A Focus OF THE SOVIET ATTACK - Efforts to Cope With Growth

In time, the Soviets tried different methods to stop Jehovah's Witnesses.  Since vicious persecution had failed to produce the desired results.  a well-planed program of  lying propaganda was initiated.  Books, films, and radio programs-as well as the infiltration of congregations by trained KGB agents-ere all tried.

The widespread misrepresentation cause many people to view the Witnesses with fear and distrust, as evidenced by an article in the August  1982 Reader's Digest.  Canadian  Edition. It was written by Vladimir Bukovsky, a Russian who was allowed to immigrate  to England in 1976.  He wrote:  "One evening in London, I happened to notice as plaque on a building that read:  JEHOVAH"S WITNESSES . . . I couldn't read any further.  I was stupefied , almost to the point of panic."  

Vladimir explained why he was needlessly fearful:  "These are the cultists whom the authorities use as boogeymen in our country to try to scare children . . .In the U.S.S.R., you meet flesh and blood 'Witnesses' only in prison and concentration camps.  And here I was in front of a building, a plaque.  Could anyone actually go in and have a cup of tea with them?" he asked. To emphasize his reason for alarm. Vladimir concluded:  "The 'Witnesses'  are pursued in our country with as much fury as the Mafia in theirs, and they mystery that surrounds them is the same." 

Yet, despite vicious persecution and lying propaganda, the Witnesses persevered and increased in numbers.  Such Soviet books as The Truths About Jehovah's Witnesses, with a printing in Russian in 1978 of 100,000 copies, suggested the need for stepped up anti-Witness propaganda.  The author V.V. Konik, who described how the Witnesses were carrying on their preaching in the face of severe restrictions, advised:  "Soviet researchers on religion should learn more effective methods for overcoming the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses." 

Next time: A Focus OF THE SOVIET ATTACK -Why the Focus of Attack? 

From the jw.org publications