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.
Published By: Miss Usato, Last Updated: February 3rd, 2025
We will provide a day-by-day account of the second phase of a trial between the Norwegian government and the Jehovah’s Witness organization. This case arose due to the decisions made between 2021 and 2024, in which Jehovah’s Witnesses were denied state funding and eventually lost their official registration as a religious community.
In January 2024, the Oslo District Court held a trial examining the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ practices, particularly the baptism of minors and the shunning of those who leave the faith. The court investigated whether these practices violated Norwegian laws and children’s rights, focusing on the organization’s policies and their impact on individuals and families. Former Jehovah’s Witnesses testified about their challenging pasts, being baptized at a young age and later experiencing social exclusion upon leaving the faith.
As a result, on March 4th, 2024, the court ruled against the organization, revoking its registration as a recognized religious community in Norway and cutting off state subsidies. This means they lost public financial support in Norway, including being sentenced to pay USD $108,091.00 and losing USD $500,000.00 of donated funds in trial costs .
In response to the deregistration, the organization adjusted its disciplinary practices concerning shunned members on March 15th, 2024; they also filed an appeal, arguing that the government acted unlawfully.
An appeal trial commenced on February 3, 2025. The Jehovah’s Witnesses will challenge the previous ruling to restore their registration and regain state support. At the same time, the prosecution will revisit the issues of child baptism and shunning, assessing their compliance with Norwegian laws and children’s rights.
Government attorney Liv Inger Gjone Gabrielsen and legal assistant Kristin Hallsjø Aarvik represent the State of Norway. Anders Ryssdal, his team from Glittertind AS law firm, and lawyers from Watchtower, including Jason Wise (front right in the bottom right image), represent Jehovah’s Witnesses.
What You Should Know Before the Trial
Both parties submitted the closing arguments to the Borgarting Court of Appeal (Borgarting lagmannsrett) in Oslo, Norway, on January 20, 2025. The case pertains to case number 24-081251ASD-BORG/02.
Misinterpretation of Doctrine – The state wrongly assumes Jehovah’s Witnesses enforce strict shunning, while the organization argues that personal relationships after leaving are individual choices not mandated by doctrine.
Procedural Errors & Lack of Evidence – The decision was made without a thorough investigation, relying on biased testimonies without concrete proof of harm.
Violation of Constitutional & Human Rights – The ruling contradicts Norway’s Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly regarding religious freedom and discrimination.
No Justification for State Intervention – The government’s reasoning is inconsistent, and revoking registration and funding does not protect individuals but instead stigmatizes the religious group.
Discriminatory Decision – The European Court of Human Rights has ruled against arbitrary denial of religious benefits, and this decision disproportionately harms 12,000 members.
Legal Challenge – Jehovah’s Witnesses will present expert testimony and evidence to argue that the ruling was unjust and discriminatory.
Violation of Religious Freedom & Children’s Rights – The government argues that Jehovah’s Witnesses enforce strict shunning, restricting individuals’ freedom to leave the faith. This practice, including the exclusion of baptized and unbaptized children, constitutes psychological violence under Norwegian law and violates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
No Violation of Religious Freedom – While the state denies funding and marriage authority, Jehovah’s Witnesses remain free to practice their religion. The decision is justified as it protects public order and individual rights.
No Violation of Freedom of Association – The organization retains full autonomy and legal recognition but does not qualify for state benefits due to harmful practices. Any interference, if present, is lawful and necessary.
Not a Case of Discrimination – The same legal criteria apply to all religious groups. Jehovah’s Witnesses were denied funding based on documented exclusion practices, not their beliefs.
Legally Sound & Procedurally Correct – The decision was based on Jehovah’s Witnesses publications, testimonies, and external reports. Procedural errors, if any, do not affect the ruling’s legal validity.
The Norwegian government argues that Jehovah’s Witnesses’ exclusion policies violate fundamental rights, justifying the loss of state funding. They maintain that the decision is legal, proportionate, and necessary, urging the court to uphold the ruling and require Jehovah’s Witnesses to cover legal costs. On the other hand, Jehovah’s Witnesses contend that the decision lacks legal grounds, is based on misinterpretations, and unfairly targets their community. The trial will ultimately determine whether the state’s actions were lawful and justified in a democratic society.
Jan Nilsen, has been a courageous and outspoken advocate in exposing the harmful practices of the Watchtower in Norway, testifying three times in the process. Just days before the trial began, he discovered that his father—a Jehovah’s Witness elder in Norway—had been called as the final witness. Given that there was no apparent reason for his father to testify for Watchtower, Jan took to social media to share his thoughts. Shortly afterward, again for an unknown reason, he heard that his father was pulled from the list of testimonies. Jan’s post was featured in an article on Avoid, which you can find on the link tab. Vart Land, a Norwegian newspaper, has also been following this trial closely since 2024; their first page headlines one from last year featuring Noomi – a former witness who was also shunned from her family as a teenager. Another from Vartland is featured on February 3rd. We send our love and support through the next two weeks.
The Price We Pay: Norway vs Jehovah’s Witnesses – the Trial of 2024
AccessJW: Legal Documents relating to the 2024 Trial
Jehovah’s Witnesses Lose Grant Appeal in Norway
Shocking New Changes in 2024 Governing Body Update #2
Office of the Attorney General, representing the State of Norway
Glittertind AS Law Firm representing Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jan Nilsens speaks of the values in Advocacy, the Journey with Norway
“Even You, Brutus?” – Jan Nilsen’s open letter on Social Media about his father being a witness in the case for Jehovah’s Witnesses