A federal appeals court in Boston ruled Monday that a Puerto Rican law intended to keep neighborhoods safe from crime has been used to interfere in the rights of free speech of Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses in Puerto Rico had claimed that laws enacted in 1987 effectively shut down the door to door ministry which the Christian group is well known for. The laws effectively authorized neighborhoods to deny citizens access to public residential streets by erecting walls and gates around them reported Digital Journal last year. According to Primera Hora, the federal court ruled that the law should allow the 318 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Puerto Rico to freely express their faith. Jehovah's Witnesses consider the door to door preaching a commandment of Jesus Christ and cite Matthew 24:14, " And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations", to show their actions are scriptural. Director of the Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Daniel Mach of the ACLU who has hailed the decision, reportedly said: "The Constitution certainly protects the rights of Jehovah's Witnesses to proclaim their faith in public streets, and the government can not impose absolute restrictions on the fundamental right to free religious practice or expression. " The ruling also stated that the government cannot use a claim of safety as a "talisman" to justify restricting the right of freedom of expression and religion said William Ramirez, director of the Puerto Rico chapter of the ACLU.
behemot
JoinedPosts by behemot
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JWs win constitutional challenge in Puerto Rico
by behemot ina federal appeals court in boston ruled monday that a puerto rican law intended to keep neighborhoods safe from crime has been used to interfere in the rights of free speech of jehovah's witnesses.jehovah's witnesses in puerto rico had claimed that laws enacted in 1987 effectively shut down the door to door ministry which the christian group is well known for.
the laws effectively authorized neighborhoods to deny citizens access to public residential streets by erecting walls and gates around them reported digital journal last year.
according to primera hora, the federal court ruled that the law should allow the 318 congregations of jehovah's witnesses in puerto rico to freely express their faith.
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Russia: JW convicted over refusing blood transfusion for her 5 year old son
by behemot inin a first, a court convicted a member of the jehovahs witnesses religious sect over her refusal to sanction blood transfusion for a relative, a procedure banned by the sects teachings, interfax reported wednesday.. natalya podlozhevich was fined 5,000 rubles ($170) by a magistrate of the khanty-mansiisk regions town of kogalym, which found her guilty of abandoning in danger her 5-year-old son.. the unnamed boy was hospitalized last february in serious condition, the cause of which was not specified.
medics said he required blood transfusion, but his mother refused to sanction the procedure.
the boy died two days later.. the ruling may set a precedent for other cases against jehovahs witnesses members on similar charges.. source: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/jehovahs-witness-convicted/430292.html.
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behemot
In a first, a court convicted a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious sect over her refusal to sanction blood transfusion for a relative, a procedure banned by the sect’s teachings, Interfax reported Wednesday.
Natalya Podlozhevich was fined 5,000 rubles ($170) by a magistrate of the Khanty-Mansiisk region’s town of Kogalym, which found her guilty of abandoning in danger her 5-year-old son.
The unnamed boy was hospitalized last February in serious condition, the cause of which was not specified. Medics said he required blood transfusion, but his mother refused to sanction the procedure. The boy died two days later.
The ruling may set a precedent for other cases against Jehovah’s Witnesses’ members on similar charges.
source: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/jehovahs-witness-convicted/430292.html
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A growing up as a JW man jailed for sex crimes in UK
by behemot ina man who committed monstrous sex crimes against two young girls when he was an isolated teenager growing up as a jehovahs witness in bradford has been jailed for two and a half years.. justin leleux, 27, sexually abused the children when he was aged 14 to 17, bradford crown court heard yesterday.. the older girl was about six and the younger child around three years old when he stripped naked to play secret games with them.
leleux, now of kirkcaldy, fife, scotland, pleaded guilty to five offences of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child when he lived in the bradford area in the late 1990s.. married with two sons, he was arrested when the girls, now teenagers, told the police what he had done.. the girls said leleux got into the shower with them and sexually assaulted them in bed.. he told them not to tell their parents and shouted at them if they refused his perverted demands.. the court heard that one girl had since closed down about the abuse while the other was very emotional.. leleuxs barrister, charlotte holland, said he had pleaded guilty and made full admissions.. he had particular difficulties as a teenager and felt excluded and isolated growing up as a jehovahs witness.. miss holland added: this is not an excuse for his monstrous behaviour.. leleux had never been in any trouble since leaving home at 17. miss holland said: his abuse of the trust placed in him has had devastating consequences on the girls and their families.. he doesnt seek anyones pity, he feels disgust for his actions.. judge jonathan durham hall qc said leleux was now a civilised and successful man.. he had led a blameless life since committing the offences.. but he had systematically and repeatedly taken cruel advantage of two vulnerable young girls, leaving them mentally scarred for life.. the judge told leleux: you, i am sorry to say, must go to prison for these crimes.. there has to be a repayment by you and a lesson learned by others.. judge durham hall made a sexual offences prevention order banning leleux from any unsupervised contact with children, except for his own sons.. he must sign on with the police as a sex offender for seven years.. source: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8818146.man_is_jailed_for_abusing_two_girls/.
actual article text end
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behemot
A man who committed “monstrous” sex crimes against two young girls when he was an isolated teenager growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness in Bradford has been jailed for two and a half years.
Justin Leleux, 27, sexually abused the children when he was aged 14 to 17, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.
The older girl was about six and the younger child around three years old when he stripped naked to play “secret games” with them. Leleux, now of Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, pleaded guilty to five offences of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child when he lived in the Bradford area in the late 1990s.
Married with two sons, he was arrested when the girls, now teenagers, told the police what he had done.
The girls said Leleux got into the shower with them and sexually assaulted them in bed.
He told them not to tell their parents and shouted at them if they refused his perverted demands.
The court heard that one girl had since ‘closed down’ about the abuse while the other was very emotional.
Leleux’s barrister, Charlotte Holland, said he had pleaded guilty and made full admissions.
He had particular difficulties as a teenager and felt “excluded and isolated” growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness.
Miss Holland added: “This is not an excuse for his monstrous behaviour.”
Leleux had never been in any trouble since leaving home at 17. Miss Holland said: His abuse of the trust placed in him has had devastating consequences on the girls and their families.
“He doesn’t seek anyone’s pity, he feels disgust for his actions.”
Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said Leleux was now a “civilised and successful man”.
He had led a blameless life since committing the offences.
But he had systematically and repeatedly taken cruel advantage of two vulnerable young girls, leaving them mentally scarred for life.
The judge told Leleux: “You, I am sorry to say, must go to prison for these crimes.
“There has to be a repayment by you and a lesson learned by others.”
Judge Durham Hall made a sexual offences prevention order banning Leleux from any unsupervised contact with children, except for his own sons.
He must sign on with the police as a sex offender for seven years.
source: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8818146.Man_is_jailed_for_abusing_two_girls/
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Celebrating birthday: ground for disfellowshipping?
by behemot ina friend of mine (inactive) is being threatened with a judicial committee because he took his children to schoolmates' birthdays and because he celebrated his wife's birthday.. do you know if celebrating birthday is sufficient ground for setting a judicial committee?.
the ks2010 does not mention birthdays specifically, and i feel like it would be quite a stretch to make it fall under the "apostasy" category (subcategory "celebrating false religion holidays" or "idolatry").. what do you think?.
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behemot
Amelia, ks2010, under "brazen conduct" says that
two elements are involved in brazen conduct: (1) The conduct itself is a serious violation of Jehovah's laws, and (2) the attitude
of the wrongdoer toward God's laws is disrespectful, insolent.As examples of "brazen conduct", the following are given:
Willful, continued, unnecessary assodation with disfellowshipped nonrelatives despite repeated counsel.-
Child sexual abuse: This would include fondling of breasts, an explidtly ¡mmoral proposal, showing pornography to a child, voyeurism, indecent
exposure, and so forth.Continuing to date or pursue a romantic relationship with a person though not legally or Scripturally free to marry, despite repeated
counsel and generally after a warning talk to the congregation.Uhmmm ... I don't see celebrating birthday as falling into this cathegory ...
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Celebrating birthday: ground for disfellowshipping?
by behemot ina friend of mine (inactive) is being threatened with a judicial committee because he took his children to schoolmates' birthdays and because he celebrated his wife's birthday.. do you know if celebrating birthday is sufficient ground for setting a judicial committee?.
the ks2010 does not mention birthdays specifically, and i feel like it would be quite a stretch to make it fall under the "apostasy" category (subcategory "celebrating false religion holidays" or "idolatry").. what do you think?.
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behemot
A friend of mine (inactive) is being threatened with a judicial committee because he took his children to schoolmates' birthdays and because he celebrated his wife's birthday.
Do you know if celebrating birthday is sufficient ground for setting a judicial committee?
The ks2010 does not mention birthdays specifically, and I feel like it would be quite a stretch to make it fall under the "apostasy" category (subcategory "celebrating false religion holidays" or "idolatry").
What do you think?
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Russian court to resume trial of JW leader
by behemot inalexander kalistratov.
files02:37 18/01/2011 reuters/ alexandr tyryshkina court in the siberian town of gorno-altaisk will resume on tuesday hearings in the trial against the leader of a local branch of jehovah's witnesses for circulating extremist materials, the court's spokesman said.alexander kalistratov, 34, has been accused of disseminating banned literature after he shared some of the group's publications with the residents of gorno-altaisk.. according to investigation, kalistratov disseminated books, brochures and magazines, which allegedly "incited religious enmity and hatred," between october 2008 and december 2009.. the trial started in october 2010 with the testimony of witnesses on the side of the prosecution.. the latest court session on december 17 was dedicated to the analysis of 48 religious articles, seized during the investigation, with the help of experts in linguists, philosophy and religious studies.. kalistratov, who faces up to two years in prison if convicted, earlier called charges against him "absurd.".
"i am baffled [with charges].
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behemot
Alexander Kalistratov. Files 02:37 18/01/2011 © REUTERS/ Alexandr Tyryshkin A court in the Siberian town of Gorno-Altaisk will resume on Tuesday hearings in the trial against the leader of a local branch of Jehovah's Witnesses for circulating extremist materials, the court's spokesman said. Alexander Kalistratov, 34, has been accused of disseminating banned literature after he shared some of the group's publications with the residents of Gorno-Altaisk.
According to investigation, Kalistratov disseminated books, brochures and magazines, which allegedly "incited religious enmity and hatred," between October 2008 and December 2009.
The trial started in October 2010 with the testimony of witnesses on the side of the prosecution.
The latest court session on December 17 was dedicated to the analysis of 48 religious articles, seized during the investigation, with the help of experts in linguists, philosophy and religious studies.
Kalistratov, who faces up to two years in prison if convicted, earlier called charges against him "absurd."
"I am baffled [with charges]. Judging by accusations, I have forgotten about Christian principles, I hate people and want to incite hatred among people. But it is contrary to my Christian beliefs based on love to one's neighbor," Kalistratov told RIA Novosti.
The Jehovah's Witnesses, which has some seven million followers worldwide and over 200,000 in Russia, have already been banned in a number of Russian regions and in some former Soviet republics.
In June similar charges were laid against the group in the southwestern Siberian city of Omsk.
Late last year the Russian Supreme Court's judicial chamber for civil cases upheld a regional court ruling to ban the organization's branch in the southern Russian city of Taganrog.
The Jehovah's Witnesses branch in the Russian capital was dissolved by district court ruling in 2004, but the European Court of Human Rights declared the decision illegal last June.
NOVOSIBIRSK, January 18 (RIA Novosti)
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Suicide : John Wischuck
by torre inin 1990 john wischuck one of the heavyweights (member of the factory committee)at brooklyn hq committed suicide jumping from the window of his room down to the ground) this episode passed unnoticed for most of the jw all around the world.
a few weeks later that year, max larson was visiting the branch in spain and he didnt mention anything at all of the dead.
only good news and how jw were succeeding and all that kind of rubbish.
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behemot
John Wischuck is alive and kicking: he is quoted as "assignment editor" of the Watchtower in this article on NYRM:
http://nyrm.org/2010/05/13/the-most-widely-read-magazine-in-the-world/
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Suicide : John Wischuck
by torre inin 1990 john wischuck one of the heavyweights (member of the factory committee)at brooklyn hq committed suicide jumping from the window of his room down to the ground) this episode passed unnoticed for most of the jw all around the world.
a few weeks later that year, max larson was visiting the branch in spain and he didnt mention anything at all of the dead.
only good news and how jw were succeeding and all that kind of rubbish.
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behemot
It was not John Wischuck, but Richard Wheelock.
See here:
http://governingbodyletters.blogspot.com/2008/05/richard-wheelock-committed-suicide-at.html
Behemot
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Jewish Rabbi: 'Gentile sperm leads to barbaric offspring'
by behemot inrabbi dov lior says jewish law prohibits sterile couples from conceiving using non-jew's sperm, as it causes adverse traits.
on subject of single mothers he says, 'child cannot be 100% normal'.
rabbi dov lior, a senior authority on jewish law in the religious zionism movement, asserted recently that a jewish woman should never get pregnant using sperm donated by a non-jewish man even if it is the last option available.
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behemot
Leolaia,
do you refer to this rule?
"As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1". (Godwin's Law)
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Jewish Rabbi: 'Gentile sperm leads to barbaric offspring'
by behemot inrabbi dov lior says jewish law prohibits sterile couples from conceiving using non-jew's sperm, as it causes adverse traits.
on subject of single mothers he says, 'child cannot be 100% normal'.
rabbi dov lior, a senior authority on jewish law in the religious zionism movement, asserted recently that a jewish woman should never get pregnant using sperm donated by a non-jewish man even if it is the last option available.
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behemot
sorry, for some reason I can't post the entire article.
Read it here:
Alexander Kalistratov. Files 02:37 18/01/2011 © REUTERS/ Alexandr Tyryshkin A court in the Siberian town of Gorno-Altaisk will resume on Tuesday hearings in the trial against the leader of a local branch of Jehovah's Witnesses for circulating extremist materials, the court's spokesman said.