Question by Escape: Is there anything we can do to help the brothers and sisters in Russia and Azerbaijan?
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia are losing their property and their literature. This same thing happened 60 years ago to our brothers and sisters in Russia and they were forced to move to Serbia or go underground in Russia.
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Azerbaijan are also being mistreated. Recently, some brothers and sisters were sharing their literature, which was declared legal, and had it confiscated, having to pay a fine even though there is supposed to be religious freedom.
Is there anything we can do for our brothers and sisters in these lands physically? Prayer is a must, but is there anything extra that we can do to help?
Answers and Views:
Answer by sunshine
If there is anything more our brothers will let us know.
I know that the brothers finance the legal defence of such ones (and some of these cases have continued for years or even decades) so our contributions to the worldwide work can be viewed as a support. Otherwise, our preaching and informing others of the fine stand our precious brothers and sisters are taking draws attention to the fact that we have the truth and I’m sure is a source of encouragement to those in lands where our work is under restriction.
Jehovah God will sustain them and bring his vengence in his own due time. (Romans 12: 19) and just as during the years of political oppresion during the communist era the actual number of Jehovah’s witnesses increased, this present wave of persecution will only mean our numbers will rocket as honest hearted ones in these countries see the difference between armchair worshippers that ignore bible standards and true christians that obey Jesus.
The hundreds of thousands of native Witnesses in these lands aren’t going anywhere and cannot be silenced; the increase will continue there unabased. All of Jehovah’s people have full confidence in his saving powers and take courage.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Shaman Val says
Oh dear, what did they do this time to get kicked out. I live in Siberia, we have a no religious soliciting policy. Break the rules, it's bye bye. Religious people are free to practice their beliefs but they are not free to evangelize.
Practicing Shaman… quantum physics rocks.
Jabberwock says
They should be entitled to full legal rights not because they're JW, but because they're people. If rights are being abused, you could try contacting government foreign ministries, UN, human rights organisations, international legal standards bodies, or anyone who might be able to apply pressure on the respective governments.
Alas with Russia in its present political state I'd not be optimistic, but Azerbaijan may be more responsive to international pressure as it's more dependent on the international community.