Evacuated

@bruceq  "Has this been flagged as fake news?" Remember my comment soon after the original post was made? You acted very quickly to affirm this and well done to you.
I for one found all your press postings re background on the Russian trial of our brothers very useful and informative, especially those about Alexander Dvorkin's activity.
Such an emotive and contraversial a subject as that regarding the treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia is bound to draw all sorts of attention from friend and foe alike. This will of course include that of the fake news mongers, who exploit the heightened interest in a sort of duping excercise that ranges in level from that of schoolboy prank to downright slanderous lies.
Here's an example of a photo used in fake news that duped many to believe it was a picture of our 2017 Russian mail campaign letters, when in fact it pictures a completely unrelated and much earlier mail out as the context reveals!
Don't let a few misunderstood remarks cause you to take offence and withdraw your contribution to the Forum!

Has this been flagged as fake news?

Has this been flagged as fake news?

Interesting discussion, despite meandering off the original post. I suppose for me (in English), Jehovah doesn't need to plan. He has a purpose and it will be accomplished, regardless of any obstacle. That's what His name is all about.
He does provide frameworks to his intelligent servants on earth in order for them to work and share in acheiving His purpose. The population mandate, the plans for tabernacle and temple, the Law Covenant, the Christian mission, are just some examples, but He is not dependent on their success to acheive His own.
Men do need to plan in the sense of mapping a route to achieve an objective, which includes consideration and contingency. Even then, human purpose may still continue to be interrupted due to inadequacy, or unforseen circumstance, or even opposition. When these things occur, men can re-route, and/or even adjust their goal, but with no complete guarantee their (revised) plan will succeed in achieving that goal. Also, purpose unfulfilled could be not always because men plan to fail, but simply because they fail to plan.
Jehovah is not subject to any of these limitations. That is why He can say:
"So my word that goes out of my mouth will be. It will not return to me without results, But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight, And it will have sure success in what I send it to do." Isaiah 55:11

Interesting discussion, despite meandering off the original post. I suppose for me (in English), Jehovah doesn't need to plan. He has a purpose and it will be accomplished, regardless of any obstacle. That's what His name is all about.
He does provide frameworks to his intelligent servants on earth in order for them to work and share in acheiving His purpose. The population mandate, the plans for tabernacle and temple, the Law Covenant, the Christian mission, are just some examples, but He is not dependent on their success to acheive His own.
Men do need to plan in the sense of mapping a route to achieve an objective, which includes consideration and contingency. Even then, human purpose may still continue to be interrupted due to inadequacy, or unforseen circumstance, or even opposition. When these things occur, men can re-route, and/or even adjust their goal, but with no complete guarantee their (revised) plan will succeed in achieving that goal. Also, purpose unfulfilled could be not always because men plan to fail, but simply because they fail to plan.
Jehovah is not subject to any of these limitations. That is why He can say:
"So my word that goes out of my mouth will be. It will not return to me without results, But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight, And it will have sure success in what I send it to do." Isaiah 55:11

Even Miles Coverdale has the expression "eternall purpose" at Eph.3:11 along with many other English translations since, so perhaps longer?
This shouldn't really be a surprise. Didn't Jesus say of his disciples (as Miles puts it) "O ye fooles and slowe of hert to beleve all that the prophetes have spoke" Luke 24:25 (Principle of, of course).

Update:
ZAMOSKVORECHE COURT OF MOSCOW REFUSES TO CANCEL SUSPENSION OF ACTIVITY OF ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IN RUSSIA
Portal-Credo.Ru, 24 April 2017
 
The decision of the Russian Ministry of Justice regarding the suspension of the activity in Russia of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) is legal, the Zamoskovoreche court of Moscow ruled on 24 April. The judicial proceedings were conducted against the background of the decision of the Russian Supreme Court to ban the activity of the Administrative Center of JW, which has still not taken effect.
 
A former employee of the press service of the Administrative Center of JW in Russia, Ivan Belenko, told the website of Kavkazskii Uzel that the Zamoskvoreche district court denied the Administrative Center. "This trial became less relevant inasmuch as it challenged the act of suspension of the activity of our organization back before the issuance of the decision of the Russian Supreme Court. The results of the review of our lawsuit in the Zamoskvoreche court could hardly have an impact on anything," Ivan Belenko noted.
 
Ivan Belenko recalled that on 5 April, on the first day of hearing the administrative case of the lawsuit of the Ministry of Justice in the Russian Supreme Court, a lawyer for the Administrative Center filed a petition to postpone the hearing until the resolution of the lawsuit in the Zamoskvoreche district court. However the petition was denied. "The filing of the lawsuit and its consideration in the Zamoskvoreche court could have had an impact if the Russian Supreme Court could postpone the hearings," Ivan Belenko added.
 
"In all likelihood, the decision of the Supreme Court for liquidating the Administrative Center that was adopted earlier impacted the decision of the Zamoskvoreche district court. And this is evidence of a dangerous trend—following the Supreme Court, lower courts may take a course of subsequently denying Jehovah's Witnesses the protection of their constitutional rights," stated lawyer Anton Bogdanov, who represented the interests of the Administrative Center in the trial in the Zamoskvoreche district court.
 
"However the Administrative Center is continuing to appeal the justice ministry's order. Inasmuch as by this order, which still is in effect, organizations were caused substantial losses and also deprived of the right to freedom of religious confession," Anton Bogdanov added.
 
Bogdanov said that the decision of the Russian Supreme Court "has already led to consequences for the Jehovah's Witnesses. Law enforcement agencies are already making attempts to extend the action of the Supreme Court's decision for liquidation of a legal entity to simple believers, creating hindrances to their confessing their faith."
 
According to their organization's data, Jehovah's Witnesses are registered and conduct religious activity in 240 independent or partially independent countries of the world. The total number of Jehovah's Witnesses in the world is 8.3 million persons, including about 170 thousand in Russia. (tr. by PDS, posted 24 April 2017)
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NOTICE THIS POINT FROM OUR BROTHERS: ""This trial became less relevant inasmuch as it challenged the act of suspension of the activity of our organization back before the issuance of the decision of the Russian Supreme Court. The results of the review of our lawsuit in the Zamoskvoreche court could hardly have an impact on anything," Ivan Belenko noted.

no it is not. it is confusing because we have multiple legal things going on at the same time in Russia and now they are all making the news
 this is an appeal from the Moscow District Court against Ministry of Justice and not an appeal to the Supreme Courts judgement.
The fact that this is now making more and more news is great for us as the JW Broadcast said about the "Witness" is is getting so every court ruling from anywhere in Russia is giving us all the more of a witness
As Jesus prophesied :"  And you will be brought before governors and kings+ for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations".+ MATT. 10:18

I do not recall an announcement on jw.org as to the fact that the "Great Tribulation has already started". I think that might have got the attention of many if so.
There is likely quite a history to understanding of the timing of the "great tribulation". JW Insider might be able to provide a synopsis of this.
My first recollection on this subject is what was said in the 1966 book Life Everlasting in the Freedom of the Sons of God which stated on page 357 para 29: "The "great tribulation" that Jesus Christ predicted in harmony with Daniel 12:l began in the year 1914 C.E.". Later in the book (page 371 para 54) it was stated "that Jehovah God had cut short the days of tribulation in the year 1918 to permit the sealing of the remnant of the "chosen ones" and the gathering of the "great crowd,".
This view has been considerably adjusted in the interim years.
Some recent discussion on jw.org regarding the great tribulation can be found here: 
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20130715/jesus-prophecy-last-days/
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20150715/rapture-anointed-great-tribulation/
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/gods-kingdom/promises/kingdom-enemies-removed/

Treacherous snake. This is why we need Jehovah on our side. We cannot win against against such devious enemies. They have no principles. We cannot fight a war on their terms. As our Brother Stephen Lett reminded us: 
Happy is the man who fears Jehovah........He will not fear bad news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Jehovah.   His heart is unshakable; he is not afraid; In the end he will look in triumph on his adversaries.  Ps 112 :1; 7-8.
Keep digging brother......
 

Arbitrary deletion perhaps, as I have experienced. I found my deleted posts under my profile. They seem to still remain there. I was miffed because I had received reputation as well 
It felt like the Russians had got me!  

Let's emphasize that this brave man was 73 years of age! I hope I get to study with him in the resurrection.

To all those who think "It can't happen here"- know that it will happen everywhere #jwrussia #jwban #JW #StopJWBan

HEY WE BOTH POSTED THE SAME SCRIPTURE AT THE SAME TIME LOL 

Treacherous snake. This is why we need Jehovah on our side. We cannot win against against such devious enemies. They have no principles. We cannot fight a war on their terms. As our Brother Stephen Lett reminded us: 
Happy is the man who fears Jehovah........He will not fear bad news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Jehovah.   His heart is unshakable; he is not afraid; In the end he will look in triumph on his adversaries.  Ps 112 :1; 7-8.
Keep digging brother......
 

: "17  No weapon formed against you will have any success,+And you will condemn any tongue that rises up against you in the judgment.This is the heritage* of the servants of Jehovah,And their righteousness is from me,” declares Jehovah.+ ISA 54:17
 7  He will not fear bad news.+נ [Nun]His heart is steadfast, trusting in Jehovah.+ס [Samekh] 8  His heart is unshakable;* he is not afraid;+ע [Ayin]In the end he will look in triumph on his adversaries.+ PSALM 112:7,8
18  And you will be brought before governors and kings+ for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations.+ MATT. 10:18

Arbitrary deletion perhaps, as I have experienced. I found my deleted posts under my profile. They seem to still remain there. I was miffed because I had received reputation as well 
It felt like the Russians had got me!  

Arbitrary deletion perhaps, as I have experienced. I found my deleted posts under my profile. They seem to still remain there. I was miffed because I had received reputation as well 
It felt like the Russians had got me!  

Russia's thugocracy!

I agree that this distinction is vital in understanding the Russian position in this matter. I would also suggest that confusion around understanding the application of this term is not limited to any particular group
Here's one of our standard definition for extremism:  the holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism. That already, (pardon the pun) seems a bit extreme in that it limits the position to political or religious views, and by introducing the term fanaticism, immediately evokes negativity in most minds. In fact, due to the actions of highly publicised and commented on groups, such as ISIS or Al-Qaeda in recent times, a very narrow and negative association with the term is now common in the popular perception.
I found this alternative definition by Drs. P Coleman and A Bartoli more rational: "Most simply, it [extremism] can be defined as activities (beliefs, attitudes, feelings, actions, strategies) of a character far removed from the ordinary." They add this caveat: "However, the labeling of activities, people, and groups as “extremist”, and the defining of what is “ordinary” in any setting is always a subjective and political matter." (Interesting White Paper attached).
Certainly, what is viewed as "ordinary" from a Scriptural standpoint by Jehovah's Witnesses will differ greatly from what is considered to be so by others outside of the faith, and not the least by those who, in Biblical parlance, are termed "the superior authorities". (Rom.13:1).
@JWInsider, I am looking forward to the comments from the Russian brother you mention if you are able to share.
9386_WhitePaper_2_Extremism_030809.pdf

It says: "The court called in five experts to examine the literature of the Jehovah's Witnesses".......and that was brfore dismissing the case!!!
How many experts does it take to identify extremism?????

I agree that this distinction is vital in understanding the Russian position in this matter. I would also suggest that confusion around understanding the application of this term is not limited to any particular group
Here's one of our standard definition for extremism:  the holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism. That already, (pardon the pun) seems a bit extreme in that it limits the position to political or religious views, and by introducing the term fanaticism, immediately evokes negativity in most minds. In fact, due to the actions of highly publicised and commented on groups, such as ISIS or Al-Qaeda in recent times, a very narrow and negative association with the term is now common in the popular perception.
I found this alternative definition by Drs. P Coleman and A Bartoli more rational: "Most simply, it [extremism] can be defined as activities (beliefs, attitudes, feelings, actions, strategies) of a character far removed from the ordinary." They add this caveat: "However, the labeling of activities, people, and groups as “extremist”, and the defining of what is “ordinary” in any setting is always a subjective and political matter." (Interesting White Paper attached).
Certainly, what is viewed as "ordinary" from a Scriptural standpoint by Jehovah's Witnesses will differ greatly from what is considered to be so by others outside of the faith, and not the least by those who, in Biblical parlance, are termed "the superior authorities". (Rom.13:1).
@JWInsider, I am looking forward to the comments from the Russian brother you mention if you are able to share.
9386_WhitePaper_2_Extremism_030809.pdf

What happened at a practical level is exactly that: "Russian government's actions targeting and repressing . . . Jehovah's Witnesses, under the pretense of combating extremism." At some level this happens in the U.S.A. too. A local police department used 9/11 funding to put in millions of dollars in surveillance equipment that floods our suburb, block by block, reaching into the back yards of law-abiding citizens. It can't be admitted to exist, and can't even be used in open courts to prosecute crime, but it is still used to help solve crimes and track crime. And it has been used indirectly for confiscation of property. But it is not used for anything related to extremism or terrorism. Other police forces bought more visible items: tanks and "battering rams" and  military equipment that can never be of much use in a low-crime suburb of 10,000 unless they all decide to start rioting against the next town over, I guess.
But I've asked a Russian brother to translate some interesting commentary internal to Russia, and I've talked to him about it. I'm hoping to get a better sense of what an average Russian citizen might feel about the JW situation. Or at least what various media outlets want us to think they are feeling, or, perhaps, what they are supposed to think about it.
I noticed that the usnews article links to an RT article, which has some comments that run in the same direction as what we are seeing in Russian "public" commentary.
Evidently, many Russian people are not linking the word extremism the same way all of us are. It is not linked with terrorism or violence, but merely "cult-like" behavior. If it's a "sect" like the "Scientologists" then it's extreme. As was shown in earlier comments in other threads on the subject, it's more about the control of lifestyle and life choices. Of course, this is still a load of hypocrisy, because all religions have a right to do this to some extent, and there is no such thing as "totlal control" which is the specter. Some people become fanatical and totally controlled in any religion or ideology. But there is no total control of a whole group of people.
It's probably the fear of choice that is driving this suppression of JWs and others, not the fear of total control. There is a fear that anyone, a poor person, a rich person, a less educated person, or even a scientist, can make a choice to leave the state-sanctioned religion and general ideologies. These persons, especially if it's your mother or son or cousin who converts to become a JW, can cause you embarrassment in a state that expects a high level of conformity among the class of people who work in government careers.
 
The US News article had this line: The Justice Ministry showed pamphlets from the group that it argued posed "a threat to health."
The link goes to RT here: https://www.rt.com/news/385539-jehovah-witnesses-ban-russia/ specifically these points:
 
Blood policy, education policies, mental health, and the idea that the "chief managing organization" takes marching orders from New York were points that were forefront in the minds of some Russians but did not come across in the review on JW Broadcasting. Evidently the lawyers had a hard time convincing the MOJ that they were really "autonomous."
I'll grab a few of the comments in English, before they disappear from the RT article (comments are not necessarily from Russians, however). Also, where the indentation worked it does not mean that these are dialogues; I left off the names but they are from random people even if appears these might be back-and-forth comments. Some are likely JWs:
 

Some of the ones I thought were most interesting already disappeared from another page I was tracking yesterday.
Edited to add a couple more:
Why? It is no secret that Russia has banned or made all foreign NGO's register as foreign agents, these guys are no different and there is more than just this lot coming under the same controls. The door to door activities may be seen as trying to openly subvert the population and with the US's history in doing so I can't blame them. I laugh when people say that it must be removed because its a western import. I think the only item in Russia that is not a Western import is the Vodka! lol
Not a good move. Jehovah's are known around the globe as pacifists. I'm sure Russia isn't going to be winning any points with the Human Rights Council when it starts persecuting them.
 

Good observation by the US state department that this action aids and abets the development of "extremism". So in falsley accusing and convicting Jehovah's Witnesses, they break the very same laws they accuse Jehovah's Witnesses of violating!

Isn't that the same as a big announcement? In any case, the exposure of wrong doings to children happens every time it is found out isn't it? And it has to be handled correctly. However, a certain form of confidentiality is always required in these cases, and it was never confidentiality that was questioned by the ARC, but the handling of these cases as respects a suitable environment for disclosure and the reporting of such to the police etc. Announcing names of pedophiles to the whole congregation has never been a recommended policy of any child protection institutions as far as I know. However, a pedophile may be put on a public pedophile list by the authorities and in this way the perpetrator may be known to all.
I would hope most Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that the organization is made up of imperfect people, and that there are individuals in the organization who are Jehovah's Witnesses in name only, who in their private lives and behind closed doors molest children, beat their spouses and do all kinds of other things despicable for a professed Christian. Yes, these people, if despite being found out, would remain unrepentant and remained in the congregation would indeed reflect negatively on the congregation and by extension the whole org. That is why people are disfellowshipped. To keep the congregations clean from such unrepentant wrongdoers. The problem is that some situations are difficult to prove. The unmarried sister who becomes pregnant is clear. (Although I know of a sister who got pregnant and apparently swore she didn't do anything). But the husband who hits his wife is a lot more complicated. And so is a pedophile who carefully grooms his victims.
The Russia situation is an entirely different thing and in all fairness cannot be compared to the above situation.
I would hope that a known perpetrator would not be protected under any circumstances, if by protected you mean being allowed to carry on abusing children and not being punished for his crime.