One Jehovah’s Witness acquitted in Russia as others get months of restrictions

[Isabella]

(RNS) — A day after a Jehovah’s Witness became the first to be acquitted in Russia since a 2017 ruling declared his faith group “extremist,” six Russian members received suspended sentences for gathering for worship.

The developments come a week after dozens of scholars from across the globe called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The pacifist faith organization said six men and women were given suspended sentences ranging from 2 ½ to four years; in addition, they were given orders of “restricted freedom” from seven to 10 months in a court in the western city of Ulyanovsk. Freedom restrictions can include limitations on where they can travel and with whom they can associate.

“We are pleased that they were not imprisoned, yet it remains a gross injustice for them to be convicted simply for their peaceful Christian worship,” said Jarrod Lopes, spokesman for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, in a Thursday (Oct. 😎 statement.

https://religionnews.com/2020/10/08/one-jehovahs-witness-acquitted-russia-others-get-months-restrictions/

[Srecko Sostar]

from link you put:

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom held a virtual hearing in September on religious liberty in Russia and Central Asia. Several participants, including Emily B. Baran, a history professor at Middle Tennessee State University, cited persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.

“Russia cannot be said to have full religious freedom, a cornerstone of a democratic society, as long as Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot practice their faith within its borders,” she said in written testimony.

Can somebody please explain; what is and how looks like the "Full Religious Freedom" ? 

[Anna]

1 hour ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Can somebody please explain; what is and how looks like the "Full Religious Freedom" ? 

I think I know what you are insinuating. You might be thinking that the term is too loosely based. What if for example one religion's faith tells them to kill the infidel? In that case, obviously, that kind of religious freedom is dangerous. However, we know what kind of religious freedom Ms. Baran is talking about. She would be referring to religious freedom that does not violate human rights, or takes another persons life. This kind of religious freedom has existed in America since the First Amendment, and seems to be working just fine. Also, she is saying that although Russia supposedly has religious freedom, that can't be true if a peaceful religion such as JWs are banned.

[Srecko Sostar]

9 hours ago, Anna said:

First Amendment

First Amendment Annotated

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/

Can the question be asked: Is criticism of religion and pointing out the questionability of its dogmas the right of every believer in the US? or elsewhere? Or is it "hate speech"? When victims of abuse protest in front of a religious institution and seek answers and change is it reprehensible?

Why does the representative of the WT, who represents the only true religion that represents The Truth, not want to answer the question but refer to the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution?

9 hours ago, Anna said:

She would be referring to religious freedom that does not violate human rights, or takes another persons life.

JW "religious freedom" speaking about how all people who do not accept JW "Truth" are part of "God's enemies" and belong to "satan' world", and deserved to be destroyed. And how all JW's who left "organization" are mentally diseased", "despicable apostates", "bad society" and similar expressions, must be  "shunned" and will be destroyed because they are even worse than "worldly people". Is this sort of "free speech" also inside "full religious freedom"?

WT and JW members read text of Bible and they took the right to produce "judgement" on people in the name of God. Just like many believers before them, in various religions. 

Please be realistic. What would the future of people in the "New World", who would not accept JW learning, look like?

[Srecko Sostar]

3) We do not lobby, vote in political elections, run for government office, or try to change governments. …Otherwise, how could we have a clean conscience when we preach the good news that only God’s Kingdom can solve mankind’s problems? source: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2016288#h=36

 

lobby verb [ I or T ]  UK  /ˈlɒb.i/ US  /ˈlɑː.bi/

C2 to try to persuade a politician, the government, or an official group that a particular thing should or should not happen, or that a law should be changed:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/lobby

 

Recent example how WT Company and JW members participated in "lobbying" was writing letters to Russian Government and their politicians. 

- https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/topic/70001-is-writing-letters-to-the-russian-authorities-lobbying-or-preaching/

 

[Anna]

18 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

JW "religious freedom" speaking about how all people who do not accept JW "Truth" are part of "God's enemies" and belong to "satan' world", and deserved to be destroyed. And how all JW's who left "organization" are mentally diseased", "despicable apostates", "bad society" and similar expressions, must be  "shunned" and will be destroyed because they are even worse than "worldly people". Is this sort of "free speech" also inside "full religious freedom"?

WT and JW members read text of Bible and they took the right to produce "judgement" on people in the name of God. Just like many believers before them, in various religions. 

Please be realistic. What would the future of people in the "New World", who would not accept JW learning, look like?

There are many scriptures that clearly show that not all people will be saved, and what to do to be saved. It also talks clearly about shunning. I won't go into specific details, because you already know them. Of course no man can judge another person, that will ultimately be God. But that doesn't mean JWs can't decide who is approved to become a JW or who no longer qualifies to be JW. No one else but JWs can make that decision, I mean no government will make, or interfere with the decision or constitution of a religion.. And that's part of what religious freedom means. 

What God ultimately decides, is, ..well...up to God.