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Will Jehovah’s Witnesses be banned in Russia?
Published: 13 July, 2009, 08:56
Edited: 11 August, 2010, 05:43
Jehovah’s Witnesses, known for their doomsday prophecies, are seen as an extremist cult by the Russian authorities. Banned in many countries, their activities could soon become illegal in Russia as well.
Since appearing in Russia in the early 1990s, Jehovah’s Witnesses have rapidly gained popularity. The organization says they have 200,000 members in the country, but they could soon be classed as criminals.
A high-profile case five years ago branded Jehovah’s Witnesses “an extremist organization” that incites religious hatred and breaks up families.
They were stripped of their Moscow registration, yet even though Jehovah’s Witnesses were able to re-register, authorities have issued over forty official warnings to them in the last three years.
Their faith doesn’t allow them to receive blood transfusions, and several have been tried for denying them to their children. Most notably last year, doctors in Russia’s far eastern city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky had to appeal to court to get permission for a blood transfusion for a six-year-old girl after she suffered serious head trauma. The court ruled in their favor and the doctors managed to save the child.
Some of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been imprisoned for refusing to do their compulsory military service.
Critics of the group warn that the people they recruit into their community end up being brainwashed.
Oleg Zakharenkov’s wife changed completely after becoming a Jehovah's Witness.
“She became isolated. She began to disappear for days and give them all my money,” says Oleg.
Jehovah's Witnesses were founded in the US in the late 19th century. There are over seven million regular followers worldwide.
They say their unusual beliefs – such as refusing to vote or serve on juries – don't make them a dangerous cult:
“Our poor image comes from those in the media and the authorities who have no knowledge about us. When people meet us, they realize what good we do for society,” said Aleksandr Valevich.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are banned in China, parts of Africa and some former Soviet republics. As for Russia, some say it will be difficult to prove their guilt.
“Personally, I think Jehovah’s witnesses combine the worst features of an international corporation that exploits its own members, and a totalitarian state. But it’s hard to prove what current law they are breaking,” theologist Father Mikhail Plotnikov told RT.
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Banning or outlawing the JW's will work; but it is only one measure. Raising the wealth and educational level of all people is another. In the West JW's are in decline, as are other cults.
Having thorough information on a free encyclopedia like wikipedia is important to help people steer away from these cults. If a JW approaches someone in Europe for example you take your I-phone, type in the words "ex-Jehovah's Witnesses", and you have all the information you need to say: "no." It's that easy. No cult can survive being listed on wikipedia.
First of all, I must ask: How does the Russian Gov't define "extremist"? Then there's the question of how a law abiding group of people who encourage respect for authority, paying taxes, and obedience to civil law can be considered a threat? On the other hand, by the inaccurate and snide comments made through the media, it is clear that the Orthodox Clergy, in an act of pathetic insecurity seek to malign Jehovah's Witnesses due to the fact that what the witnesses preach can be substantiated in the Bible. Also, if the Russian gov't as influenced by the Orthodox Church claims to be Christian, the proof would be in acting as Christ did. As for the refusal of blood transfusions, 1) The right of an individual to decide his or her medical treatment is fundamental. 2) Isn't the encouraged shedding of blood on behalf of an power hungry "Orthodox" Church and beastly regime far more extremist? And far worse a crime than merely standing for a belief that is clearly spelled out in the Bible?
There are some great history works on the JW's. Jw's and the 3rd Reich by James Penton. 2 books by Edmond C Gruss: 1 the four presidentd of the Watchtower society, 2 The doctrinal changes of Jehovahs Witnesses.
The only reason why some people still believe in JW is because they are forbidden, by penalty of excommunication or shunning, to look at any critical book on their beloved "organization." They are not allowed to read any attack on JW's because they have been told by the Watchtower to "expose false (other) religions."
Here are some facts why I left the JW's:
* they see the UN as a dangerous entity and want the ordinary JW to stay away from politics and the UN in particular, because it is supposedly going to destroy religion. Yet until 2001 their organization was registered as an NGO with the UNO.
* Their members are not allowed to support the militaty establishment, yet until 2002 the Watchtower Society held 50% of the shares of the Rand Cam corporation.
* It orders its members to live a simple relatively poor life, yet the WTS is spotted on meetings with hedge funds.
My reaction? It reminds me of the words of Paul: You then, who teach others, why do you not teach yourself?