Russian Government Seeks To Ban Jehovah’s Witnesses – Experts Call Government Action Absurd
Russian Government Claims JW.ORG Publication Promote Hate & Violence
The Russian Government has decided to take on the God Jehovah and has launched a bid to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.
The Government has been engaged in a three-day legal battle with the Russian branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses claiming that the group engages and promote extremist activities in the country.
Russia’s Ministry of Justice says it is seeking “to declare the religious organization, the Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses, extremist, ban its activity, and liquidate it.”
Russian Government Claims JW.ORG Publication Promote Hate & Violence
Mark Sanderson, who is a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses and present at the hearing, stated: “It is disconcerting that the Supreme Court dismissed or denied most motions filed by the Administrative Center.”
“Representatives of many embassies and human rights organizations were present for this hearing. The world is watching.”
Many have condemned the Russian Government’s moves to ban the organisation. Heiner Bielefeldt, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, said: “If Jehovah’s Witnesses are extremist, I think we all are.”
Mass persecution inevitable if #Russia bans #JehovahsWitnesses as ‘extremist’https://t.co/etgCwbqFyN #ReligiousFreedom pic.twitter.com/NkK0c9c9aJ
— Halya Coynash (@halyapuff) April 5, 2017
Sociologist and Former Representative of the OSCE on Combating Racism, Xenophobia, Discrimination Dr. Massimo Introvigne commented: “The only relationship between Jehovah’s Witnesses and violence is that they have been victims of violence.”
Russia banning Jehovah’s Witnesses makes as much sense as the USA banning the Amish. #stopJWban #jwRussia #jw #jehovahswitnesses #jwban
— Robert Angle (@dismalbliss) April 5, 2017
Rachel Denber Deputy Director of European Human Rights Watch has said that there is no legitimate grounds to say that the literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses is extremism, she also stated that it is absurd to say the organistation is spreading hate or encouraging violence.
In response to the threat of the ban and legal action over 8,000,000 Witnesses worldwide participated in a letter writing campaign appealing directly to the Kremlin and Supreme Court officials for relief.
“The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses wants to heighten attention to this critical situation,” states David A. Semonian, a spokesman at the Witnesses’ world headquarters. “Prosecuting non-violent, law-abiding citizens as if they were terrorists is clearly a misapplication of anti-extremist laws. Such prosecution is based on completely false grounds.”
There are more than 170,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia and have over 2,300 congregations.
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Jehovah’s witnesses have been around for years with no reports of violence started by them…they are law abiding citizens stepping on no ones toes except for those seeking to start trouble….rethink your thoughts and words RUSSIA
I have been a witness for almost fifty years. We only promote peace and love for our God Jehovah and His dear son Jesus Christ. We love our neighbors and would never take up arms against anyone. We encourage bible study which when applied makes real changes in our lives. My love and prayers are for all our dear brothers and sisters . Lift up your heads Jehovah is near.
The information mentioned regarding the Jehovah’s Witnesses is wrong – they are peace making people. and JW.ORG is apparently authentic. Please – Russia – you need to think on it they worship Jehovah as their GOD.
If Russia ends up banning Jehovah Witnesses, their “legal case” and court judgement is similar to the “legal case” and court judgment Jesus Christmas received in the past. He was already convicted before his court judgment. If this is the case in Russia against JW, the real motives should be searched for in the “back office” of the orthodox church in Russia. They are “pulling the steings” in the back stage. Aren’t they?
Our prayers are with our brothers and sisters in Russia. #Religiousfreedom
It’s a paradox that an organization that encourages it’s members never to touch arms even for self defense be faced with this kind of suit. Look for criminals out there not peace-loving Jehovah’s witnesses.
A paradox indeed…..Article 28 of the Russian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all Russian citizens. Président Putin is sworn under oath to uphold the Russian people’s rights outlined in this charter.
Therefore, shouldn’t he and the Minstry of Justice be the ones charged with breaking the law for their illegal and inhumane treatment of this peaceful and nonviolent group of Christians?
Absurd and ridiculous are the two words I have heard the most frequently used to describe the accusations and persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.
May sanity prevail so the Russian government STOP’s this attack on this innocent group of its citizens.
Anyone who takes a stand against Jehovah’s people is poking a finger in Jehovah’s eyeball ACTS 5:39 should be taken seriously when it states ” But if its from God , you will not be able to overthrow them . Otherwise , YOU may even be found FIGHTERS AGAINST GOD HIMSELF ! ” These words were spoken after the early Christians were being persecuted by the governments in their day …..
The whole issue baffles me. But the headline of the news item is very true.
Why are the nations agitatedAnd the peoples muttering an empty thing? The kings of the earth take their standAnd high officials gather together as oneAgainst Jehovah and against his anointed one. They say: “Let us tear off their shacklesAnd throw off their ropes!” The One enthroned in the heavens will laugh;Jehovah will scoff at them. At that time he will speak to them in his angerAnd terrify them in his burning anger, psalm 2:1-5
The whole issue baffles me. But the headline of the news item is very true.
Why are the nations agitated And the peoples muttering an empty thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And high officials gather together as one Against Jehovah and against his anointed one. They say: “Let us tear off their shacklesAnd throw off their ropes!” The One enthroned in the heavens will laugh;Jehovah will scoff at them. At that time he will speak to them in his anger And terrify them in his burning anger, psalm 2:1-5
It was well documented that in the early Christian congregation, up until Christianity became apostatized in the 4th Century, that is a military person
became a Christian, they could no longer serve in the military….the same today…I know several JW’s who were police officers, who, had to either take a firearms free, position on their respective departments, OR find a different job, before baptism. My daughter who wished to be baptized,
works at a USAF air base, and had to take a lesser paying job, that did not directly support the aircraft, she was a crew chief. She took the janitor
job, cleaning bathrooms, etc, so she could be baptized. Due to the non-violent stand, based on Bible teachings, how in the world can anyone
claim that JW’s are extremist, promoting violence and etc.???
Methinks there is a “puppet master” behind the scenes, in the form of the Russian Orthodox Church and others, pulling the “strings” of the Russian Government, to “frame trouble by decree” (1984 NWT Bible) Psalms 94:20….
The JW’s have a LONG record of Christian neutrality, when it comes to getting involved in the political affairs of world governments, so this
whole banning, stuff, based on the accusations by the Russian government, makes no sense otherwise. Look deeper, behind the scenes
and you find Satan and his minions (ie: other religions) causing the most of this blatant, outright persecution of these Christians.