Around 30,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses from different corners of the world gathered this weekend in Stockholm for a convention called ‘Eternal Happiness,’ held at the 3 Arena. Among those in attendance was Sophie, who traveled from Wisconsin with her mother and sister. ‘You feel a very strong connection with these people, even if you have never seen them before in your life,’ she explained.
The atmosphere inside the venue was one of celebration and fellowship, with thousands of faithful sharing their faith at an international event. However, the scene outside the doors was very different.
Outside the stadium, a small group of people critical of the organization took the opportunity to make their voices heard. Several former members pointed out that leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses is neither a free nor a simple decision. According to these individuals, those who choose to leave face what is known as ‘shunning’ — a practice whereby active believers cut off all contact with those who leave the congregation, including immediate family members.
‘Many people are afraid to leave because they know they will lose their family and all their friends at once,’ said one of the former members present at the protest. This dynamic, they denounce, turns leaving into an emotionally devastating process that discourages many from making that decision.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses organization did not publicly respond to the criticism expressed outside the venue during the event.
Original source: SVT Nyheter