04-02-2010, 11:10 PM
I have heard an unfortunate account of a disfellowshipped family that went to the Kingdom Hall and were restricted from entering it on Memorial night. The family was made to stand out in the snowy weather for 25 minutes until the program began until they were finally escorted in by some elders to some designated seating in the back of the hall.
This isn't the first time such things have happened. I know of another couple that were prevented from entering a Kingdom Hall on the night their disfellowshipping announcement was to be read.
I have recently become aware that it a right given by US Federal Law that you cannot be prohibited from entering a place of worship to exercise your constitutional right of freedom of worship. It is a violation of your civil rights and carries a hefty civil penalty of up to a $10,000 fine and a 6 month imprisonment for a first offense.
http://www.justice.gov/crt/split/facestat.php
If you are faced with a similar situation it may be helpful to kindly remind the elders of your civil rights. (Acts 22:25)
This isn't the first time such things have happened. I know of another couple that were prevented from entering a Kingdom Hall on the night their disfellowshipping announcement was to be read.
I have recently become aware that it a right given by US Federal Law that you cannot be prohibited from entering a place of worship to exercise your constitutional right of freedom of worship. It is a violation of your civil rights and carries a hefty civil penalty of up to a $10,000 fine and a 6 month imprisonment for a first offense.
http://www.justice.gov/crt/split/facestat.php
If you are faced with a similar situation it may be helpful to kindly remind the elders of your civil rights. (Acts 22:25)