My name is Jake Reinert and I am a 25-year-old ex-Jehovah’s Witness from Spokane, WA, USA. I was born and raised in the religion and was a 3rd to 4th generation Jehovah’s Witness. Shunning was a theme of the religion that I learned from a young age, and I myself was shunned from every single person I knew at the …
Robert U. Rational “Holy Books in Glass Cases: When Religious Freedom Turns Absurd” Ever wondered if your next Bible Belt neighborhood barbecue could legally double as a witch burning, if you claimed it as a religious practice? Of course, before you start planning a themed party complete with pitchforks—or wood stacks, for that matter—let’s consider where we draw the line …
By Robert U. Rational In the realm of human rights and personal freedoms, the issue of mandated shunning by high control religious groups remains a deeply concerning practice that inflicts untold emotional and psychological pain on countless individuals. At ShunningIsACrime.org, our mission is to challenge and ultimately criminalize this coercive behavior through legal channels worldwide. However, the success of this …
By Robert U. Rational In today’s interconnected world, bullying has become a widely recognized social issue, with considerable attention directed towards its prevention and mitigation. However, there exists a form of social coercion that often flies under the radar, which is mandated shunning from faith-based communities like Exclusive Brethren, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, Haredi Jews, Amish/Mennonites, and the Bahá’í Faith. While …
By Robert U. Rational In a world where conformity is often prized over individuality, the role of critical thinking becomes paramount, especially in the context of high control religious groups. These groups, which include but are not limited to Exclusive Brethren, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, Haredi Jews, Amish, and the Bahá’í Faith, often employ stringent measures to maintain control over their …
BREAKING NEWS: The Norway state subsidy is to be withheld from Jehovah’s Witnesses (Watch Tower), as the Oslo district appeal court upholds their previous decision, deeming it valid. The court acquits the State, citing “serious violations of the rights and freedoms of others” in the exclusion practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Last year, it was announced that Jehovah’s Witnesses would lose …
By Robert U. Rational In today’s interconnected world, the importance of community and belonging cannot be overstated. However, not all communities offer the warmth and support we seek. High-control groups, often masquerading as havens of spiritual enlightenment or personal development, use various techniques to maintain their grip on members. Among these, mandated shunning is one of the most psychologically damaging …
Shunning is a Crime was initiated by ex-members of Jehovah’s Witnesses. However, we want to raise awareness that mandated shunning is carried out by other faith-based organisations too. The following video is a rare copy of an early BBC documentary about the Exclusive Brethren. Presented by Peter France and directed by Jim Murray, “Doctrine That Divides” was first broadcast in …
The Shunning is a Crime team highly recommends watching and listening to this entertaining and informative podcast about mandated shunning. It features an engaging conversation between two ex-JW elders, Patrick Haeck and Daniel Torridon, who compare this form of shunning to a social death sentence and stoning. In one hour, get caught up on why mandated shunning should be treated …
My name is Rachel Jackson. I was baptised at the Palmerston North District Convention in New Zealand, at the age of 25 back in 1990. I was young, naive and somewhat of an idealist. Coming from a Catholic background, I was ripe for indoctrination. Little did I realise then, how my life would be turned upside down 22 years later. …
