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Endangerment Issues
The kids of Jehovah’s Witnesses are in danger. After being informed of this fact, many courts have ruled in favor of the non-JW parent. A variety
of endangerment factors are addressed. These fall under the main categories:
A. Isolation from the American culture
B. Alienation of the non-JW parent
C. Physical endangerment
Under appropriate headings, we list sample quotations from THE ACTUAL JUDGMENTS TAKEN FROM COURT CASES IN WHICH WE HAVE BEEN INTIMATELY INVOLVED.
1. DISCOURAGEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN AMERICAN CULTURE
Idaho decision: P. 32 “This is not simply a minor difference in some religious philosophy that does not impact day-to-day
functioning, but involves grave differences pertaining to opinions about health care, education, civic and military roles, and even competitive sports."
2. DISCOURAGEMENT OF ASSOCIATION WITH NON-JWS
Kansas decision: 37. ...The principal concern identified by the respondent on trial was the Jehovah's Witness belief and practice of
shunning and having no contact with persons, except as absolutely necessary for business, who are non-Jehovah's Witnesses or who are "disfellowshipped". The persons to
be shunned are all non-Jehovah's Witnesses, including relatives, even one's mother, father, brothers, sisters and extended family and any and all other persons, including
school mates and playmates who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. According to Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs and practices, all non-Jehovah's Witnesses and all institutions, other
than the Jehovah's Witness organization, are "of the devil" or "of Satan."...
Idaho decision: P. 33 The Court also allowed testimony regarding the concept of non-association by Jehovah's Witnesses with people who
are not of the faith.
3. FORBIDDING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH NON-JW CHILDREN
Kansas decision: 28. Children of Jehovah's Witness families are not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities at school,
e.g., cheer leading, football or other sports, dramatics, holiday celebrations, birthday parties, and the like.
29. Children of Jehovah's Witness families are socially isolated in school because of their inability to participate in the school activities,
projects and studies and patriotic or civil observances.
4. DISCOURAGEMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Kansas decision: 28. They are discouraged from seeking a college education or to enter the professional studies.
Louisiana decision:
P. 4 He and others also testified that the Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in formal education and in fact discourage it. There was additional testimony that formal education is not important to them because they believe that the world will come to an end shortly - the year 2000 was mentioned and therefore, more time should be spent preparing for this event then in obtaining an education.
5. ISOLATION PROMOTED BY DOOMSDAY INSTRUCTION
Idaho decision: P. 34 The Jehovah's Witness faith teaches that only Jehovah's Witnesses will survive Armageddon.
Kansas decision: 30. Children of Jehovah's Witness families are placed in constant fear of the world coming to an end and dying in the
cataclysm known in the group as "Armageddon", which can only be escaped by being involved in the proselytizing functions of the religion to the exclusion or subordination of
all other activities and interests.
Idaho decision: CONCLUSIONS OF LAW p. 39 The Court does conclude, however, that there is clear evidence that the religious differences of
the parents has affected and will continue to affect the well being of the children...there are some practices that are so detrimental to the best interest of the children that the
Court cannot permit them, whether characterized a 'religious practice' or otherwise. For example, the children cannot be taught that their father will or may die soon,
regardless of whether that teaching comes because he is not of the Jehovah's Witness faith, or because Armageddon may come soon, or for any other reason. The only logical effect
of such conduct (whether well-meaning or otherwise) is to cause the children to withdraw from their father, and cling to their mother as the only likely survivor of some upcoming
catastrophe.
6. GENERAL SOCIAL PRESSURE EXHIBITS NEGATIVE RESULTS
Kansas decision: 31. The value structure and lifestyle of Jehovah's Witnesses is to enforce upon children by fear and emotional and
social pressure and coercion and fosters in its adherents low self-esteem and a disdain and mistrust of all other religious, professional and governmental institutions.
32. The lifestyle and value structure imposed upon children by the Jehovah's Witnesses is emotionally abusive and may be physically detrimental to
the children.
42. Said child has been emotionally and physically harmed by his exposure to the Jehovah's Witnesses' teachings and environment and his continued
exposure thereto is not in the best interest of said child and, if continued, constitutes a serious threat to his future health and well-being....
Idaho decision: P. 32 The Court is very mindful that the Court is to remain strictly neutral in the area of religion and only under
extraordinary circumstances would entertain any evidence regarding religion. However, the differences between the parties on the religious issue is so great that it has affected the
well being and emotional state of the children in this instance.
7. JOINT CUSTODY IS NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD
Idaho decision: P. 27 (Due to the religious differences): "A legitimate joint custody arrangement is not possible in this case."
8. DEATH IS PREFERRED FOR CHILD OVER BLOOD TRANSFUSION
Idaho decision:
P. 33 The Jehovah's Witness faith precluded a parent from authorizing a whole blood transfusion, even if the doctor told the parent the child would die without it. The court allowed testimony in this area as it might tend to affect the health or welfare of the children in the future.
9. INSTRUCTION TO LIE IN COURT
Kansas decision: 33. Members of the Jehovah's Witness group are furnished with a booklet prepared by the Watchtower Society entitled,
"Preparing For Child Custody Cases", the purpose of which is to instruct adherents of the group involved in custody disputes how to testify so as to conceal from the courts
the true limitations and restrictions placed upon children by the lifestyle and beliefs of the group. The petitioner has a copy of the booklet.
34. The booklet, "Preparing For Child Custody Cases," recommends the giving of testimony under oath which is known to be untrue.
Idaho decision: CONCLUSIONS OF LAW p. 42 (11): It is detrimental to the best interest or welfare of the children to teach them that their
father, as a non-Jehovah's Witness, is not entitled to the whole truth, or that it is proper to hide the truth from God's enemies (particularly in a courtroom situation).
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