Moscow bans Jehovah's Witnesses

BBC World News ^ | 3/26/04 | BBC

[TonyBanks]

Moscow bans Jehovah's Witnesses

A Russian court has barred Jehovah's Witnesses from operating in the capital, Moscow. The court ruled that group's practices broke up families, encouraged suicide and threatened its members' health by not allowing blood transfusions.

Lawyers for the group said the ruling was a step back for democracy and was reminiscent of Soviet rule.

They said they would appeal the verdict both in Russia and to the European Court of Human Rights.

"Religious minorities are often a litmus test for where a society is going... this is an ominous signal," the group's lawyer, John Burns, said.

In an interview outside the courtroom, Vasiliy Kalin, a Jehovah's Witness official, expressed his disappointment at the ruling.

"In the Soviet time a Russian had to be an atheist," he said.

"The situation has changed and a Russian must be Orthodox now."

A Russian law from 1997 recognises only four traditional religions - Orthodoxy, Judaism, Buddhism and Islam.

Prolonged battle

The court case against the Jehovah's Witnesses began in September 1998 but was suspended six months later as the court asked experts to examine literature published by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Human rights groups said at the time it was an important test case which could have a lasting impact on minority religions across Russia.

In February 2001 a Moscow court refused to ban the local activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

But an appeals court later that year overturned this ruling, allowing prosecutors to relaunch proceedings against the group.

Jehovah's Witnesses claim 11,000 followers in Moscow and more than 133,000 throughout the whole of Russia.

[Imal]

If they have a problem with the JW's, just wait until they get a load of the Scientologists.

[beavus]

It can hardly call itself a free society if it cannot tolerate well-apparelled evangelists.

They should just treat the blood transfusion issue very specifically. Minors who need blood transfusions or risk death should get them even if it means having the state step in as temporary guardians. Minors cannot be recognized as thinking for themselves, and not even parents should be allowed to let their children die.

[zinochka]

It can hardly call itself a free society if it cannot tolerate well-apparelled evangelists.

The Riuters artical on this subject is more explanitory. The Jehovah witnesses are only the latest Christian sect to be targeted by the Russian Orthodox church. Along with Mormons, Salvation Army, Adventists, Penticostals, and even Catholics! The Orthodox Church is aggressivly establishing itself as the state Christian faith. Putin who has been Orthodox all his life has called for tolerance of religious faiths such as Jewish and Muslim but not for Christian sects other than Orthodox. He has proposed a bill making Orthodox the state Christian faith. Good for the Church, not so good for evangical groups like the Jehovah Witnesses and Penticostals! But when Russia is threatened with Islamic terrorism and rise of facist skinhead violence, why pick on nonviolent Christian groups???

[Hank Rearden]

They should just throw a big national birthday party - that'll get all the pesky JW's out quick.

[DameAutour]

This is such a shame. No religious freedom in Russia.

[CathyRyan]

If they have a problem with the JW's, just wait until they get a load of the Mormons.

[VaBthang4]

As well they should...

...nothing but a bunch of hack cultists.

[beavus]

Very very interesting. I had no idea.

[Cultural Jihad]

Jehovah's Witnesses claim 11,000 followers in Moscow and more than 133,000 throughout the whole of Russia.

One footnote of general interest, if I remember correctly the J.W.'s claim that only 144,000 people from the whole world will be saved.

[Imal]

It can hardly call itself a free society if it cannot tolerate well-apparelled evangelists.

It's not clear to me that Russia actually wishes to call itself a "free society".

[zinochka]

One footnote of general interest, if I remember correctly the J.W.'s claim that only 144,000 people from the whole world will be saved.

No, not exacly, they believe 144,000 spiritual Israelites go to heaven and millions of good Christians get to live forever in new paradise on earth. I have Jehovah witness cousin so I get to hear the speel.

[Ciexyz]

I sympathize with the Russkies on this issue. They've opened up their society and they get hit by the Witnesses. No wonder they're moving against other non-Orthodox groups.

[blackbart.223]

"One footnote of general interest, if I remember correctly the J.W.'s claim that only 144,000 people from the whole world will be saved."

This does present a sticky wicket.

[blackbart.223]

"I sympathize with the Russkies on this issue. They've opened up their society and they get hit by the Witnesses."

They only have to do what I do. Politly inform them they are on private property and proceed to slam the door in their face. No need for the government to step in here. Problem solved.

[Focault's Pendulum]

If they have a problem with the JW's, just wait until they get a load of the Scientologists.

If they have a problem with the JW's, just wait until they get a load of the Mormons.

Wait'll they get a hold of me! I'm getting ready to go over there and start a new belief system....based on the deprivation of cabbage...on Wednesdays, Sundays, and Tuesday.

[stripes1776]

A Russian court has barred Jehovah's Witnesses from operating in the capital, Moscow.

I wonder if that court could bar them from ringing my door bell. They are really a rude, pushy, obnoxious bunch when they come calling unannounced and uninvited.

[RussianConservative]

Hmmm and there you make mistake number one: JW, Mormons not Christians, not is Church of Christian Science or Quakers...none is Christian to even begin with.

[RussianConservative]

Mormons already to Russia and batisting dead Russian Orthodox and Jews.

[RussianConservative]

Consider level of Freedom of West and through such "freedom" total lack of love of Christ...maybe nihilism is not such freedom.