Jehovah Guides Our Global Teaching Work

HOW LAWS HAVE BEEN HELPFUL 

As noted in the preceding article, the early Christians benefited from Roman law, which was in force throughout the empire. Similarly, present-day Christians benefit  from legal provisions. For example, in the United States-the location of our world headquarters-the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and assembly. This has given brothers in the United States freedom to meet and discuss the Bible openly and to share with others what they are learning. However, freedom to exercise certain rights had to be legally established in the courts. (Philippians 1:7) When legal action was brought against  Jehovah's people in the United States, appeals to higher courts repeatedly upheld their right to be Kingdom proclaimers.

Courts of other countries have also upheld our freedom of worship and the right to preach publicly. In some lands, we have lost court battles, but we have applied to international courts. For example, as of June 2014, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled in our favor in 57 cases that are binding on all nations of the Council of Europe. Even though we are   "hated by all nations," the courts of many countries have ruled that we have the right to practice true worship. -Matthew 24:9. 

Next time: Jehovah Guides Our Global Teaching Work - HOW OTHER FACTORS HAVE AFFECTED OUR TEACHING WORK

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015