nowwhat?

I think it would be great if the gb could testify on behalf of the russia brothers they say care so much about. If nothing else it would show the dear Russian brothers that jehovahs organization has their back. And give them moral support. Or do they only leave their lakeside condos to give talks in tropical land's? This would be a great point to bring up with your uber jdubs

sir82

Not wanting to defend the GB exactly, but why would Russians allow American tourists into one of their supreme court cases?

I would guess no one gets in unless specifically summoned by the court.

I can't imagine, say, the US Supreme Court allowing a Russian tourist into one of their cases, and allowing them to shout out "objection!" in the midst of the legal discussion.

punkofnice

the rock star popes were invited to the latest ARC as I understand (correct me if I'm wrong), but declined the offer.

I see no reason why the GB shouldn't at least try to get into dialog with Russian authorities. Even if they are told to get knotted.

I don't believe the GB really give a rats bum about anything other than their rock star pope lifestyle. Do the GB have love for the rank and file? Do me a favour, mate!

Just my opinion.

My Name is of No Consequence

"Are any of the governing body going to russia for the court case?!"

Are you kiddin' me?

blondie

Why, only John was there off from a distance when Jesus was killed, the rest ran.

It is interesting that I found a news item from Spokane that labeled this a protest against the government; considering the other protests going on, I wonder if this will makes things more dangerous for the local jws.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/27/spokane-area-jehovah-witnesses-protesting-russian-/

Spokane-area Jehovah witnesses protesting Russian decision to label group an extremist organization

UPDATED: TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017, 6:25 A.M.

JW GoneBad

"Are Any Of The Governing Body Going To Russia For The Court Case?"

Ha! What do you think of when you hear the name 'Jonah'? That's right...a 'Chicken Shit'!

OrphanCrow

Blondie, I read that Spokane piece (press release submitted by the JWs) as well and I thought it was misleading of the JW to say:

"“We just want to be able to exercise our freedom of religion as we have in every place in the world,” Hardy said."

He makes it sound like Russia is only place in the world that is saying "no" to the Jehovah's Witnesses practice of evangelizing. Russia isn't the only country that isn't pleased with the JWs. What about China? Singapore? Iraq? Morocco?

He also says this:

“We’re very concerned about what will happen to our fellow Witnesses in Russia,” Hardy said.

Really? Concerned about individual Russian JWs? I don't think so. This aggressive move by the GB, to call to pen and paper of their 8 million followers to launch a paper attack on the Kremlin, is an incredibly irresponsible move that will increase the risk to JWs in Russia. And the GB knows this very well. They know it will make it more dangerous for the JWs in Russia, not less.

What this WT spokesman fails to say is that this letter writing campaign is being done to protect the WT assets in Russia and it disregards the individuals themselves. The WT property is losing "freedom of religion". The WTS in Russia is a foreign organization. The individual Russian JWs aren't.

It is the WTS organization that is facing a ban - the Russian JWs aren't. They will continue to be free to believe whatever they want - as long as they follow the law in Russia against spreading their infectious ideas. But the org doesn't want that. They don't want peaceful, happy JWs in Russia - they want all the rest of the people in Russia to be exposed to their anti-government teachings.

That is why this letter writing campaign is so so dangerous for the JWs who are living in Russia. This action proves to the Russian authorities that the JWs are a group of people who will unquestioningly follow the commands of leaders outside of Russia. This is very bad. Very bad. Russians do not trust outsiders - hell, they don't even trust their own people. Russia is not a country that will be receptive to outsiders coming in and telling their people how they are supposed to resist the government and that their "worldy/earthly" government is going to be destroyed by god. In a horrible Armageddon scenario. And replaced with a group of men from New York that will reign over Russia and the whole world. They preach world supremacy. World supremacy of their group and their group only.

If there is one action that will prove to the Russian authorities that they are right to be concerned about an anti-government group spreading in Russia, this letter writing campaign will seal the deal.

The GB know exactly what they are doing. The GB are irresponsible. They know that this will make it worse for the JWs, not better.