Merete’s Shunning Story: A court witness for the State of Norway speaks out

Описание: In February 2025, Merete Bredesen testified at the Borgarting Court of Appeal in Oslo during Jehovah’s Witnesses’ appeal against the loss of their state funding and official registration in Norway.

Jehovah’s Witnesses lost state funding after their subsidy claim was denied for 2021, due to concerns about the organisation’s disciplinary practices, including shunning and exclusion, particularly where children were affected. In March 2025, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The Norwegian state has appealed that decision, and the case will be heard by Norway’s Supreme Court from 5–9 February 2026.

In this video, Merete shares her experience of growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, being baptised as a minor, and the consequences of leaving, including being forced out of her home at 16 and losing contact with family.

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Mandated shunning occurs when an organisation forces its members to ignore and isolate former members due to ideological or theological differences. Mandated shunning even prohibits simple social gestures, such as saying "hello" or sharing a meal. This practice is commonly used by high-control groups to deter members from leaving the group or challenging its practices.

Some groups who practice mandated shunning are Jehovah’s Witnesses, Ultra-Orthodox Jews, Exclusive Brethren, Amish, Bahá'í Faith, Geelong Revival Centre, Muslims, and Scientologists. Membership in just these eight organisations numbers in the tens of millions worldwide.

Mandated shunning is a form of spiritual abuse and a fundamental violation of the principles found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, it escapes prosecution because legal professionals are deceived into thinking that shunning is a personal decision instead of an enforced organisational practice.

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