bruceq

I will concede that counting time has some drawbacks. It leads to notions of being 'on duty' or 'off duty,' even though we are encouraged not to be that way. I suspect evening witnessing is eschewed by pioneers in favor of less-productive daytime witnessing largely because they can get more time with the latter. That's not the only reason, but it is probably among them.
Videos are changing the nature of reporting, as are the contact cards, which I use as a businessman uses his cards. "Everyone has a cause," I will say, "and this is mine," followed by perhaps an observation of the 900 languages and how, for that reason alone, they ought to check it out. Or something else. There is no way I am going to keep track of cards, and at the end of the month, I give a ballpark figure.
increasingly, I do something like that for hours, too. I enjoy evening witnessing. Those hours, IMO, are 'better,' though fewer. What with using cards and even the videos on devices spontaneously, how can one keep track of that time-wise? I don't attempt it. Ballpark suffices. And don't get me going on internet writing. I count none of it, until Bethel is more enthused about it. It's just a personal choice. Some probably do, though I think going online solely to witness is extremely ineffective. Ones who do it, from what I have seen, end up merely talking to each other or arguing with opposers.
Perhaps if we were going to track anything, it might be people talked to, not hours.  Or choose one or the other depending upon the nature of one's territory.  But this could also lead to manufactured situations. 
No matter. The main idea is that the preaching work ought to get done, and nobody is doing that other than Jehovah's Witnesses. Few know the Bible well enough to do it if they wanted to. I'll stick with the people spearheading this work and I'll leave it to them how or to what extent they want to keep track of it.
 

You are not approved to give any interpretation or guidance to anyone. Sorry.
Also someone does not need to quote from an apostate to promote the teachings of Christendom - which is apostate !!!
"They publicly declare that they know God, but they disown him by their works,  because they are detestable and disobedient and NOT APPROVED FOR GOOD WORK OF ANY SORT."  Titus 1:16.
This is not a worldly philosophy it is from God's Word !!! 
"You are no part of the world" Jn 17
I am sure some others will come along to defend the apostate ideas that go against Jehovah's Witnesses in regards to 1914. But ask yourself what religion are we suppose to go to if JW are wrong? Just figure it out by ourselves perhaps? We have 30,000 religions which one has the truth on 1914?  Or perhaps like Korah and the 250 rebels who said "they" were God's loyal people and wanted to "reform" His people. We all know what happened to them and who really Jehovah considers loyal. And that is why I am leaving since being here is not LOYAL as has been stated! {Read entire book of Numbers and Jude}.

Now they can't even get together for a picnic? 
What would happen if the police raided a Russian Orthodox picnic? I bet they wouldn't even dare.
Meanwhile the Russian mafia is absconding with the wealth of their entire nation.
Maybe the Russian police should start investigating an outbreak of jaywalking in Moscow. It threatens the nation!

Well since I am no longer wanted and this place is infested with apostates as my final act as terminator:
in·fes·ta·tion ˌinfəˈstāSHən/ noun   the presence of an unusually large number of apostates or animals in a place, typically so as to cause damage or disease. "infestation with apostates is widespread"

Perfect example thanks. Satan also said "is it really so ALL the trees" You said "If everyone here is an apostate". LOL. You know God did not say what Satan said yet you use Satan's apostate methods in questioning. 
You are not approved to give any interpretation or guidance to anyone. Sorry.
"They publicly declare that they know God, but they disown him by their works,  because they are detestable and disobedient and NOT APPROVED FOR GOOD WORK OF ANY SORT."  Titus 1:16.

Sorry but we have all seen what you have posted here is also over time on different threads and it is also apostate. Which is probably why you are trying to defend it As such you are not approved to give any interpretation or guidance to anyone. Sorry.
"They publicly declare that they know God, but they disown him by their works,  because they are detestable and disobedient and NOT APPROVED FOR GOOD WORK OF ANY SORT."  Titus 1:16.

I sympathize with your confusion as apostates will often try to defend their teachings with reason, clarity and Scripture.
   Here is a perfect example: There was once an assembly of apostates, the first  Scripture they pointed to for support against Jehovah's Witnesses was Acts 8:37 NWT. Then after that they went to Acts 15:34 and finally Acts 24:7 to finally cement their argument against Jehovah's Witnesses. Yet the outcome of the meeting was plainly seen in Acts 19:32 :" "Some were, in fact, crying out one thing and others something else; for the assembly was in confusion and the majority of them did not know the reason why they had come together".  LOOK FAMILIAR HERE!
   However the true faith would "all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you,  but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought". 1 Cor. 1:10! 
 

You have also quoted and shown cartoons from apostate websites as Truetom  pointed out some time ago to me. Therefore that disqualifies you according to Scripture to "prove" anything.

Just because Satan can be an angel of light does not disqualify his apostate attitude. Many can say and teach correct things. I also enjoyed some of what he was saying before this thread on other subjects. But when he promotes his teaching from Ray Franz {I and my father were around at that time as well and know the situation quite accurately] and contradicts Jehovah's Witnesses I am not just going to say he is with the "home team". If someone on your team tries to make the other side win [to throw the game] is he really on your team. If he had never quoted from the apostates I would not even be having this conversation. And he has not apologized or has stopped promoting that teaching now has he?

Sorry James but 
 "anything" they now post is now considered as false teaching by your own confession of promoting apostate ideas of Ray Franz and other apostate websites.
  If you believe Jesus did not become King in 1914 or unrepentant ones should not be disfellowshipped then start your own religion, I am sure the 30,000 other apostate "Christian" religions who agree with you will welcome you with open arms as some do here as well. 

JTR,  insider and some others on this blog have repeatedly  quoted from apostate books {Ray Franz} and visited and pasted from apostate sites {you can do a search right on this blog for proof}. You wish to associate with apostates since you have read and promote their teachings by QUOTING from them, that IS apostasy and makes one in fact an APOSTATE. {wt 86 3/15}.
 "and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves". Acts 20:30.
"Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who create divisions and causes for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.+ 18  For men of that sort are slaves, not of our Lord Christ, but of their own appetites,* and by smooth talk and flattering speech they seduce the hearts of unsuspecting ones".  Rom 16:17,18. Titus 3:10,11.
    You both have stated in the past that you still go to the meetings and thus pretend to be a brother yet you find you can reveal your true self by hiding your identity in a forum. You of course would say that you love the truth, the brothers and even have a clean conscience. The Bible says apostates would do the same. {Read entire book of Jude}.  Why even Satan had concern for Jesus and quoted Scripture to him as well. That did not prove his LOYALTY  to Jehovah or those taking the lead. But true loyal Christians would not read apostate books and teachings and you both have definitely not hidden the fact that you have read and promoted the teachings of Ray Franz in this very thread! .
   Because of listening to the Devil and not rejecting his lies, the first human pair apostatized. So, then, should we listen to apostates, read their literature, or examine their Web sites on the Internet? If we love God and the truth, we will not do so. We should not allow apostates into our homes {via the Internet} or even greet them, for such actions would make us ‘sharers in their wicked works.’ (2 John 9-11) May we never succumb to the Devil’s wiles by abandoning the Christian “path of truth” to follow false teachers who seek to “introduce ruinous ideologies” and try to ‘exploit us with well-turned phrases.’—2 Peter 2:1-3, Byington. {See also W06 1/15} 
Therefore you as well as insider and your followers are not approved to give any kind of interpretation or teaching of any kind at all on any subject because by your actions against Jehovah you have confessed to be promoting apostate teachings  : "They publicly declare that they know God, but they disown him by their works,  because they are detestable and disobedient and NOT APPROVED FOR GOOD WORK OF ANY SORT."  Titus 1:16.
  So "anything" they now post is now considered as false teaching by your own confession of promoting apostate ideas of Ray Franz and other apostate websites.
  If you believe Jesus did not become King in 1914 or unrepentant ones should not be disfellowshipped then start your own religion, I am sure the 30,000 other apostate "Christian" religions who agree with you will welcome you with open arms as some do here as well.
"Promoting" the apostate teachings of Christendom against the teaching on 1914  does not make one a loyal Witness of Jehovah, it IS apostasy !!!

Human Rights Center: https://memohrc.org/news/memorial-priznal-politzaklyuchennym-veruyushchego-svidetelya-iegovy-iz-danii-dennisa
"Memorial" recognized the political prisoner of the believing Jehovah's Witness from Denmark Dennis Christensen
The case against Christensen is one of the first in the campaign to prosecute Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia.
Denmark's national Dennis Ole Christensen, a believing Jehovah's Witness who lives in Orel, is charged with committing a crime under Part 1 of Art. 282.2 (organization of the activity of a religious organization in respect of which a decision was made to liquidate in connection with the implementation of extremist activities) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. According to the investigation, Christensen heads the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses in Orel.
FSB officers detained Christensen on May 25, 2017 during a meeting in a building on Zheleznodorozhnaya Street, where the Oryol Jehovah's Witnesses together read the Bible. On May 26, Svetlana Naumova, a judge of the Sovietsky District Court of Orel, decided to select a preventive measure in respect of him in the form of detention.
The case against Christensen was one of the first in the campaign to prosecute Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, which intensified sharply after the Supreme Court on April 20, 2017 decided to recognize the Jehovah's Witnesses' Center in Russia as an extremist organization. Moreover, Christensen became the first in the modern history of Russia, a Witness of Jehovah, who was deprived of his freedom due to religious affiliation.
The decision to select a preventive measure against Christensen states that he allegedly "committed organizational actions aimed at continuing the illegal activities of the IDPs of Jehovah's Witnesses" Eagle "and expressed in the convocation of meetings of JWO Jehovah's Witnesses" Eagle "..., the organization of preaching activities, the distribution of financial Funds of IDPs of Jehovah's Witnesses "Eagle".
In our view, the charges against Christensen only on the basis that he is a believing Jehovah's Witness are discriminatory and violate international legal acts, in particular the right to freedom of religion. The decision of the Oryol regional court to recognize the extremist local religious organization (LRO) of Jehovah's Witnesses "Eagle" and its liquidation and the decision of the Supreme Council to recognize the Russian "Jehovah's Witnesses" as an extremist organization and ban its activities in the country do not have legal grounds and contradict Art. 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation guaranteeing the right to freedom of conscience and religion.
We demand an immediate end to the persecution of Dennis Christensen and other Jehovah's Witnesses who are persecuted for their religious affiliation.
Recognizing a person as a political prisoner or being persecuted for political reasons does not mean either the consent of HRC "Memorial" with his views and statements, nor the approval of his statements or actions.
Yandex-purse of the Fund for Assistance to Political Prisoners of the Solidarity Union for Political Prisoners to Assist All Political Prisoners 410011205892134.
More details about the case, see  here .

Russian puppet threatens Jehovah's Witnesses
FOLLOWING THE R.F., AUTHORITIES OF SOUTH OSSETIA INTEND TO BAN JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
Majority of countries consider South Ossetia occupied Georgian territory
Portal-Credo.Ru, 19 July 2017
 
The prosecutor general of South Ossetia, Uruzmag Dzhagaev, addressed the Supreme Court of that country with a plaintiff's declaration for finding the religious association of the Jehovah's Witnesses to be "extremist" and prohibiting its activity on the territory of the republic.
 
"Sputnik-Ossetia" reports on 19 July that in his declaration the prosecutor general noted that the Investigative Department of the ministry received a report that literature and ideas of an "extremist character" were disseminated and promoted in meetings of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Searches were conducted in homes of Jehovah's Witnesses living in South Ossetia, in which siloviki seized religious literature which was included in the "list of extremist materials."
 
"In the course of an inspection it was established that Jehovah's Witnesses operate on territory of the republic without registration and without inclusion on the account of tax authorities and they conduct their activity in violation of the requirements of the law and they act in a way that tends toward the disruption of religious unity of the Ossetian people," the prosecutor general's lawsuit says.
 
Dzhagaev calls the court's attention to the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses forbid blood transfusion for religious reasons, "which poses a threat not only to their health but also to society and the state." "Besides this, the organization resists the participation of its devotees in fulfilling their civic cuties—elections, service in the army—and they clearly demonstrate their hatred toward people who believe differently, primarily toward Orthodox and national traditions and customs of the Ossetians," the document says.
 
According to the commissioner for religious affairs of South Ossetia, Sonya Khubaeva, religious associations operating on the territory of the republic for a decade are working illegally. The Jehovah's Witnesses have often submitted documents for registration to the republican Ministry of Justice, but every time they were turned down because their religious organization is a "destructive sect whose activity bears an extremist character." The basis for such contentions was not explained for the applicants by officials. "According to law, religious associations that do not register with the Ministry of Justice in the manner established by law do not have the right to operate on the territory of our republic," Khubaeva said.
 
According to information of Portal-Credo.Ru's sources, in the region --which Georgia calls Tskhinvalis, and Russia, South Ossetia--there are about 2,000 Jehovah's Witnesses, while the nominal total of the population at the end of 2016 was 53,500 persons. According to information of a number of experts, only from 20 to 40 thousand inhabitants reside permanently on the territory of the region. South Ossetia is recognized as an independent state by the Russian federation, which actually controls its territory (4,000 Russian troops are permanently stationed on the territory of the region), and by Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, and Vanuatu. South Ossetia also was recognized by the tiny Pacific Ocean state of Tuvalu, but subsequently it reconsidered its position. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a special resolution about recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as integral parts of Georgia, of which they were a part in the period of the existence of the USSR. In April 2015, South Ossetia became the only "partially recognized" state that recognized the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, which are, according to Ukraine's qualification, "terrorist organizations," and it opened its embassies in Donetsk and Luhansk, on what is internationally recognized as territory of Ukraine. (tr. by PDS, posted 20 July 2017)

The United States government publishes on its page his protest for the treatment of Jehovah's witnesses.
Press ReleaseSpokesperson for Heather Nauert's departmentWashington DCJuly 19, 2017
The decision of the Russian Supreme Court this week against Jehovah's witnesses is the last of a disturbing trend of persecution of religious minorities in Russia. We urge the Russian authorities to lift the ban on the activities of Jehovah's witnesses in Russia, to reverse the closure of the administrative centre of Jehovah's witnesses, already releasing members of religious minorities who continue to be unjustly detained by the so-called "activities" Extremists. "
In addition, we urge Russia to respect the right of everyone to exercise freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. All religious minorities must be able to enjoy freedom of religion and assembly without interference, as guaranteed by the constitution of the Russian Federation.
https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/07/272679.htm

This does remind one of "let my people go", well we know it took much more than locust to let  God's people go back then. And the Russian government sees Jehovah's Witnesses as a joke, uneducated and ordinary,  just as all other nations do.
You could say they had a "locust swarm" earlier this year when 48 million letters came to them.   Obviously that did not make them less obstinate but just the opposite JUST as it did in EGYPT !!!

‘Locust plague’: Insects invade southern Russian region (VIDEO)
Published time: 20 Jul, 2017 11:43Edited time: 20 Jul, 2017 11:44 Get short URL   © ROLEX TV / YouTube   Spine-tingling footage shows a swarm of locusts traveling across a road in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan, where swaths of land have been infested by the plague. The amateur video, filmed through the windscreen of a moving car, shows what at first seems to be a sandstorm looming on the horizon. However, as the car approaches, the dense cloud turns out to be a chaotic mass of giant bugs making their way across the road.
  The infestation of locusts prompted local authorities to declare a state of emergency in parts of the republic last month, with some 114,000 hectares of agricultural land affected.
Despite measures being taken, such as fumigation from tractors and planes, the locusts have been eating their way through the republic’s farmland since early summer, destroying crops and grazing.
  "They devour everything. They destroy green fields and there is nothing, just bare ground. There are the greens over there, which they have not yet reached,” a local resident told Ruptly video agency.
“It makes no difference for them: trees, shrubs or grass. If they devour it all, the cattle will have nowhere to graze. We would not know what to do then.”
According to the UN’s Agriculture and Food Organization, an average swarm of locusts can consume the same amount of food as 10 elephants or 2,500 people, as well as being able to travel distances of up to 130km in one day.
https://www.rt.com/news/396919-russia-dagestan-locust-swarm/ for video

Jw insider:
   Chronology is ambiguous for a reason, Jehovah did not yell from the heavens that His Witnesses is the true faith. Otherwise everyone would be a Witness but for the wrong reasons, Jehovah wants people to worship him from the heart not because of the interpretation of some blogger who gets his info from apostate websites. Notice Rev. 6 shows after Jesus is given the crown that the next rider takes peace away from the earth not just a few nations. To me and others that is GLOBAL war - 1914. Notice no chronology needed, just a sign of a global war.{   Dan. 2:44 - "SET UP a kingdom" even tho he is "King of kings" God's Kingdom is set up sometime after Rome disintegrated with its complete fall in the year 1453 C.E.} First global war after that was 1914! REV. 6:4!!!
    But what you are doing is more than just about 1914 since you and others such as JTR on this blog have repeatedly  quoted from apostate books {Ray Franz} as your ideas and his are identical about 1914. You wish to associate with apostates since you have read and promote their teachings by QUOTING from them, that IS apostasy and makes one in fact an APOSTATE. {wt 86 3/15}.
 "and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves". Acts 20:30.
"Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who create divisions and causes for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.+ 18  For men of that sort are slaves, not of our Lord Christ, but of their own appetites,* and by smooth talk and flattering speech they seduce the hearts of unsuspecting ones".  Rom 16:17,18. Titus 3:10,11.
    You have stated in the past that you still go to the meetings and thus pretend to be a brother yet you find you can reveal your true self by hiding your identity in a forum. You of course would say that you love the truth, the brothers and even have a clean conscience. The Bible says apostates would do the same. {Read entire book of Jude}.  Why even Satan had concern for Jesus and quoted Scripture to him as well. That did not prove his LOYALTY  to Jehovah or those taking the lead. But true loyal Christians would not read apostate books and teachings and you have definitely not hidden the fact that you have read and promoted the teachings of Ray Franz in this very thread! .
   Because of listening to the Devil and not rejecting his lies, the first human pair apostatized. So, then, should we listen to apostates, read their literature, or examine their Web sites on the Internet? If we love God and the truth, we will not do so. We should not allow apostates into our homes {via the Internet} or even greet them, for such actions would make us ‘sharers in their wicked works.’ (2 John 9-11) May we never succumb to the Devil’s wiles by abandoning the Christian “path of truth” to follow false teachers who seek to “introduce ruinous ideologies” and try to ‘exploit us with well-turned phrases.’—2 Peter 2:1-3, Byington. {See also W06 1/15}
 
Therefore you as well as JTR and your followers are not approved to give any kind of interpretation or teaching of any kind at all on any subject because by your actions against Jehovah you have confessed to be promoting apostate teachings  : "They publicly declare that they know God, but they disown him by their works,  because they are detestable and disobedient and NOT APPROVED FOR GOOD WORK OF ANY SORT."  Titus 1:16.
  So "anything" you now post is now considered as false teaching by your own confession of promoting apostate ideas of Ray Franz and others.
  If you believe Jesus did not become King in 1914 then start your own religion, I am sure the 30,000 other apostate "Christian" religions who agree with you will welcome you with open arms as some do here as well. {unless you wish to retract the apostate teachings of Christendom}.
{However as of 2017 JW.ORG is now the number one religious website out of 17,000 other religious websites. Praise Jah for the TRUE religion}!!! ISA 2:2-4!
                                                   
 

WHY IS VLADIMIR PUTIN'S RUSSIA SO AFRAID OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES?
BY MATHEW SCHMALZ ON 7/19/17 AT 7:36 AM         CLOS     OPINIONPUTINVLADIMIR PUTINJEHOVAH'S WITNESSESRELIGION IN RUSSIAEXTREMISM This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
On Monday, July 17, the Russian Supreme Court rejected an appeal of an earlier rulingsanctioning Jehovah’s Witnesses as an extremist group. As a last ditch effort, Russian Jehovah’s Witnesses intend to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. But, as of now, Jehovah’s Witness gatherings and preaching are criminal offenses in Russia. The Russian government also has the legal authority to liquidate any property held by Jehovah’s Witnesses as an organization.
There are over eight million Jehovah’s Witnesses in 240 countries worldwide. Russia, with a population of more than 150 million, has a total of 117,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses—one Jehovah’s Witness per 850 people.
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Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and why would the Russian, or any, government consider them to be a threat?
Early history
The story of Jehovah’s Witnesses begins in the late 19th century near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a group of students studying the Bible. The group was led by Charles Taze Russell, a religious seeker from a Presbyterian background. These students understood “Jehovah,” a version of the Hebrew “Yaweh,” to be the name of God the Father himself.
Russell and his followers looked forward to Jesus Christ establishing a “millennium” or a thousand-year period of peace on Earth. This “Golden Age” would see the Earth transformed to its original purity, with a “righteous” social system that would not have poverty or inequality.
Russell died in 1916 without witnessing the return of Jesus Christ.
But his group endured and grew. The name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was formally adopted in the 1930s.
Early Jehovah’s Witnesses believed 1914 to be the beginning of the end of worldly governmentsthat would culminate with the Battle of Armageddon. Armageddon specifically refers to Mount Megiddo in Israel where some Christians believe the final conflict between good and evil will take place. Jehovah’s Witnesses, however, expected that the Battle of Armageddon would be worldwide with Jesus leading a “heavenly army” to defeat the enemies of God.
They also believed that after Armageddon, Jesus would rule the world from heaven with 144,000 “faithful Christians,” as specified in the Book of Revelation. Other faithful Christians would be reunited with dead loved ones and live on a renewed Earth.
Over the years, Jehovah’s Witnesses have reinterpreted elements of this timeline and have abandoned setting specific dates for the return of Jesus Christ. But they still look forward to the Golden Age that Russell and his Bible students expected.
Given the group’s belief in a literal thousand-year earthly reign of Christ, scholars of religion classify Jehovah’s Witnesses as a “millennarian movement.”
What are their beliefs?
Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Trinity. For most Christians, God is a union of three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Instead, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is distinct from God—not united as one person with him. The “Holy Spirit,” then, refers to God’s active power. Such doctrines distinguish Jehovah’s Witnesses from mainline Christian denominations, all of which hold that God is “triune” in nature.
But like other Christian denominations, Jehovah’s Witnesses praise God through worship and song. Their gathering places are called “Kingdom Halls,” which are ordinary-looking buildings – like small conference centers—that have the advantage of being easily built. Inside are rows of chairs and a podium for speakers, but little special adornment. Jehovah’s Witnesses are best known for devoting a substantial amount of time to Bible study and door-to-door evangelizing.
Their biblical interpretations and missionary work certainly have critics. But it is the political neutrality of the group that has attracted the most suspicion.
Jehovah’s Witnesses accept the legitimate authority of government in many matters. For example, they pay taxes, following Jesus’ admonition in Mark 12:17 “to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.”
But they do not vote in elections, serve in the military or salute the flag. Such acts, they believe, compromise their primary loyalty to God.
A history of persecution
Jehovah’s Witnesses have no political affiliations, and they renounce violence. However, they make an easy target for governments looking for internal enemies, as they refuse to bow down to government symbols. Many nationalists call them “enemies of the state.”
As a result, they have often suffered persecution throughout history in many parts of the world.
Jehovah’s Witnesses were jailed as draft evaders in the U.S. during both world wars. In a Supreme Court ruling in 1940, school districts were allowed to expel Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused to salute the American flag. Through subsequent legal battles in the 1940s and 1950s, Jehovah Witnesses helped expand safeguards for religious liberty and freedom of conscienceboth in the United States and Europe.
In Nazi Germany, Jehovah’s Witnesses were killed in concentration camps; a purple triangle was used by the Nazis to mark them. In the 1960s and ‘70’s, scores of African Jehovah’s Witnesses were slaughtered by members of The Youth League of the Malawi Congress Party for refusing to support dictator Hastings Banda. Many Witnesses fled to neighboring Mozambique, where they were held in internment camps.
Now it is Russia.
The Russian Supreme Court maintains that the country needs to be protected from disloyal religious fanatics.
But given their commitment to God above all things, Jehovah’s Witnesses see themselves as being persecuted by those who value loyalty to country over any other principle. They also believe that the Russian government has “trampled on the guarantees of their own laws.”
Many Jehovah’s Witnesses still attach a great importance to dates. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses are filled with foreboding, as April 20, the day the Russian Supreme Court first ruled against them, is also the birthday of Adolf Hitler.
Their memories of persecution have not faded with time.
Mathew Schmalz is associate professor of religion at College of the Holy Cross.

Phew!

In 2008, after considerable and protracted legal wrangling, the Russian Prosecutor General's office rehabilitated the Romanov family as "victims of political repressions".[17]
 "IT ALWAYS BEGAN WITH JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES AND THEN IT WAS REFLECTED ON EVERYBODY"
Video by Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 27 March 2017
 
One of the first laws of the new Russia was the law of 18 October 1991 regarding rehabilitation of victims of political repression. Those who fell within the scope of rehabilitation were those who had been subjected to exile. It was to Jehovah's Witnesses that this pertained in the main. That was the year 1991. What has changed in this time? Have Jehovah's Witnesses changed? No. What has changed in our state in this time? Otherwise how can one explain this thoughtless, to put it mildly, act on the part of the Ministry of Justice which turned into issuing this lawsuit for the liquidation and prohibition of the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses? What kind of consequences might be if this lawsuit were to be granted? According to the Criminal Code, responsibility has been established for participating in the activity that is forbidden as an extremist organization or for organizing this activity and these are such severe sanctions: for participating, from 2 to 6 years incarceration, and for organizing, from 6 to 10 years.
 
Are there really no controlling or supervisory agencies standing behind this lawsuit? Really no analysts there? No experts? Is there really nobody who can say today what this will lead to tomorrow? Well the first step has been made. The next steps—they will follow from what has already been done. If they ban today, then what does that mean should be tomorrow? There should be criminal prosecutions. Now many are commenting on current circumstances with respect to your religious association. They say: "Come now! It isn't likely that someone will go to this. What, will lock ups really start?" I say that this will simply be inevitable.
 
There has already been a pilot case. You will recall that in 2015 in Taganrog, where in 2009 a local congregation was banned, in 2012 a surveillance recording was made, establishing the fact of the conduct of a meeting, and a case was initiated, the case dragged on a long time, and in the end, in 2015, came the court's sentence. And even if there  just were fines and even if it was a suspended prison term, there were convictions. Here it was a kind of, one may say, touchstone. And what is now? It isn't Taganrog now. It is not an isolated congregation. This is now throughout Russia. What is it? Throughout Russia now will there be imprisonments? They are inevitable, if today . . . Well, today there is still time to rethink--less than two weeks remain—rethink and put a stop to it. And probably it would be more noble to take a step back, because the consequences of this, what could be, are unpredictable.
 
Many now think that Jehovah's Witnesses have fallen into the list of inconvenient people and this does not affect us; then it seems to me we should not be in delusion. And again, simply look a bit into history, into the history of persecution for religious convictions. It always began with the Jehovah's Witnesses, and then it was reflected onto everybody. It happens, probably, what can one say: "Take care of the Jehovah's Witnesses." Because this will all turn against the rest.
 
And now this is where I started—about recognizing the victims of political repressions. At that time, in 1991, these very Jehovah's Witnesses were given certificates, such beautiful booklets, that they were thus recognized as victims of political repression. And with these certificates came certain privileges. But what of today? Go back and revise the law on rehabilitation? Maybe rescind it? Or simply have the Witnesses collect all these certifications and give them back? I would very much like to believe that still common sense and justice will prevail. (tr. by PDS, posted 28 March 2017)
 
Russian transcript posted on website of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 27 March 2017
Related article: Protestant attorney speaks up for Jehovah's WitnessesMarch 21, 2017

The ban came on an extremely symbolic date. On 17 July (the date of remembrance of the murder of the tsarist family). The Romanov family was executed on JULY 17, 1918. exactly 99 years to the day that the Russian Government has banned for the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union a religion - the Jehovah's Witnesses! Interesting.
http://www.sclj.ru/news/detail.php?SECTION_ID=478&ELEMENT_ID=7649
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_of_the_Romanov_family
In 2008, after considerable and protracted legal wrangling, the Russian Prosecutor General's office rehabilitated the Romanov family as "victims of political repressions".[17]
 

http://www.newsweek.com/jehovahs-witnesses-russia-ban-oppression-594839

Full coverageCourt Confirms Decision to Ban Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, Here's Why Sputnik International Jul 18, 2017  Russia Supreme Court upholds ban on Jehovah's Witnesses JURIST Jul 18, 2017  Russian court confirms Jehovah's Witnesses ban Yahoo News UK Jul 18, 2017  From RussiaRussian Supreme Court Rejects Jehovah's Witnesses Appeal The Moscow Times Jul 18, 2017  More ArticlesJehovah's Witnesses ban comes into force in Russia after Supreme Court dismisses appeal The Independent Jul 18, 2017  EU Urges Russia to Ensure Jehovah's Witnesses Freedom of Assembly Amid Ban Sputnik International Jul 18, 2017  EU insists on right of Jehovah's Witnesses to be entitled to freedom of assembly Kyiv Post Jul 18, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses vow to appeal Russia ban in European court Times LIVE Jul 18, 2017  EU Criticizes Russia Over Jehovah's Witnesses Ban Voice of America Jul 18, 2017  Blow to religious freedom as Jehovah's Witnesses banned in Russia The Calvert Journal Jul 18, 2017  Russian Appeals Court Bans Jehovah's Witnesses OZY Jul 18, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses Ban Appeal Rejected by Russia's Supreme Court, Allowing Government to Seize Worship Halls Newsweek Jul 17, 2017  Russia upholds its ban on 'extremist' Jehovah's Witnesses – but the group vows to fight on International Business Times UK Jul 18, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses Vow to Fight Back After Russia Gives Group Same 'Extremist' Status as ISIS Gospel Herald Jul 18, 2017  Russia Jehovah's Witnesses banned after they lose appeal BBC News Jul 17, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses Remain Banned as Russia Rejects Appeal ChristianityToday.com Jul 17, 2017  Russia Orders Disbanding of Jehovah's Witnesses Newser Jul 18, 2017  Russia's Supreme Court stands by its nationwide ban on Jehovah's Witnesses Globalnews.ca Jul 17, 2017  Russian Supreme Court Upholds Ruling Banning Jehovah's Witnesses RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty Jul 17, 2017  Russian Supreme Court Upholds Jehovah's Witness Ban Washington Free Beacon Jul 17, 2017  Jehovah's Witness vows to appeal its ban Daily Post Nigeria Jul 18, 2017  Russian Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Jehovah's Witnesses Voice of America Jul 17, 2017  Russia Ban: Jehovah's Witnesses Take Case To European Court The Whistler Jul 18, 2017  Russia's Supreme Court Upholds Outlawing of Jehovah's Witnesses as 'Extremist Organization' Intelligencer Post Jul 18, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses Ban Appeal Rejected by Russia's Supreme Leicester Post Jul 18, 2017  EU's diplomatic service stands up for rights of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russian Federation Normangee Star Jul 18, 2017  Supreme Court Upholds Ruling That Bans Jehovah's Witnesses In Russia | Religious Body Heads To European Court 360Nobs.com Jul 18, 2017  Rabid Christian Evangelical Group Jehovah's Witnesses Banned In Russia Swarajya Jul 18, 2017  European Union criticizes Russian Federation over Jehovah's Witnesses ban

https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/LatestVideos/pub-jwb_201707_14_VIDEO

NEWSWEEK:
RUSSIA’S JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES BAN IS FAR FROM THE ONLY OPPRESSION THE GROUP FACES AROUND THE WORLD
BY JASON LE MIERE ON 5/5/17 AT 11:01 AM       WORLDJEHOVAH'S WITNESSESRELIGIOUS FREEDOM Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia are still reeling from a decision by the country’s Supreme Courtlast month to ban all activity of the Christian denomination under an anti-extremism law. But, while that decision has garnered much attention and condemnation around the world, Russia is far from the only country guilty of oppressing the U.S.-founded religion.
Related: After ban, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia harassed by police during religious services
Jehovah's Witnesses began in Pennsylvania toward the end of the 19th century and now count 8.3 million members around the globe. The group headquartered in upstate New York is perhaps best known for going door-to-door to spread their message. as well as refusing military service and blood transfusions. Their stance on blood transfusions was cited by Russia's justice ministry as evidence that they constituted an extremist organization. However. their position has also been credited with encouraging doctors to come up with less risky alternatives to using blood.
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Still, their beliefs remain controversial in many parts of the world. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its annual report last month detailing various abuses committed against almost all religions all over the globe. Numerous abuses involve Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Eritrea
The plight of Jehovah’s Witnesses is particularly serious in Eritrea. The African country officially recognizes just four religious groups—the Coptic Orthodox Church of Eritrea, Sunni Islam, the Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church of Eritrea—all other groups must register. Many minority faith groups are persecuted, including Jehovah’s Witnesses. A decree from the then- and current-President Isaias Afwerki in 1994 revoked Jehovah’s Witnesses’ citizenship due to their refusal to take part in national service or participate politically. Three Jehovah’s Witnesses remain imprisoned from that time, as part of a total of 54 Jehovah’s Witnesses currently imprisoned without trial.
Tajikistan
A decade before Russia’s ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Central Asian country of Tajikistan did the same thing. With, at the time, a congregation of just 600 in the country of around 8.5 million, Tajikistan’s Culture Ministry in 2007 decreed the group’s activity “illegal” and, again largely citing their refusal to partake in military service, issued a nationwide ban.
Turkmenistan
Also deemed a “Country of Particular Concern” by USCIRF, Turkmenistan, has what Human Rights Watch has called an “atrocious” record when it comes to human rights. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been singled out for some of the worst treatment. Members of the group have been fired from their jobs and even evicted from their homes, according to human rights organization Forum 18. Jehovah’s Witnesses have also reported being imprisoned without charge and tortured.
  Kyrgyzstan
In unquestionably the most bizarre form of oppression carried out against Jehovah’s Witnesses, a mother and daughter spent 31 months under house arrest, until their release in October 2015, for alleged witchcraft. Their precise crime was said to be conjuring snakes from eggs and stealing a woman’s life savings, according to Forum 18. Jehovah’s Witnesses allege that the punishment was retribution for their failed applications to register their faith with the state.
Uzbekistan
Central Asia’s most populous country regularly disrupts Jehovah’s Witnesses meetings and, as with those of other religious groups in the country, particularly Muslims, often punishes those in attendance for possessing religious literature.
Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, where all religious groups must register with the government, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been subject to raids, arrests, fines and having religious texts confiscated. In 2015, two Jehovah’s Witnesses were jailed for almost a year for sharing the Bible’s message with their neighbors.  Jehovah’s Witnesses have also been jailed for refusing to perform military service.
Kazakhstan
Neighboring Russia, constitutionally secular Kazakhstan has repeatedly fined Jehovah’s Witnesses for sharing their faith with others, either verbally or through religious texts, and even inviting people to meetings. Just this week, a Jehovah's Witness was sentenced to five years in prison, accused of propagating ideas that "disrupt interreligious and interethnic concord."
 
  Belarus
Jehovah’s Witnesses in this former Soviet country have been threatened with liquidation for holding religious meetings without permission and distributing religious texts. Last year, a Jehovah’s Witness was fined for refusing to perform military service, even though he offered to perform civilian service.
Egypt
Despite there being an estimated 1,500 in the country, Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with the Bahá’í faith, has been banned in Egypt since 1960. Members of the religious group remain prohibited from having places of worship, even if in recent years they have been permitted to meet with fewer than 30 people in private homes, according to the USCIRF report.