Russian Ban of Jehovah's Witnesses

[JehovahsWitness]

Jehovah's Witneses in Russia a facing an imminent ban which would criminalize all of Jehovah's Witnessses in the country as "extremists". Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide are presently conducting a letter writing campaign to protest this injustice.

CLATIFICATION 2020: Since the ban of the Watchtower Society was eventually passed in April 2017 thread is specifically to discuss the actual charges mentioned in the State procesution papers and the subseqent arrests under the specific charges under Article 282.2 (1) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (RF Criminal Code) of EXTREMISM in Russia.

What is your opinion of this move? Should Jehovah's Witnesses be banned from meeting to pray, read their bibles and sing spiritual songs together?

Do you think such a move could be envisioned elsewhere?

If you are non-religious, would you welcome such measures as a move to ultimately eliminate organized religion?


https://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by- ... at-of-ban/

[Clownboat]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness]

I thought JWs were not supposed to be involved in politics? You didnt bother pointing out the mistreatment of the LGBT community which russia has been persecuting in the same or in some cases worse for some time now. Suddenly the JWs in Russia are facing the same persecution that many minority groups in Russia face and now your up in arms?

Is it ok for JWs to be political only when it affects them?

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 20 by DanieltheDragon]

Powerful poem.

The procedings continue tomorrow.

[youtube][/youtube]

[DanieltheDragon]

[Replying to post 22 by JehovahsWitness]


Again Jehovah's witnesses are not supposed to be involved in politics. As you highlated in another topic. Is it a violation of your principles to promote this issue and instigate political change?

Is it god's will that they be persecuted?

Is it hypocritical for Jehovah's witnesses to be politically active on this issue when there are other minority groups facing the same or worse issues?

does only JW lives matter?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 23 by DanieltheDragon]



Well there's a lot to be learnt from history ...

[youtube][/youtube]


What shall be shall be.


JW

[bjs]

What is happening in Russia right now horrifies and slightly scares me. The language of the Russian government is reminiscent of the Soviet-era propaganda, when millions were slaughtered in the name of state-sponsored atheism. The Russian government has already said that they will imprison JW’s, and stated they the plan to steal – I mean “seize� – JW’s property and funds. I have no idea what to do about it, but all free people should be upset by this.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wor ... 53bb9301b3

[DanieltheDragon]

What is happening in Russia right now horrifies and slightly scares me. The language of the Russian government is reminiscent of the Soviet-era propaganda, when millions were slaughtered in the name of state-sponsored atheism. The Russian government has already said that they will imprison JW’s, and stated they the plan to steal – I mean “seize� – JW’s property and funds. I have no idea what to do about it, but all free people should be upset by this.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wor ... 53bb9301b3

What about Chechnyan homosexual concentration camps? Again this rhetoric has been around for some time now. JWs are not the only targets, and remember this isn't in the name of atheism nor was what happened in Soviet Russia if you know your history. Putin is scapegoating minority groups as a diversion tactic to his mismanagement of foreign affairs.

What I find sad is that for so many people to lack the empathy to only care when it effects their social groups. Kill a gay who cares, imprison political opponents whatever, murder and imprison reporters just another day at work. Threaten Christians the whole world falls apart.

This is horrifying and I feel for the people of Russia. Trying to imply and scapegoat atheism doesn't help either...

[JehovahsWitness]

What is happening in Russia right now horrifies and slightly scares me. The language of the Russian government is reminiscent of the Soviet-era propaganda, when millions were slaughtered in the name of state-sponsored atheism. The Russian government has already said that they will imprison JW’s, and stated they the plan to steal – I mean “seize� – JW’s property and funds. I have no idea what to do about it, but all free people should be upset by this.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wor ... 53bb9301b3

Indeed. The outcome will have repurcussions for all people that value freedom.

Excellent article in the New York Times
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/w ... esses.html

[DanieltheDragon]

What is happening in Russia right now horrifies and slightly scares me. The language of the Russian government is reminiscent of the Soviet-era propaganda, when millions were slaughtered in the name of state-sponsored atheism. The Russian government has already said that they will imprison JW’s, and stated they the plan to steal – I mean “seize� – JW’s property and funds. I have no idea what to do about it, but all free people should be upset by this.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wor ... 53bb9301b3

Indeed. The outcome will have repurcussions for all people that value freedom.

Excellent article in the New York Times
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/w ... esses.html

Unfortunately there is not much you can do about it. We can't go to war with Russia as Putin and Trump have made clear they are not afraid to use nukes. Russia is already under steep economic sanctions. Putin is going to do what Putin does.

This will only have repurcussions for the Russian people though missives about all people that value freedom is a platitude.

Productive things would be raising money to get your fellow JWs out of Russia and help them sell off their assets before they are seized. Thankfully you are all of one church with the economic and fundraising might behind it. Perhaps your church should act now in prudence rather than hope for change from a sociopath with unchecked power.

[JehovahsWitness]

What is happening in Russia right now horrifies and slightly scares me. The language of the Russian government is reminiscent of the Soviet-era propaganda, when millions were slaughtered in the name of state-sponsored atheism. The Russian government has already said that they will imprison JW’s, and stated they the plan to steal – I mean “seize� – JW’s property and funds. I have no idea what to do about it, but all free people should be upset by this.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wor ... 53bb9301b3

Indeed. The outcome will have repurcussions for all people that value freedom.

Excellent article in the New York Times
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/w ... esses.html

Unfortunately there is not much you can do about it. We can't go to war with Russia as Putin and Trump have made clear they are not afraid to use nukes.

No Jehovah's Witnesses are non-violent, we will never take up arms or resort to violence, even when violence is done to us. It came up in court numerous times, that for JWs love and peace are basics of our theology and governs what we do. Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia and worldwide will do what we did when similar measures were taken by Stalin, we will stick together and endure. The bible says that "he who endures to the end is the one that will be saved".


JW

[DanieltheDragon]

[Replying to post 29 by JehovahsWitness]

Yes war is not an option we both agree, since economic sanctions are all but exhausted the only logical solution is to help them leave and avert suffering. You suggest just let them suffer? Did I misunderstand the intent of your post? That this is merely just an evangelism tool rather than trying to get awareness and help alienate suffering?