Is Watchtower letting Ukrainian draftees flap in the wind without legal assistance?

by Balaamsass2 3 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  Balaamsass2

  Is this like the situation in Mexico vs Malawi Ray Franz wrote about in his book "Crisis of Conscience:? Why leave any mention of professed neutrality out of their government filings?

  May 18, 2025, 10:29 a.m.

  Court in Odesa region rules that Jehovah's Witnesses' charter does not prohibit them from fighting

  Цей матеріал також доступний українською

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  Zakharovsky court. Photo: Judiciary

  The Zakhariv District Court of Odesa Region found a resident of the region guilty of evading military service during mobilization and sentenced him to three years in prison.

  As stated in the court' s verdict, the accused did not admit his guilt in committing the crime and provided the following testimony. On July 3, 2024, he voluntarily came to the territorial center for recruitment and social support and on the same day sent a mailed application requesting to replace military service with non-military service and a certificate that he was a clergyman.

  He also said that he had sent a similar application and certificate to the Zatyshany village council. On July 6, 2024, he came to the CCC again and verbally and in writing informed the CCC staff that he was a Jehovah's Witness, as he wanted his deep religious conviction to be taken into account, because obeying God's orders is the meaning of his life. The man was baptized in 2014 and it is not acceptable for him to be a military servant, take an oath, receive a salary and wear a uniform. However, he noted that he wants to be useful to the state and society, but only in a civilian way. He noted that Jehovah's Witnesses meet twice a week. He provides spiritual support, makes speeches, holds meetings, explains and helps believers, and preaches the good news. In view of the above, he asked the court to acquit him.

  However, the judges, who were provided with a copy of the charter of the religious organization "Religious Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Ukraine," decided that none of the provisions of this document specified any prohibitions for members of the said religious organization to carry or use weapons, wear military uniforms, receive military pay, or perform military service in general.

  Кирило Бойко

  Odesa Zakharivka mobilization"

  https://intent.press/en/news/war/2024/in-odesa-a-fugitive-was-sentenced-to-two-years-suspended-instead-of-three/

  
  
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  Anony Mous

  There are many issues:

  The JWorg does not have standing in these countries to defend their own members. For purposes of tax and government funding they have chosen to have their religion represented by a local independent chapter, which for purposes of government benefits they wanted to register.

  Registration with the state and state funding however comes with the requirement you do not oppose the state’s existence such as stating you would not fight for the “hand that feeds” was strategically left out. In Europe, where there is no freedom of religion, it is a privilege the state can deny. JW foolishly thought there would never be another European war before “the end”, their leadership wanted the money.
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  careful

  There are some issues here that need clarification.

  1. The link in English reports on three different cases. One man received a suspended sentence, another, a fine, another, a prison sentence.

  2. The org has approved alternative service, yet the GB has never spelled out publicly just what that means per Witness who may be ordered to report. Indeed, the Ukr.-Russ. War is the first real test case since the org changed its stance on the matter. Yet there has been nothing publicly released in the WTS publications explaining just what this alternative service constitutes in the U-R War. We can glean some bits and pieces from reports like this, but surely like everything else, the good Witnesses will do whatever the GB commands. Yet those directions must be taking place thru the branch committee members as relayed by the COs to the publishers via the local BOE — all hush-hush.
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  Longlivetherenegades

  This is really interesting