LINK Norway will no longer fund the Jehovah's Witnesses
In a move that’s both long overdue and shocking, the Norwegian government said it would no longer provide funding to the Jehovah’s Witnesses because of the religious sect’s cult-like practices.
Norway will no longer fund the Jehovah's Witnesses
A government official cited the Witnesses' exclusionary policies as justification for denying them state aid (via Shutterstock)
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In a move that’s both long overdue and shocking, the Norwegian government said it would no longer provide funding to the Jehovah’s Witnesses because of the religious sect’s cult-like practices.
Norway’s odd relationship with religion
Norway, which has a national Church but no longer has a national religion, is one of those countries where religion is literally supported by taxpayers; the more members you have, the more money your preferred religious (or Humanist) organization receives. Any “religious” group with 50 registered members are allowed to apply for state subsidies, and more than 800 groups receive that kind of funding.
The law is very open regarding the kinds of religious or non-religious groups that can receive that money. However there are some lines in the sand:
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I'm sure they will knock some other countries door! 
Austin-Cambridge
Level 8
Feb 1, 2022
3
If once they decided this was good, then OK, but if they now do not want to do this it is even better. No religion should be funded by the state, except for the Vatican.
dalefvictor
Level 8
Jan 31, 2022
2
Why should th State support the Vatican?
@Alienbeing Vatican is a state
@Canndue I know that. So who are you saying should support the State?
@Alienbeing ??? Sorry, think we have a miscommunication going on…
@Canndue I agree. Can you clarify?
Are you saying that the Vatican is funded by Catholic Church members? If so, fine, if not what are you saying?
@Alienbeing yes, I was basically agreeing with you
@Alienbeing The pope is the head of the catholic church, so I was thinking that was a state that was headed by a religious leader.
There are worse cults. The JWs are required to do good deeds. Visiting people may be considered one of those deeds. It is the proselytizing that bugs me. Stay away from that & we are fine. So don't try it.
Mooolah
Level 8
Jan 31, 2022
2
I think that it is the banishing thing that qualifies them as a cult.
Even family members are never again supposed to speak with someone if they leave the flock.
Never.
@BufftonBeotch SIL and niece going through that now, though they meet on the sly…
Support them? Rather than just let them carry on not paying taxes as churches do in the US?
That's crazy.
BufftonBeotch
Level 8
Jan 31, 2022
5
Still a long way to go…….though a good start.
CuddyCruiser
Level 8
Jan 31, 2022
2
Good. Some countries won't recognize them as a religion, much less fund them.
Beowulfsfriend
Level 9
Jan 31, 2022
6
They used to be considered a cult here as well…
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