Moscow's final ban on Jehovah's Witnesses!

by Joker10 50 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  run dont walk

  I wonder if they will ask the United Nations to help them on this case ???

  Now wouldn't that be ironic.
• 

  Farkel

  : The ruling arose from a Russian law that allows courts to ban religious groups that are considered to be inciting hatred or intolerant behavior.

  Who can argue against that statement?

  Hooooooray for Russia!

  Farkel
• 

  observador

  I don't quite agree with those who say that JWs will/may grow stronger with this ban. I think today's world is different, information readly available. This ban has the potential to trigger the curiosity out of those trapped in, about what is really the reason for the ban.

  When I was a JW I thought there was little opportunities for discussion about religious issues. This ban will surely cause discussions among JWs and, hopefully, put their critical/analytical thinking to work.

  Observador
• 

  Miss_MG

  I think a few study magazines should be sent to the right people about how they view the govenment
• 

  Flip

  I suspect it?s quite difficult for a government to peacefully ban the thoughts and beliefs of anyone.

  However, banning a quantifiable ?business? of religion, now that?s another thing.

  I suspect the government backed Russian Orthodox Church?s financial officers weren?t all that pleased with having to compete with an American based, religious publications money making machine, particularly on Russian turf.

  Perhaps this episode has more to do with American economic opportunity and a display of Russian financial sovereignty between cosmic name-droppers, than any professed concern for humanity relative to the state of either marketed dogma.

  Now, if Corporate Jehovah could swing a deal, and make it financially worthwhile for both sides, perhaps it could be business as usual, going forward.
• 

  uriah

  The Witnesses will squeal and feel persecuted. This will give a greater sense of camaradrie - who knows, maybe ill and old witnesses may get 'shepherding visits' now. Of course, the field ministry will become more fun as they scurry to doors and drop leaflets through before running away. Meetings will be smaller and less formal - probably the midweek groups only. You will get the 'bunker' mentality whereby anyone other than those in the group will be the enemy. You can see this in any JW community. Just think. How many people outside your own midweek group did you really know or see except at KH meetings. it will be a fun time for them as they go around feeling 'persecuted', as their leaders spew out 'We are deep, very deep into the end brothers'. They will love it despite all the bunkum to the contrary - except the bean counters at Brooklyn. Can you hear the yipeee's from the young dubs - 'no more FM - right on'
• 

  bull01lay

  I'm not sure if it's a good thing....

  quotes from Scostman and Satans little helper:

  There's nothing like a bit of oppression to make the Witnesses even more sure that they're right

  gives the JW's not only martyrdom but they will use it as prophetic

  While it will make it difficult to get more recruits in Russia, IMO it will increase the strength of the grip they have on those already in, in other countries - remember "the Harlot will be thrown down and devoured by the wild beast, then when they turn on Gods people (whom they presume to be themselves), It will be like touching Gods eyeball!!"

  ....it will look very prophetic indeed to the indoctrinated masses

  Bull!
• 

  blondie

  The WTS has another level of authority to go to:

  Speaking to Forum 18 outside the courtroom on 16 June, Jehovah's Witnesses lawyer John Burns said that the European Court would now consider whether the ruling violates the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Russia is a signatory. During the appeal hearing, Burns argued that the ban clearly breaches the Convention's specific guarantees of religious freedom, freedom of association and non-discrimination on religious grounds. Should the European Court indeed find the Moscow Court in violation of the Convention, Burns told Forum 18, Russia will be obliged to reverse the ban on the Jehovah's Witness community or else face penalties ranging from a minimum fine of several thousand Euros to expulsion from the Council of Europe, "although that is not very likely."

  The WTS has appealed to this court before to deal with opposition in Greece and the WTS was upheld.

  http://www.hri.org/docs/ECHR50.html

  http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/005.htm

  ARTICLE 9
  	FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, CONSCIENCE AND RELIGION
  	1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
  	2. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

  I heartily second jgnat's comment:

  I, for one, am not happy about this. This kind of brutal enforcement is not the way to stop the WTBTS. I don't want to repeat the errors of the past, so I keep in mind what Pastor Niemoller said: :

  "First they came for the Communists but I was not a Communist - so I said nothing. Then they came for the Social Democrats, but I was not a Social Democrat - so I did nothing. Then came the trade unionists, but I was not a trade unionist. And then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew - so I did little. Then when they came for me, there was no one left who could stand up for me."

  http://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/pa09/europetrip/brussels/neimoller.htm

  I prefer Big Tex's approach. Treat them as insignificant. And what Elsewhere says, ignore them.
• 

  Undaunted Danny

  Haughty hacks get the facts Game over:::: http://www.bombsinsidewtc.dk/wt-trial/thebook.htm gotta luv it,undaunted danny www.DannyHaszard.com
• 

  scotsman

  As I suspected, in discussing this with dubya family members, it reconfirms their faith. There have already been verbal reports of witnesses in Moscow being fired from their jobs. I would suggest it's worth looking at other freedoms that have been lost in Russia recently, specifically within the media. If you think this ban is bcause of enlightened thinking by the Russian courts, I would disagree.

  On the bright side I was able to compare the treatment of JWs and homosexuals in Russia, much to my family's irritation.