To summarize the ruling:

The court, in assessing the reasonableness of differential treatment, considers the balancing of rights and interests. It emphasizes that Jehovah’s Witnesses should continue receiving grants and be registered under the Religious Communities Act. The freedom of religion, equal support for all faith communities, and historical practices support this stance. The court acknowledges the importance of state subsidies and registration for Jehovah’s Witnesses. It highlights the impact of exclusion practices on children’s rights and sees no substantial reasons to deem the differential treatment as unreasonable. The court finds that the decisions safeguard legitimate purposes, such as protecting the rights of others and maintaining democratic support for registration and subsidies. The court dismisses claims of interference with religious freedom and property rights, ruling in favor of the state.

In terms of costs, the state is awarded compensation, and the judgment is delayed due to the extensive nature of the case. The publication of the judgment is anonymized for privacy reasons. The State is acquitted, and Jehovah’s Witnesses are ordered to pay the state’s case costs of 1,140,505 NOK.

In deciding the reasonableness of differential treatment, a balance of rights and interests is crucial. It must be determined if such treatment is necessary for legitimate purposes. Various factors suggest that Jehovah’s Witnesses should maintain grants and registration under the Religious Communities Act. The key factor is the right to freedom of religion, allowing them to express their beliefs. Additionally, equal support for all faith communities is mandated by the Constitution. Although exclusion is a known practice, it’s integral to religious teachings. The global consistency of their beliefs and the assurance that loss of registration won’t alter their practices further emphasize the importance of state subsidies, which constitute a substantial portion of their income from 2021 to 2023.