Legal problems in Sweden

[MJ1]

seems like Norway...Sweden wants to take away any govt subsidies they give to other religions

 

https://bitterwinter.org/jehovahs-witnesses-and-state-subsidies-in-sweden-2-a-law-designed-to-exclude/

[Dustparticle]

4 hours ago, MJ1 said:

seems like Norway...Sweden wants to take away any govt subsidies they give to other religions

 

https://bitterwinter.org/jehovahs-witnesses-and-state-subsidies-in-sweden-2-a-law-designed-to-exclude/

 

 

 There is a appealing process through ECHR.

[MJ1]

part two I did not post but here is part 3

 

https://bitterwinter.org/jehovahs-witnesses-and-state-subsidies-in-sweden-3-the-october-blow/

[Sheep]

On 11/19/2025 at 6:05 AM, MJ1 said:

part two I did not post but here is part 3

 

You did post part 2, in the OP. Part 1 was not posted. Here are all four articles in the series:

 

https://bitterwinter.org/jehovahs-witnesses-and-state-subsidies-in-sweden-1-the-historical-context/

https://bitterwinter.org/jehovahs-witnesses-and-state-subsidies-in-sweden-2-a-law-designed-to-exclude/

https://bitterwinter.org/jehovahs-witnesses-and-state-subsidies-in-sweden-3-the-october-blow/

https://bitterwinter.org/jehovahs-witnesses-and-state-subsidies-in-sweden-4-institutionalized-discrimination/

Edited Thursday at 10:37 PM by Sheep

[Mike047]

It seems that, across Europe, a number of nations are in the process of being swayed away from JW inclusion in state subsidies, and whatever goes along with that. We wait to see what events follow.

[Jwanon]

It is not an intellectual problem. We could give all of the logical arguments, but if Satan has clouded their minds then none of them will work. Only Jehovah can do something about it.

Edited Friday at 12:37 PM by Jwanon

[Eejay]

1 hour ago, Mike047 said:

a number of nations are in the process of being swayed away from JW inclusion

Enlightening to note also the clear meddling of Babylon the Great in this Swedish affair. Rev.17:2.

[Mike047]

I see you feel confused by this point, Hannah, but news articles about other European nations, like France and Norway seem to be moving in that direction. Whatever the case, if and when any of these nations bring back in conscription, as a result of the fragile peace between Russia and other parts of Europe, this may also be a trigger for further restrictions against Jehovah's people. This was part of my reasoning.

[Sequoia]

The Governing Body has stated that the Witnesses won on appeal in Norway.  They did say the other side could appeal that decision but maybe they won't or if they do, we'll win again. In Belgium we won on appeal and again the Supreme Court of the country which stated that disfellowshipping is lawful. Bitter Winter also reported that in the Czech Republic they were considering restricting Jehovah's Witnesses, but the matter did not have to go to court as they were helped to see that there was no basis for it.

Edited Saturday at 08:42 PM by Sequoia
Added Info

[Sequoia]

From www.jw.org

Court of Appeal Unanimously Overturns Unconstitutional Ruling in Norway Appeal court's ruling in Norway in our favor. 

European Court of Human Rights Sides With Jehovah’s Witnesses in Belgium on Tax Issue Favorable ECHR ruling concerning Jehovah's Witnesses in Belgium.

Austria Ordered to Compensate Jehovah’s Witnesses for Discrimination Austria wasn't giving Witnesses the same benefits or rights as many other religions and the Witnesses won in the ECHR.

 

From Bitter Winter

Ghent Decision Overturned on Appeal: Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Shunning Can Be Freely Taught and Practiced in Belgium Favorable appeal ruling in Belgium.

The Ghent Saga Ends: Belgium Cassation Court Confirms that Shunning Is Lawful Belgium's Supreme Court of Cassation's favorable ruling for Jehovah's Witnesses upholding appeals court.

Czech Ministry of Culture Will Not Proceed with Dissolution of Jehovah’s Witnesses Czech authorities decide on their own not dissolve or restrict Jehovah's Witnesses without going to court.

 

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled in favor in the past of Jehovah's Witnesses in France concerning taxes.  So hopefully the problems in Sweden will be resolved.

From JW.ORG

France Returns Funds Collected Illegally From Jehovah’s Witnesses Results of the ECHR ruling.

Edited Saturday at 09:13 PM by Sequoia

[Dolce vita]

On 11/21/2025 at 12:15 PM, Mike047 said:

It seems that, across Europe, a number of nations are in the process of being swayed away from JW inclusion in state subsidies, and whatever goes along with that. We wait to see what events follow.

For France: it's no longer on the agenda, it's been sorted out (at least for now), we learned on Wednesday from Brother Splane. Great news, let's take it as it comes, thank you Jehovah.

[MJ1]

Do you have more information about what he said about the case in France, can find no other info apart from this site on the subject

[MJ1]

meantime in Russia ....

 

https://www.humanrightsresearch.org/post/russia-intensifies-crackdown-on-jehovah-s-witnesses-in-occupied-crimea-and-across-the-federation

[Dolce vita]

7 hours ago, MJ1 said:

Do you have more information about what he said about the case in France, can find no other info apart from this site on the subject

The congregations have not yet been officially informed by Bethel. I prefer to wait until we know exactly what we are being told before discussing it. I only know from friends who attended the morning service on Wednesday with the Bethel family that Brother Splane said that the Prefect involved in the proceedings had dropped the charges... for now.

[jdcarlson]

I remember a telephone conversation with a first cousin in the Legal Department at Patterson about 30 years ago.

 

He commented that the Society was starting to see difficulties with countries in Europe over our adherence to Jehovah's standards on morality. He was concerned that things would get more intense in the future.

 

Apparently many European countries believe in looser standards on moral conduct.

 

It appears that he was right. Many, but not all, of the European countries seem to be taking issue with the clean moral standards of Jehovah's Organization. They sometimes express it in different terms (i.e., disciplining children, "shunning", etc.) but much of it seems to start with the view that Jehovah's standards on morality are too strict.

 

Putting this on top of allegations that Jehovah's people do not support the state just gives them more excuses to persecute Jehovah's faithful ones.

 

I am thankful that in the U.S. we have, at least so far, not faced this.

 

But, only time will tell what tactics Satan will use in the future.

 

Right now, we can pray for Jehovah to give each dear one in these countries a full share of holy spirit so they can endure.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

[Mike047]

You make a good point there, Jim, and with the advent of transgender recognition, things will only get more difficult. Scandinavia and other European countries seem to have adapted to current trends. There are many gay religious leaders here in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, so  - watch this space? 

[dljbsp]

On 11/21/2025 at 6:15 AM, Mike047 said:

It seems that, across Europe, a number of nations are in the process of being swayed away from JW inclusion in state subsidies, and whatever goes along with that. We wait to see what events follow.

 

If there’s one thing this whole discussion shows, it’s that Europe isn’t dealing with one story — it’s dozens of moving parts drifting in and out of the headlines. Sweden sharpens its criteria, Norway softens its stance, Belgium overturns its own courts, France slides something off the table for now, and the Czech authorities quietly close a file the moment the facts settle. Nothing moves in a straight line anymore; it all bends depending on who’s holding the pen that week.

 

But the thread running through every place where the pressure rises is simple: once the dust settles and judges actually look at evidence instead of rumors, the truth has a way of clearing its throat. Courts in four different countries didn’t do us any favors — they just considered the facts in front of them without the noise. And when that happens, things straighten out.

 

So what we’re seeing in Sweden fits the wider pattern, not the final picture. Some countries push. Some pull. And every so often, one of them surprises us by stepping back and saying, “There’s no case here.”

It’s a strange map, but it’s not a hopeless one.

 

And until the next page turns, Jehovah hasn’t moved an inch — which is the one part of the story no government can rewrite.