JEHOVAH’S
WITNESSES
More than 10 years revealing secrets because there is no excuse for secrecy in religion – w1997 June 1; Dan 2:47; Matt 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 12:2; Acts 4:19, 20.
JEHOVAH’S
WITNESSES
More than 10 years revealing secrets because there is no excuse for secrecy in religion – w1997 June 1; Dan 2:47; Matt 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 12:2; Acts 4:19, 20.
Written by: Miss Usato Last updated: October 14th, 2024
It started with a Danish media outlet- Ekstra Bladet, known for its investigative journalism, news coverage, and focus on exposing scandals. Piqued with intrigued curiosity, All of the following articles below are from Ekstra Bladet, featuring a timeline on how the investigation started:
August 14th, 2024‘-Jehovah’s Witnesses’ new rules: Seek out the outcasts.’ The article highlights how the organization attempts to balance newfound compassion for outcast members—laced with the updated rules regarding treating disfellowshipped ones while maintaining boundaries in social interactions. Towards the end of the article, they welcomed former Jehovah’s Witnesses to reach out about their feelings about these new rules and to share personal experiences. Anita Toft, a former Jehovah’s Witness, reached out and was interviewed for an article describing the devastating social consequences of leaving the organization, including the excommunication and ostracization from family and friends she endured.
September 23rd, 2024-‘Anita exposed to wife violence: Jehovah ‘court’ rejected police report.’ Anita expressed her struggle to escape a violent marriage and her eventual excommunication from the organization. The lack of support you receive when domestic violence is addressed is sickening, that showing in the way the elders of her congregation handled it. In Anita’s case, they discouraged her from seeking medical help or contacting the police regarding the physical abuse, citing Bible passages that stress keeping problems within the congregation and submission to one’s spouse. Anita recalls being explicitly told not to involve the authorities. Anita could not obtain a biblical divorce until her husband was unfaithful, which finally allowed her to leave. Though her ex-husband was later excommunicated, he was reinstated into the community, while Anita was eventually disfellowshipped. This excommunication left her isolated from her family and the religious community. Anita said that leaving Jehovah’s Witnesses was a liberating experience, marking the end of her traumatic journey.
After Anita’s story was published, it became a central part of Ekstra Bladet’s investigations into the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Denmark. In the article, Toft was also interviewed on video and spoke about losing all contact with her family after leaving the congregation, a shared experience among ex-members.
September 24th, 2024 –Jehovah’s Court: Now the minister must answer. The article on Anita Toft’s uncovering of the harmful practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses, especially with domestic violence, and how this organization handles such matters sparked a political intervention. What was published exposed that Jehovah’s Witnesses use an internal judicial system run by elders to handle serious issues, including domestic violence. The approach elders took- exampled with Toft’s abuse is seen as prioritizing religious rules over the protection of members.
Political Response: In reaction to these revelations, the Socialist People’s Party (SF), led by Theresa Berg Andersen, has called for action from Church Minister Morten Dahlin. SF argues that the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ internal court may contradict the principles of a recognized religious community. They express concern that these internal mechanisms contribute to violence and oppression, creating a “parallel society” where Danish laws are circumvented. Professor Lisbet Christoffersen, an expert in church and religious law, points out that Jehovah’s Witnesses may follow biblical norms rather than Danish criminal law. SF then submitted a series of questions to Church Minister Dahlin to investigate whether Jehovah’s Witnesses adhere to Danish laws and fundamental human rights as a recognized religious community. If the investigation finds that they are systematically violating these rights, SF argues that the community should lose its status as a recognized religious organization. – Minister Dahlin had yet to comment on the case at that time.
September 25th, 2024-‘After Ekstra Bladet’s revelations: Surveillance case at Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Now that the heat is up on the Jehovah’s Witness organization given the investigation Ekstra Bladedt’s paper has initiated, the Danish Ministry of Church Affairs and church minister Morten Dahlin has commenced an ongoing oversight case against Jehovah’s Witnesses. They focused on the religious community’s internal judicial practices, particularly its “elders’ court”, which intensified concerns about how Jehovah’s Witnesses handle cases of domestic violence and child abuse within their congregations. This is to determine whether Jehovah’s Witnesses’ practices align with Danish legal requirements, particularly regarding how they handle criminal matters like domestic violence and child abuse. Minister Dahlin emphasized his expectation that recognized religious communities, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, must respect the Danish legal system and report any criminal activities to the authorities without internal interference. His statements indicate the government’s intent to ensure that religious practices comply with Danish child protection and domestic violence laws.
The article also references an “elder’s handbook” used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, which contains guidelines on how the elders (leaders within the community) should respond to criminal offenses. Rather than instructing the elders to go directly to the authorities, the book advises them to contact the internal legal department of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This practice has raised concerns, especially when it comes to reporting serious crimes like child abuse or domestic violence, which should be directly reported to the police under Danish law.
September 27th, 2024 -‘ After supervision case: Now Jehovah’s Witnesses react’ Jehovah’s Witnesses responded to the Danish Ministry of Church Affairs’ oversight case, surprised by the accusations but willing to clarify and respond. The religious group’s spokesperson, Jørgen Pedersen, stated that they were caught off guard by the ministry’s decision and feel it is based on inaccurate information circulated in the media, particularly regarding child protection procedures.
September 28th, 2024- ‘Psychologist about Jehovah’s Witnesses: – They practice psychological violence’ Psychologist Susanne Benderfeldt, accuses Jehovah’s Witnesses of practicing psychological violence against their members, primarily through their practice of disfellowshipping (ostracism) and the control they exert over children. The topics she highlights are Psychological Violence, Ostracism, the impact on children, and Legal violations. Psychological violence has been illegal in Denmark since 2019, and Benderfeldt suggests that Jehovah’s Witnesses’ practices may violate this law. She parallels Norway, where the organization lost its recognition as a religious community in 2022 due to similar concerns.
September 28th, 2024- ‘Jehovah’s Nine Powerful Men: They Rule the Witnesses’ Video Killed the Radio Star- The nine Governing Body members that rule over the Jehovah’s Witness Organization are defined in this article as the ones who rule over the eight million members with a heavy hand, as the members quickly adapt to any doctrinal changes. The Governing Body likes to be known as Christian men who interpret the words of the Bible, sets the agenda, and issues orders members worldwide, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Denmark.
October 2nd, 2024- ‘The Church Minister on Jehovah’s Witnesses: – You must comply with Danish law’ Given the case against Jehovah’s Witnesses after Ekstra Bladet exposed several troubling practices, Church Minister Morten Dahlin stressed that as a recognized religious community, Jehovah’s Witnesses are required to “behave properly” and comply with Danish law. Specifically, he emphasized that the organization must not engage in practices such as psychological violence, which is illegal in Denmark. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been asked to respond to several inquiries by October 9, after which the ministry will determine the next steps based on expert evaluations.
This case is being closely watched by both the public and Danish politicians. The outcome of the case will determine whether Jehovah’s Witnesses can continue as a recognized religious community in Denmark.
October 3rd, 2024– ‘Jehovah’s wild rules’ This article dives deeper into the practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Covering the pillars that define and mold its members into who they are today. The topics highlight their political views, views on homosexuality, the door to door preaching work, expectant submission of women, expulsion (disfellowshipped, removed from the organization) and Blood Transfusions. You can find screenshots of the article that is behind a paywall here.
October 12th, 2024 ‘Rage against Jehovah: Run with dying woman’s legacy’ Jehovah’s Witnesses approached an 81-year-old terminally ill woman in hospice to influence her to donate a significant portion of her inheritance to the organization. The woman’s family was outraged by this, feeling it was inappropriate for Jehovah’s Witnesses to seek donations during such a difficult time. Despite the family’s opposition, DKK 200,000 was transferred to the religious group after her death.
The children of the deceased woman, who remain anonymous due to some still being members of Jehovah’s Witnesses, expressed frustration at how the elders, who were not close friends of the woman, seemed focused on securing financial contributions rather than providing comfort. The elders even followed up aggressively after her passing, seeking confirmation of her death. Jehovah’s Witnesses deny these allegations, claiming they do not interfere with members’ decisions regarding donations and citing biblical principles that encourage voluntary giving.
October 13th, 2024 ‘Obey Jehovah’ Cartoon shocks psychologist’ This article discussed how the organization teaches strict religious principles on topics like homosexuality, magic, and obedience. The organization’s website features videos for children, featuring cartoon characters like Lucas and Sophia, who serve as models for Jehovah’s Witness children worldwide.
Psychologist’s Criticism: Child psychologist Ulla Dyrløv expresses deep concern about the content of these videos, describing them as “indoctrination” that could create anxiety, guilt, and shame in children. She finds the focus on obedience to Jehovah problematic, arguing that children are not capable of adhering to complex rules and that such strict teachings may cause harm.
Homophobia in Cartoons: One video, titled “One man, one woman,” promotes the belief that homosexuality is wrong, teaching children that only heterosexual relationships are acceptable. Dyrløv criticizes this as a damaging and outdated perspective, especially harmful to children’s identity development.
Baptism Indoctrination: Another video encourages young children to prepare for baptism, a significant commitment in Jehovah’s Witnesses, without explaining the lifelong consequences, such as the possibility of being shunned for disobedience. Dyrløv warns that children are not mature enough to make such decisions.
October 14th, 2024 ’15 year old Trine got a boyfriend: was ostracized by Jehovah’s Witnesses 15-year-old girl, Trine, a Jehovah’s Witnesses at the time was ostracized for having a high school boyfriend. This led her to lose contact with her family and friends within the religious community. Despite her parents’ efforts to hide her situation, a family member reported her to the congregation’s elders. After being interrogated about her relationship, she was officially shunned. This caused significant emotional distress, leading her to struggle with drug addiction and eventually being placed in foster care. Though she has since recovered, Trine’s experience left lasting effects on her self-esteem and mental health. She thanks the support of fellow EX-JW (Former Jehovah’s Witnesses) for “being her salvation.” Denmark seems to be full steam ahead, with the articles of accusations of psychological violence and strict exclusion practices that have sparked investigations into the group in Denmark and led to a loss of state support for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norway.
Ekstra Bladet has previously asked Jehovah’s Witnesses how it works if a minor is ostracized. They emphasize that it is rare for a person under 18 to be ostracized, but if it were to happen due to a ‘serious sin’, then parents are still obliged to provide the child with ‘food, clothing and shelter’, reads the written response in a email with reference to the fact that it was written in ‘The Watchtower’ in 1988.
In 2022, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norway lost their state support. The reason was, among other things, that the court considered that the principle of exclusion against children is contrary to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
As this investigation continues, updates of articles on Jehovah’s Witnesses will be featured here on AvoidJW. If found to be in violation of Danish law, the organization could lose its significant legal and financial privileges. This mirrors a similar case in Norway, where Jehovah’s Witnesses lost their state recognition due to concerns about social control and exclusion practices. The case in Denmark has sparked national debate over religious freedom, legal compliance, and the protection of vulnerable members within religious communities. The Danish government has their eyes on the organization, and is going to decide if it meets the requirements to retain its recognition as a religious community.
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