Jehovah's Witnesses about to be banned in Russia

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I’m absolutely not for banning a religion, no matter how off the wall their beliefs may be. But the real issue here is that it is only going to cause JW’s to ramp up their activities because they now can carry the “victim” card as well.

“You see, Jesus said we’d be persecuted, we’re being banned in a whole country, that means we’re right!”
 
That’s terrible news. JWs seem to be peaceful people, so I don’t see why they’d ever be labeled extremists.
 
2_RollinStoned said:
Looks like it went down anyway.

Wow. Exciting stuff.

I see the JW’s showed the court certificates and awards the Russian government had given us over the last 25 years congratulating us for being good for society and promoting decent values… - Now we are banned as dangerous extremists! :rolleyes:

It sounds like they are going to confiscate all our property. We will have to go back to meeting in private homes I guess.
The Kingdom preaching work will continue, even if we are only allowed to use the Bible and risk getting arrested.

I expect we will appeal to the ‘European Court of human rights’. Jehovah’s Witnesses have several times on issues like conscientious objection to military service and freedom to preach. But the Russian government may simply ignore any decision. I think they have before. 🤷

When the Nazis locked JWs in concentration camps it didn’t stop the Kingdom preaching work. When Nazi Germany collapsed, more JW’s came out of the camps than had gone in! Even some of the SS guards became Jehovah’s Witnesses. 😃
It will be interesting to see what Putin thinks he can do to stop sincere people like that.
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Hard case!
Look at them storming our meeting hall!

bbc.com/news/world-europe-39661339

They have automatic weapons and are wearing balaclavas - as if we they are expecting us to shoot guns at them! 😛

It reminds me of Jesus rhetorical question when he was arrested:
“Did you come with swords and clubs as if against a robber?” Luke 22:52.
 
At John 17:16, Jesus said of his followers: “They are no part of the world just as I am no part of the world.”

What do you understand Jesus meant by that?
 
Well Ok. Thats up to you.

But when a situation develops where Jesus instructs one thing and the government demands another, Jehovah’s Witnesses will follow the principle of another “proof text”:

In answer Peter and the other apostles said: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men." Acts 5:29

Thanks for your thoughts. 🙂
 
Well that’s the thing: they should be treated the same as any other citizens who would prefer not to join the army. Not better, not worse.

That doesn’t mean declaring them extremists and banning their denomination.
 
On the other hand, if the politicians decide a war is appropriate and those families sons are sent to fight;

they can be quite sure the people trying to kill them won’t be Jehovah’s Witnesses. 🤷
 
Yes I agree, the same rules for everyone. Heck, one thing that bothers me in my own country is the notion that if you don’t give someone special treatment because of their religion then you are persecuting them. 🤷
 
I would be no part of it. John 17:16 again.
If one faction of Satans world wants to fight another faction of Satans world, that’s up to them.
When they come for me I will say I’m nothing to do with it and leave it in God’s hands.
Roll on God’s Kingdom when that won’t happen anymore.

“…Let your Kingdom come, let your will be done, as in heaven, also upon earth…” Matthew 6:10.
 
Ok, but I was more wondering what does your wife, and like minded people, think should be done wrt Muslims, given that …
Banning the JW’s is unwise and not something I agree with but there is a context to it. My wife who is a native Russian would agree with the ban and sees the group as a foreign sect that engages in brainwashing and which should be completely excluded from Russia. She would also like to see Mormons banned and several other similar groups. I disagree with her in this regard. She thinks I am too nice for my own good though and that these are essentially confidence tricksters masquerading as religions. Not an uncommon opinion in Russia it must be said.
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The most interesting thing is the Watchtower always demands free speech for itself but their own members cannot speak freely or they will face disfellowship immediately.

As a JW you must obey 100% of EVERYTHING the governing body says no matter what even if they change their own JW core doctrines like 1914 and their generation.
 
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