WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF RELIGION -One of the Targets

Jehovah's Witnesses have been one of the chief target of the attack led by the Russian Orthodox Church. On June 20, 1996, the Moscow prosecutor's office began to consider a lawsuit initiated by the anti-cult Committee for the Protection of Youth From False Religions.  Although the case was recessed time and again because of absence of evidence of criminal behavior on the part of the Witnesses, each time it was revived. 

In the meantime, the Witnesses became the objects of a barrage of propaganda. Komsomolskaya Pravda, a Russian newspaper with a circulation of 1, 200, 000 noted in its issue of November 21, 1998.  "Over a period of only two years, the Russian Orthodox Church has released more than ten books, brochures, and handbooks 'dedicated' to the  Jehovah's Witnesses community."  Why has the church focused on trying to discredit the Witnesses? 

"Likely," Komsomolskaya Pravda continue," it is primarily because just over the last seven years the number of the organization's members has grown tenfold, and the Russian Orthodox Church, like any hierarchical organization, doesn't like competitors."      (tough noogies) 

Early in 1999 when the court case against the Witnesses was again reopened, it received worldwide attention.  A New York Times headline of February 11 read:  "Moscow Court Weighs Jehovah's Witnesses Ban."  The article noted:  "The case now before a Moscow civil court, heard in a small courtroom, is being closely watched by religions and human rights groups as the first significant attempt to use the [Law of Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations] to restrict worship."  

Lyudmila Alekseyeva, president of the International Helsinki Federation, explained why the Witnesses trial was being closely watched. She said that if those who are trying to suppress Jehovah's Witnesses "are successful in this case," then "they feel free to attack other groups" that are also characterized  as nontraditional religions.  The trial, however, was suspended yet again on March 12, 1999.  But the following month, On April 29,m Russia's Ministry of Justice granted a certification of registration for the "Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia." 

Despite the recognition by the government, attacks against the Witnesses and other religious minorities have continue in Russia and other former  Soviet republics. Lawrence Uzzell, director of the Keston Institute in Oxford, England, noted that  "it always pays to watch the Jehovah's Witnesses" because what happens to them serves  "as an early warning signal." Indeed, vital religious liberties  for tens of millions of people are at stake!  

Note:  The reason why Jehovah's Witnesses usually succeed in this court system, is because God is  making it so, because they are serious teaching the Bible Truth, which is the Good News.  Why else would they succeed, if not for God's doing?  Some people out there, just like I use to be many years ago, are just too hardheaded to let the truth sink in.  I finally got a clue and I am very happy I did.  And have not regretted it since. I have been blessed to get/have Jehovah God in my life. 

Next time: WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF RELIGION? - The Attack Unjustified

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