The Watchtower Society fought many court battles to establish the rights of their members to actively publish and proselytize their message, which is ultimately a 'multiplying ministry' seeking to recruit new members.

Anson Phelps Stokes stated in 1950 about the results of their litigation in his book, Church and State in the United States. (Page 546):

"Federal courts have rendered a series of decisions which have secured and broadened the religious-freedom guarantees of American citizens, and have protected and extended their civil liberties."

Note that the freedoms of religion won were on behalf of us individually, the citizens, not the religious institution itself.

This begs the question, should individual religions have rights enshrined to them? This question is open to discussion by the United Nations right now. Under a proposal by the Organization of Islamic Conference, U.N. Resolution 62/154, "Combating Defamation of Religions", Islam as a faith  - a collection of ideas and opinions - would itself be protected from criticism. This from a religion that seeks the global adoption of Sharia law with its public beheadings, floggings and general abuse of women and homesexuals.

Almost as ironic as the Watchtower Society campaigning for religious freedom and then denying that freedom to members who wish to leave. But oh yes - I forgot - like Islam, the Watchtower Society also sees itself as God's expression on earth - they too look forward to the day (soon) when God destroys 99% of humanity to enable them to have the earth to themselves.

So should religions be given rights, or should we leave the rights with citizens? The history of the Watchtower Society gives good reason to believe that giving religions rights is a dangerous step in the wrong direction for those truly interested in freedom.

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