DISCUSS COURT CASE HERE JW.org - Jehovah’s Witnesses Mobilize Global Response to Threat of Ban in Russia

[Tortuga]

17 minutes ago, EccentricM said:

The end video I think of the brothers signing is just a misunderstanding, it looks as if they are saying those are the brothers in Russia, but simply the uploader is saying that the brothers will remain strong in tribulation. A motivational video of sorts.  Though a bit misleading with the whole "singing in front of governments comment" at the end (which is what tricked me initially), perhaps it was not literal.

I thought of that too but the end result is that the video is misleading...

[Ahuvah]

Just now, Luezette said:

Matthew, "seems to be a witness" aren't words that we've come to associate with this clean, righteous organization that belongs to Jehovah. 

So and so is either a witness, or so and so isn't a witness. So which is it...exactly? 

Well, I'm not gonna go at this, for Jehovah knows who belongs to him. Anyone who is masquerading as one of his people will be exposed!

We don't know ... he does refer in the video to 'us'  or  'we'  sometimes. Why do you doubt he is a witness? The other video to do with the flash mob may infact just be that, a mistake ...  and we have all made them. So based soley on the mistake ... I would not be pious enough to say he isn't a Jehovah's Witness. (I've also posted things mistakenly without checking too) But if you have further reason for believing so, it would be good for us to hear so we can come to our own conclusions.

[Victoria]

I just want to add that singing in English doesn't mean they are not in Russia. There are more than 100 languages spoken in Russia. There are English congregations in big cities.

[New World Explorer]

6 minutes ago, Stormswift said:

these tricks are what they employ

You're right Mandi.

Even if these aren't "tricks" then just sheer confusion about what is legitimate and not servers "their" purpose.

Just now, Victoria said:

I just want to add that singing in English doesn't mean they are not in Russia. There are more than 100 languages spoken in Russia. There are English congregations in big cities.

Good point! Victoria.

[Ahuvah]

1 minute ago, Victoria said:

I just want to add that singing in English doesn't mean they are not in Russia. There are more than 100 languages spoken in Russia. There are English congregations in big cities.

Exactly, what makes it not legitimate is the time and location of the original posting of this ... it was for convention delegates in 2014. But yes, the mere fact it was in English would not preclude that as false.

[Tortuga]

I'm not creating a conspiracy theory here but misinformation, disinformation and dilution of facts can be used to confuse people.

[EccentricM]

3 minutes ago, Luezette said:

Matthew, "seems to be a witness" aren't words that we've come to associate with this clean, righteous organization that belongs to Jehovah. 

So and so is either a witness, or so and so isn't a witness. So which is it...exactly? 

Well, I'm not gonna go at this, for Jehovah knows who belongs to him. Anyone who is masquerading as one of his people will be exposed!

Yeah it's a shame that some brothers, even well intentioned would twist the truth. Since that is not how Jehovah wants us to go about things. Even if to our detriment, Jehovah is always a God of truth, and wants his followers to be too. 

 

I put "seems" due to the fact that he doesn't have any apostate videos or any content that promotes anything against the brothers. Very odd if pretending to be a brother, I wouldn't understand the motivation if all content seems to be for encouragement and support. Seems a bit backward to me. I'd understand if they were mixing in some unscriptual things with their preaching in order to cause divisions. An undercover apostate attempting to plant seeds of doubt and such overtime.  

[Luezette]

Mandi (I don't know how to do the quote thing), I'm not saying that he isn't a witness because honestly, I don't know, just as we're all trusting that we who say we are who we are are being honest. And plus I can't impute wrong motives on anyone. 

It was just a response to the words concerning the video "seems to be." 

I fiercely love Jehovah's people and will literally go out on a limb for each and every one of you.

[New World Explorer]

1 minute ago, Tortuga said:

I'm not creating a conspiracy theory here but misinformation, disinformation and dilution of facts can be used to confuse people.

I agree and it's prudent to stay away from "confusion" in any form and shape.

Why? Well W 2013 stated that in the near future we will receive instructions that may seem to be "strange' to us but we must obey they those instructions.

Now is the time to learn how to separate legitimate from not "so" legitimate and abstain fully from spreading "half' truths. 

Confusion can be fatal for us. (talking about the future)

[Ahuvah]

Just now, Luezette said:

Mandi (I don't know how to do the quote thing), I'm not saying that he isn't a witness because honestly, I don't know, just as we're all trusting that we who say we are who we are are being honest. And plus I can't impute wrong motives on anyone. 

It was just a response to the words concerning the video "seems to be." 

I fiercely love Jehovah's people and will literally go out on a limb for each and every one of you.

I have no doubt you love us intensely ... no doubt at all ... and like you something isn't ringing true either, but I just want to be careful about putting him in the 'not witness'basket until we know for sure. That's the downside to being online - it's sooo easy to veil who you are and your intentions. So perhaps erring on the side of caution ... might be a good thing.

[Ahuvah]

I think our name - Jehovah's Witnesses - says it all ... we are to give a true and tried testimony about Jehovah and his activities - if we can't give a witness we don't know for sure is true - then silence is the best avenue. 

 

I think leave this one to Jehovah to reveal if that is his will.

[Luezette]

Ok Mandi you're right (as you usually are. I notice how you keep me straight ). 

[Ahuvah]

2 minutes ago, Luezette said:

Ok Mandi you're right (as you usually are. I notice how you keep me straight ). 

I was actually referring to those doing the videos darling ... not my place to put you straight esp publicly ... Jehovah is better at that than I am.

[Luezette]

Indeed Jehovah is. 

[New World Explorer]

1 minute ago, Stormswift said:

I was actually referring to those doing the videos darling ... not my place to put you straight esp publicly ... Jehovah is better at that than I am.

I am reading posts from both of YOU and concluded in my heart: They are such a humble beautiful gems...

[Ahuvah]

There goes my reputation. Muwhahaha. (Wait my rep was noisy, and bubbly and bouncy, can i be those and humble as well?)

Edited April 2, 2017 by Stormswift

[New World Explorer]

4 minutes ago, Stormswift said:

There goes my reputation. Muwhahaha. (Wait my rep was noisy, and bubbly and bouncy, can i be those and humble as well?)

 

and funny ...

[Luezette]

Greg, how about stopping by my congregation. The friends there will tell you: 

"Luezette is crazy, we don't pay her no mind." Lol. And they don't too! Lol lol lol

[Ahuvah]

1 minute ago, Luezette said:

Greg, how about stopping by my congregation. The friends there will tell you: 

"Luezette is crazy, we don't pay her no mind." Lol. And they don't too! Lol lol lol

Funnily enough Luezette I get those looks too ... I bound (sometimes alittle too enthusiastically I guess) up to brothers and sisters and talk about current events, this letter campaign being the latest ... and I don't get enthusiasm back and I go away thinking I'm making too much of this - is it wrong of me to be excited to see Jehovah working on his peoples behalf?

[Luezette]

I get more than looks actually, or looks with "Yes, Sis. Thompson." 

But to answer your question, no! You're not wrong in being "excited to see Jehovah working on his people's behalf." Not wrong at all! For he said he'll be with us, and we know that's true because he said it, it's exciting to actually see it. 

Personally, that's all I can think of really. Plus the fact of how humble Jehovah and is to allow us, imperfect people, to have a part in this. He didn't have to do that, for he's perfectly able to handle it all by himself!

[Ahuvah]

Yes its all I can think about too for the past week ... and am eagerly looking forward to (no matter the outcome as Jehovah will triumph soon anyway) this week - and the courtcase.

 

I too am humbled to be part of his people, and be part of history for  many generations to come.

 

I think too ... my job is so ummm well its not a positive job especially when I'm dealing with young suicides and Jehovah always balances things nicely ... and this is certainly one way to balance the sadness of this world and that is to delight in Jehovah. In fact we are allowed to boast in Jehovah.

[Luezette]

"Jehovah, there is no other God like you." 

And truly, truly true!

[timpin]

8 hours ago, Tortuga said:

I hope the letter campaign has some effect but Putin has been working on this ban for a long time and seems pretty determined to make it happen. 

 

*** w11 7/15 p. 4 A Lengthy Legal Struggle Ends in Victory! ***
The first stage of the struggle began in June 1995. A Moscow-based group that is openly aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church filed a complaint accusing our brothers of engaging in criminal activities. 
 

 

*** w11 7/15 p. 8 A Lengthy Legal Struggle Ends in Victory! ***
On August 25, 2004, our brothers delivered a petition to the Kremlin addressed to Vladimir Putin, then president of Russia. The petition, expressing deep concern about the ban, consisted of 76 volumes and contained over 315,000 signatures. Meanwhile, the Russian Orthodox clergy showed their true colors. A spokesman for the Moscow Patriarchy declared: “We are very much against the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” A Muslim leader said that the ruling on the ban was “a milestone and positive event.”
 

 

Richard the way you have worded this first part by quoting p.4 you make it sound as if Putin was President way back in 1995  ??     I don't believe he was at that point  ?

here's the link for the article you quoted  ...   http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011522

1 hour ago, Stormswift said:

And, that is why we have to be so careful about what we are posting, because even if in good intentions we post the wrong thing and haven't sourced it ... (which is different to posting something to find out its source) then other brothers and sisters may label us as unfaithful or even apostate as these tricks are what they employ.

since this is a sensitive and very important subject   ...   

1 hour ago, Tortuga said:

I'm not creating a conspiracy theory here but misinformation, disinformation and dilution of facts can be used to confuse people.

   ...   even in jest this gets somewhat confusing verses the facts

Edited April 2, 2017 by timpin

[Victoria]

I think THE CHURCH has been working on this ban for a long time and now it has enough power to make it happen. The article reminded me that JWs in Russia NEVER had an easy life, always being called an " american cult" and even " american spies". But now the Bethel can be seized! It is really bad!

[Sally]

HELSINKI COMMISSION CONDEMNS PENDING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES IN RUSSIA

 

https://www.csce.gov/international-impact/press-and-media/press-releases/helsinki-commission-condemns-pending-legal

Edited April 2, 2017 by Sally