Threatened with an imminent ban on their worship in Russia, Jehovah’s Witnesses are responding with a direct appeal to Kremlin and Supreme Court officials for relief through a global letter-writing campaign.
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is inviting the over 8,000,000 Witnesses worldwide to participate.
On March 15, 2017, Russia’s Ministry of Justice filed a claim with the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to label the Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia as extremist and liquidate it. The claim also seeks to ban the activities of the Administrative Center. If the Supreme Court upholds this claim, the Witnesses’ national headquarters near St. Petersburg will be shut down. Subsequently, some 400 registered Local Religious Organizations would be liquidated, outlawing the services of over 2,300 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.
The branch property, as well as places of worship used by Witnesses throughout the country, could be seized by the State. Additionally, individual Jehovah’s Witnesses would become subject to criminal prosecution for merely carrying out their worship activities. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the claim on April 5.
“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.”
The Witnesses’ global campaign is not without precedent. Nearly 20 years ago, Witnesses wrote to defend their fellow worshippers in Russia in response to a smear campaign by some members of the government in power at the time. Additionally, Witnesses have initiated past letter-writing campaigns to motivate government officials to end persecution of Witnesses in other countries, including Jordan, Korea, and Malawi.
“Reading the Bible, singing, and praying with fellow worshippers is clearly not criminal,” adds Mr. Semonian.
“We hope that our global letter-writing campaign will motivate Russian officials to stop this unjustifiable action against our fellow worshippers.”
Source: jw.org
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Indeed,the ruler of the world causing people to flea from the truth,for the Bible says 2 Cor4: 3 If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.Many refuse to even read our publications or talk to us yet they say all sort bad things about us. Honest hearted one who read our book knows that ,jw teaches that prayer is part of our worship to God,our salvation is made possible by God through jesus's death so this year,(as done every year) we meet to commemorate this death as He instructed-Luke 22:19,20. Because we are followers of Christ we are not part of the world(John 17:14-16;18:36)so the world hate us( mat 24:9)
how can any sane person label this people extremist, whose belief doesn't even allow them to own a gun, doesn't like politics at all?
I will always love Jehovah God,irrespective of what might happen.....love my worldwide brothers
jwitty, fake religious practitioners i just wish u are a true religious believer if not u wouldn't be saying dis.... try and read ur bible for the end is near...
they condemn all other Christians yet they are very mean except you belong to them, very soon GH will surely own them out too. calling other Christians worldly people with their hypocrisy! I d.i.s.p.i.s.e them rough
Witnesses are also humans and must have their freedom of worship worldwide. I don't support this partially by the Russian authorities. If is a collaboration then the whole world should kick against it. Everyone has their beliefs so let's not condemned them. Respect is the key.
WHOEVER TALKS AGAINST JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES MAKE A PROPHECY COME TRUE BECAUSE IT IS CLEARY STATED AT MARK 6:3, LUKE 4:28,29, ACT 14:19, EPHISSIANS 6:11,12 MATTEW 23:34,35 ETC. BUT I MUST SAY SOME PEOPLE WILL PUT THEIR TWO HANDS ON THEIR HEADS AND CRY WHEN HARMAGEDDON COMES BUT IT WILL BE TOO LATE. WE ARE NOT SURPRISE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES. WE KNEW THOSE THINGS WOULD HAPPEN AT THE END TIMES.
The Jehovah's Witnesses Organization should be honest with its members by candidly telling them why President Vladimir Putin is accusing them of extremism. I know the truth and can testify about the truth, so what is the truth in this matter? The Organization knows the truth and knows what I am talking about. Be honest with the truth.
Ooooh I see.u strongly support this move rite?So we are now in a world where one cannot exercise his or her religious rite.Everyone is entitled to his or her faith.But pls you need to be circumspect I've of da choice of words you use ok.God should even forgive you for calling a religion antichrist movement.
Who told u we don't pray? We pray papa. If u want to check for yourself attend any of our meetings in your neighborhood. Don't just say something u don't know