “concerning kings and all those who are in high positions, so that we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with complete godly devotion.”—1 Timothy 2:1, 2.
So it didn't take them long, did it? Less than a month to appeal the decision. The Watchtower is without question the most litigious organization on earth. They have made themselves a stench in government circles and a laughing stock among legitimate religions. While there was a time that they fought for freedom of speech and worship, that time has long passed. Now they only fight for money.
Saying "this decision denies us money and perks" is just stating the obvious. That is the whole idea behind the decision-- to put pressure on them to change the shunning policy or lose out on benefits. Whether or not it is unconstitutional is yet to be determined.
The thing I found cringe-worthy is their willingness to lump themselves in with all of those other religious groups that get government funding and perks. Whatever happened to 'not being a part of this world'? Shouldn't they be celebrating the way they are being singled out, unlike all of those 'false religions'?
This is also an opportunity for them to show that they will not bow to pressure. If the court upholds the withdrawal of their official registration, will they keep the shunning rules intact? Or will those rules change? Will they change the shunning rules and apply for registration again? Because that would sound like they gave in. That would sound like they prefer to be treated like all of the other religions. That would mean they put money and perks before their own integrity.
Come on, WatchTower! Show the world that you can't be swayed by money and official government recognition! Be proud of standing alone and rejecting any deals with Satan's world! Oh, hold on they changed their disfellowshipping practices straight after the their loss in Norway, nevernind!
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