Evacuated

It says: "The court called in five experts to examine the literature of the Jehovah's Witnesses".......and that was brfore dismissing the case!!! How many experts does it take to identify extremism?????

I agree that this distinction is vital in understanding the Russian position in this matter. I would also suggest that confusion around understanding the application of this term is not limited to any particular group Here's one of our standard definition for extremism: the holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism. That already, (pardon the pun) seems a bit extreme in that it limits the position to political or religious views, and by introducing the term fanaticism, immediately evokes negativity in most minds. In fact, due to the actions of highly publicised and commented on groups, such as ISIS or Al-Qaeda in recent times, a very narrow and negative association with the term is now common in the popular perception. I found this alternative definition by Drs. P Coleman and A Bartoli more rational: "Most simply, it [extremism] can be defined as activities (beliefs, attitudes, feelings, actions, strategies) of a character far removed from the ordinary." They add this caveat: "However, the labeling of activities, people, and groups as “extremist”, and the defining of what is “ordinary” in any setting is always a subjective and political matter." (Interesting White Paper attached). Certainly, what is viewed as "ordinary" from a Scriptural standpoint by Jehovah's Witnesses will differ greatly from what is considered to be so by others outside of the faith, and not the least by those who, in Biblical parlance, are termed "the superior authorities". (Rom.13:1). @JWInsider, I am looking forward to the comments from the Russian brother you mention if you are able to share. 9386_WhitePaper_2_Extremism_030809.pdf

Good observation by the US state department that this action aids and abets the development of "extremism". So in falsley accusing and convicting Jehovah's Witnesses, they break the very same laws they accuse Jehovah's Witnesses of violating!

Pleasure!

Russian Supreme Court Renders Unjust Decision! Special Report now available on JW Broadcasting. https://tv.jw.org/#en/video/VODOurOrganization/pub-jwb_201704_12_VIDEO

Now, Now! Don't be cynical!

@David Normand said: "really thought by some of the questions that the Justices asked that they would have dealt with us in an even handed manner." Sounds like a decision already made. Sad day for Russia. But............Jehovah and Jesus know what they are doing even if we are not always sure. This issue has resulted in massive media interest worldwide, and comment from all sorts of people, some in very high places. How long would we have taken to accomplish the same? And how much more with the appeal now? Reminds me of Paul when imprisoned in Rome. "my prison bonds for the sake of Christ have become public knowledge among all the Prae·toʹri·an Guard and all the rest. Now most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence because of my prison bonds, and they are showing all the more courage to speak the word of God fearlessly." Ph.1:13-14

Maybe was: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39646591

"Scientists and religious scholars team up to try and find living descendents of Jesus" Sounds like the newspaper has added the descendant bit. Anyway, I hope the Scientists and religious scholars are funding it themselves!

Only 21 here?? Or are the rest stacked behind?

Because there isn't any. If they submit fabricated evidence for scrutiny, they will have a problem. Let's hope there is more justice in the Supreme Court than in the Ministry of. I find it ironic that even some posters on this site seem to see evidence of extremism that the Russian lawyers cannot!

Anything can turn peoples interest if Jehovah's wants it and if they have an enquiring mind. I met a woman once who said she came to the Circuit Assembly because her neighbour had been disfellowshipped. I was puzzled and asked her how so? She said because the neighbour had started behaving so badly since leaving Jehovah's Witnesses, she had to come and see why they had been so much better before. One of the first pieces of information I ever read on Jehovah's Witnesses was a trash UK newspaper article on Jehovah's Witnesses being crazy for not celebrating Christmas, birthdays etc. This just made me curious because I wondered how they had the guts to do it with so much bad publicity.

Interesting....Probably all sorts of things in the mix, but actually............. "God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, yes, to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished..........why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong" Rev 1717; 18:8. And also: "And out of his mouth protrudes a sharp, long sword with which to strike the nations, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. Moreover, he treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his outer garment, yes, on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords" Rev 1915-16. Meanwhile, we have work to do along with those "who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness concerning Jesus." Rev12:17.

You know it's not worth reading an article which has this in the first paragraph on doctorine: "Jehovah’s Witnesses reject most Christian dogmas, such as creation of the world,"More:http://tass.com/world/939582.......... No Thanks!!

As they have stated themselves recently. In discussing the functioning of the Governing Body, the February 2017 study issue WT says:: "And each member of that body views himself, not as the leader of his fellow brothers, but as one of the “domestics,” fed by the faithful slave and subject to its oversight." P29 para 11.

Oh yes I have!!

We could spend a great deal of time speculating on scenarios on how we will (if we are there) survive the GT as you term it and what role the FDS will play in leading us during that time. And yet you have highlighted the most important aspect already in saying "if we ARE loyal, and approved by Jehovah..." In the light of Habbakuk's words at Hab.3:16-17, we need to be prepared for any eventuality during the "great tribulation" that will exceed all others in history. In the 1984 NWT, the rendering of verse 17, in connection with the "day of distress" (v16), contained the phrase "[the] flock may actually be severed from [the] pen.." What does that suggest as a possibility? And yet the WT 15/7/1977 stated in commenting on that verse "And never allow your vision to become dim as regards angelic backing of those holding to their dedication to Jehovah". Habbakuk goes on to exemplify what our resolve should be in verse 18: "Yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation" and indicates Jehovah's response in v19: "The Sovereign Lord Jehovah is my strength; He will make my feet like those of a deer and cause me to tread on high places." I agree with your statement that we now need to maintain our loyalty, along with Jehovah's approval. And the FDS has had no meagre role in assisting and encouraging us to do this successfully so far. So there is no need to fear that this will cease, or that somehow, the loyalty and approval by Jehovah that we now experience (if genuine) should some how wear off if we find ourselves seemingly "severed from the pen". This regardless of where the anointed are located say, during the time of Gog's attack. And neither is there any doubt that Jehovah can and will provide the means for His people to escape at that time, because "Jehovah knows how to rescue people of godly devotion out of trial" 2Pet.2:9.

Do you think a little more detail in writing would be prudent in case you are not conscious????

Yeah...Let's go Russian Ministry of Justice on 'em all!!! (No offence to fair-minded people within the Russian Federation intended)

Don't you see all these suggestions of sinister, mind-control techniques practised by clandestine Jehovah's Witnesses as a sophisticated version of Gen 3:1-5? And couldn't we apply the principles of control as described on http://changingminds.org pages to just about any social group to a greater or lesser degree? Just substitute their experiences and relevant characteristics for those of terrorists in the way in @AnnOMaly has done with Jehovah's Witnesses. (maybe an excercise for one of the wits among us to apply it to the Women's Institute, or the Woodcraft Folk). It looks like it's actually a description of the way humans behave in groups. It seems to me that nobody really understands why Jehovah's Witnesses do what they do unless they actually are active and happy Witnesses.

Actually the focus on this sister was really your contribution (admittedly early on) to a discussion generated by an original post about a number of people claiming "total control" whilst being members of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. So it isn't really going off topic, yet. I appreciate your concern regarding what you see as a dangerous line of reasoning however, but remember this is a public forum. We are all at liberty to stay clear of discussions that we feel stray across our personal boundaries for consideration.

Numbers 12:1,10

Only happens in LaLa Land.

Hardly, otherwise there would be no activity in the preaching work and related matters. Sensational though these snippets of information may appear to be, as presented here, they only seem to serve to reinforce evidence that the Society is following Jesus' direction recorded at Luke 16:9. It seems to me that, in this matter the principle of Rom 14:14 applies, and that Paul's words at Romans 14:4 are appropriate (as they are for us all): "Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand".

Matt.24:34,40 is also applicable, and even Rom.10:13. As for the exact logistics of how exactly this will occur, I'll (hopefully) discuss it with you a little later.