TrueTomHarley

Jehovah will have His message preached to the extent He has foretold, there may be ways that reach those that have yet to hear, that we are unaware of.  Who would have thought, as recently as last year, that we'd be carrying out that preaching work using electronic means.
It is not outside of the realms of possibility to consider Jehovah able to 'know' how a person 'would' react had they heard the good news.  That's not what I'm saying will happen, I'm simply saying all things are possible with God, and some of those things may fall within the following scripture:  Isaiah 55:9 - "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So my ways are higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts"
That is what faith and knowing Jehovah results in, absolute conviction that what He has said He will do, His way.

My favorite is one of those Hollywood blockbusters of decades past—I think ‘The Ten Commandments.’ 
Early on the distressed Israelites complain that they don’t even know their God’s name.
Later on they are as happy as pigs in mud. They have learned it. It is ‘The LORD.’
 

I had my own experience of 30 years ago recounted to me by the one who was my companion at the time:
During one of the early pioneer schools, testing out what we had learned, we had been paired together. Upon my ringing the bell, the householder asked: “Are you Jehovah?”
”Oh, no,” I modestly replied. “I would never presume to call myself by the name of the Most High God. I am but a lowly servant of his, trying in my own imperfect way to serve him.” Thirty years later I ran across that companion again and she recounted how every time she reviewed it in her head, she was so impressed at my abject humility.
It never happened! She had reworked it in her head. Never trust urban legends.
What I had said when the good-natured woman asked “Are you Jehovah?,“ through the screen door, from the far-removed kitchen, for she was distracted in cooking, was: “Well—no, actually, I am not.” Whereupon she realized just what she had absent-mindedly said, and laughed uproariously at the joke. 
We did end up having a pretty good discussion, and maybe it is from that circumstance that my companion elevated me to near sainthood. I’m not really all that deserving of it.
 

Escaped the clutches of Cesar, did you?

In a previous incarnation, Cesar told me: “You keep out of my way and I’ll keep out of yours.”
That works well enough. Look—it’s the internet, not the congregation. There’s only so much one can do in coming together. You can’t even be sure that people are who they say they are.  It is enough that he settles on the side that is right, even if he does take a flamethrower to not just enemies, but even ones who would call themselves allies, though less rigid.
And as long as I’m at it, how about this one on Why Jehovah’s Witnesses do not respond to accusations:
https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/respond-to-accusations/
Don’t misunderstand. This is not a reproof to anyone. Or if it is, it is mostly to me. Probably I should mull over it more. But as Anna said, each one has his/her own specific reason for being here. It is safe to say that NO Witness here is typical, excepting only those who come, stick their toe in the water, make a comment or two, and then disappear, never to be seen again.

My favorite is one of those Hollywood blockbusters of decades past—I think ‘The Ten Commandments.’ 
Early on the distressed Israelites complain that they don’t even know their God’s name.
Later on they are as happy as pigs in mud. They have learned it. It is ‘The LORD.’
 

You'll get there Tom  

A hat trick no less 😄
 

Apollos needed to adjust what he knew, don't miss the point.  
Ah well, we'll be able to find out what Priscilla and Aquila taught him in the new system.  
Are you considered an apostate?  
I understand that my dedication and baptism identifies me as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization.  A reminder to work with God's spirit-directed organization.  If I call myself one of Jehovah's Witnesses, others will reach the conclusion that I'm associated with Jehovah's organization.

Rats! Caught in the act once more!
Very well. My bluster got the better of me. To clarify, only Srecko is going after God’s people with a machete. 4Jah is using a knife. And Witness, appropriately enough, is using a battle axe 

I am not sure that the principles you cite are the truly relevant ones here.
On the other hand, it certainly is true that they are not behaving perfectly. And it is certainly true that I am not exactly saying “Let Jehovah rebuke you” to them.
Are you really saying that you think these characters are yet part of the congregation?

Rats! Caught in the act once more!
Very well. My bluster got the better of me. To clarify, only Srecko is going after God’s people with a machete. 4Jah is using a knife. And Witness, appropriately enough, is using a battle axe 

Ah—a breath of fresh air, who handles herself well and is doubtless a loyal Christian. But I hope the breath reflects no naïveté. 
They are doing considerably more than chafing. They are going after Jehovah’s organization with a machete. They are not to be talked out of it. I have not seen one of them budge one iota In all the time I’ve been around. Just so that you should know that.
I can think of a way of cutting down on the minions. Not that you should, of course. That’s for you to decide, and I like your expressions. But know what you’re getting into.

Ah—a breath of fresh air, who handles herself well and is doubtless a loyal Christian. But I hope the breath reflects no naïveté. 
They are doing considerably more than chafing. They are going after Jehovah’s organization with a machete. They are not to be talked out of it. I have not seen one of them budge one iota In all the time I’ve been around. Just so that you should know that.
I can think of a way of cutting down on the minions. Not that you should, of course. That’s for you to decide, and I like your expressions. But know what you’re getting into.

Of course there are, how close was Judas to Christ.  Do you think someone who serves Jehovah 'completely' wouldn't be able to discern this?  The scriptures are replete with warnings concerning matters such as these.  Those of us both physically 'and' mentally in know this already.

All are dings, dents, scratches, and pothole damage acquired by driving the cramped and narrow road over the decades. All could have been avoided by leaving the car parked and doing nothing. None are the core teachings of JWs, the combination of such teachings that are found nowhere else.
The Name, the ransom, no trinity, no hell, earthly paradise, God’s kingdom as government, the preaching work, earthly resurrection, the reason God allows suffering explained—all core teachings that have been firmly in place for over a century.
Do you hold all of these core teachings? Do you hold any of them? Nobody knows what you believe. That absurdly long thread you started about money reveals nothing more than what you always reveal—an overriding desire to malign your spiritual betters. 
And just so as to establish that my piety equals yours, I will now cite an entire chapter of Zecharaih:
The word of Jehovah of armies again came, saying:  2 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘I will be zealous for Zion with a great zeal, and with great wrath I will be zealous for her.’” 3 “This is what Jehovah says, ‘I will return to Zion and reside in Jerusalem; and Jerusalem will be called the city of truth, and the mountain of Jehovah of armies, the holy mountain.’” 4 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Old men and women will again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each with his staff in his hand because of his great age.  5 And the public squares of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there.’” 6 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Although it may seem too difficult to the remaining ones of this people in those days, should it seem too difficult also to me?’ declares Jehovah of armies.” 7 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Here I am saving my people from the lands of the east and the west.  8 And I will bring them in, and they will reside in Jerusalem; and they will become my people, and I will become their God in truth and in righteousness.’” 9 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words from the mouth of the prophets, the same words that were spoken on the day the foundation of the house of Jehovah of armies was laid for the temple to be built.  10 For before that time, there were no wages being paid either for man or for beast; and it was not safe to come and go because of the adversary, for I turned all men one against another.’ 11 “‘But now I will not deal with the remaining ones of this people as in the former days,’ declares Jehovah of armies.  12 ‘For the seed of peace will be sown; the vine will produce its fruit and the earth its yield, and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remaining ones of this people to inherit all these things.  13 And just as you became an object of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you will become a blessing. Do not be afraid! Let your hands be strong.’ 14 “For this is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘“Just as I had determined to bring calamity on you because your forefathers made me indignant,” says Jehovah of armies, “and I felt no regret,  15 so at this time I have determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not be afraid!”’ 16 “‘These are the things you should do: Speak the truth with one another, and the judgments in your gates must promote truth and peace.  17 Do not scheme calamity against one another in your hearts, and do not love any false oath; for these are all things that I hate,’ declares Jehovah.” 18 The word of Jehovah of armies again came to me, saying:  19 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth month, the fast of the seventh month, and the fast of the tenth month will be occasions for exultation and joy for the house of Judah—festivals of rejoicing. So love truth and peace.’ 20 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘It will yet come to pass that peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will come;  21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to those of another and say: “Let us earnestly go to beg for the favor of Jehovah and to seek Jehovah of armies. I am also going.”  22 And many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek Jehovah of armies in Jerusalem and to beg for the favor of Jehovah.’ 23 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘In those days ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will take firm hold of the robe of a Jew, saying: “We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.”’”

All are dings, dents, scratches, and pothole damage acquired by driving the cramped and narrow road over the decades. All could have been avoided by leaving the car parked and doing nothing. None are the core teachings of JWs, the combination of such teachings that are found nowhere else.
The Name, the ransom, no trinity, no hell, earthly paradise, God’s kingdom as government, the preaching work, earthly resurrection, the reason God allows suffering explained—all core teachings that have been firmly in place for over a century.
Do you hold all of these core teachings? Do you hold any of them? Nobody knows what you believe. That absurdly long thread you started about money reveals nothing more than what you always reveal—an overriding desire to malign your spiritual betters. 
And just so as to establish that my piety equals yours, I will now cite an entire chapter of Zecharaih:
The word of Jehovah of armies again came, saying:  2 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘I will be zealous for Zion with a great zeal, and with great wrath I will be zealous for her.’” 3 “This is what Jehovah says, ‘I will return to Zion and reside in Jerusalem; and Jerusalem will be called the city of truth, and the mountain of Jehovah of armies, the holy mountain.’” 4 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Old men and women will again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each with his staff in his hand because of his great age.  5 And the public squares of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there.’” 6 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Although it may seem too difficult to the remaining ones of this people in those days, should it seem too difficult also to me?’ declares Jehovah of armies.” 7 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Here I am saving my people from the lands of the east and the west.  8 And I will bring them in, and they will reside in Jerusalem; and they will become my people, and I will become their God in truth and in righteousness.’” 9 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words from the mouth of the prophets, the same words that were spoken on the day the foundation of the house of Jehovah of armies was laid for the temple to be built.  10 For before that time, there were no wages being paid either for man or for beast; and it was not safe to come and go because of the adversary, for I turned all men one against another.’ 11 “‘But now I will not deal with the remaining ones of this people as in the former days,’ declares Jehovah of armies.  12 ‘For the seed of peace will be sown; the vine will produce its fruit and the earth its yield, and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remaining ones of this people to inherit all these things.  13 And just as you became an object of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you will become a blessing. Do not be afraid! Let your hands be strong.’ 14 “For this is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘“Just as I had determined to bring calamity on you because your forefathers made me indignant,” says Jehovah of armies, “and I felt no regret,  15 so at this time I have determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not be afraid!”’ 16 “‘These are the things you should do: Speak the truth with one another, and the judgments in your gates must promote truth and peace.  17 Do not scheme calamity against one another in your hearts, and do not love any false oath; for these are all things that I hate,’ declares Jehovah.” 18 The word of Jehovah of armies again came to me, saying:  19 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth month, the fast of the seventh month, and the fast of the tenth month will be occasions for exultation and joy for the house of Judah—festivals of rejoicing. So love truth and peace.’ 20 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘It will yet come to pass that peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will come;  21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to those of another and say: “Let us earnestly go to beg for the favor of Jehovah and to seek Jehovah of armies. I am also going.”  22 And many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek Jehovah of armies in Jerusalem and to beg for the favor of Jehovah.’ 23 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘In those days ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will take firm hold of the robe of a Jew, saying: “We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.”’”

A Russian judge on Friday imposed an eight-year suspended prison sentence for a 24-year-old Jehovah’s Witness and a seven-year suspended sentence for his 27-year-old wife, capping a week that marked some relief amid continued persecution for the faith in Russia.
An international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses expressed gratitude that “this young couple will not need to be separated by prison bars” after the judge’s decision in Kostroma, 200 miles northeast of Moscow. The conviction comes a day after another judge in Ulyanovsk, on the Volga River, convicted six members of the persecuted faith. Those sentences were also suspended.
“We are pleased that they were not imprisoned. Yet it remains a gross injustice for them to be convicted simply for their peaceful Christian worship,” said Jarrod Lopes, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, in a statement.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/9/climactic-week-for-jehovahs-witnesses-in-russia/

His murderous crusade ended on July 21, 1985 when he blew up the Jehovah’s Witnesses hall at Casula in southern Sydney, killing Graham Wykes and seriously injuring 13 others.
“He‘s had 35 years of life. That’s 35 years my husband didn’t have. Nothing makes up for that, but I’m pleased with the outcome,” Mr Wykes’ ex-wife Joy said outside court.
Of the 71 parishioners who were hospitalised, 16 were children and five were babies.
Warwick targeted the congregation because some of its members helped Ms Blanchard move out of Sydney to the NSW mid-north coast.
“In a final act of unspeakable evil, (Warwick) then sought to wreak revenge on innocent members of the Lurnea congregation,” Justice Garling said.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/breaking-news/family-court-bomber-leonard-warwick-sentenced-to-life/news-story/f166dd276da851e8dc8355a511f71ba1

As far as I am concerned, that Wiki article (I assume this is the source—if not, it is exactly what they do these days) is a prime example of what co-founder Larry Sanger complained about —that it is no longer unbiased. It is also the first example I have seen of that unbias going beyond politics. (Granted, I don’t pay overly much attention).
Here the bias is to reinforce the anti-cultists. The goal is to discredit Introvigne. Nothing stated is incorrect (probably) but if Sanger’s complaint hold true in scenarios other that pure political, one side is developed in minute detail, and whoever attempts to develop the other side is overwhelmed, or even overruled. 
There are certain hot areas that continually go back and forth on Wiki. One fellow commented on my blog to the effect that he regularly updated Wiki posts about JWs to keep them “right”, and he had to do it constantly because opposers would change them right back to their hot-button issues. I got the impression that that was his assignment, but I could be wrong—he may just have been an independent apologist. At any rate, he was worried that I immerse myself into these things too much and that it would be wearing on me because among them are so many slimeballs. But as it turns out, I don’t immerse myself. Witness prays that I will read all the negative Reddit comments. In fact, I have read some—not yet on the topic she eagerly thinks she has dirt on, but there are no end of such topics, and I have read some. I even have a Reddit presence, r/truetomharley, but I have tired of it.
I don’t think I have ever seen a complete video production, mostly because they are so self-important or tedious or malevolent that the first minute is a turnoff. Rarely do I sample them, and when I do, rarely do I get beyond a minute. It is my own bias—one can read in a minute what some smug and pedantic boor will take 30 to develop. 
Wiki has its place, but it has long fallen from its unbiased perch. Maybe the best way to appreciate its silly underbelly, which increasingly threatens to become the main event, is to look up an obscure historical figure, and find there two or three paragraphs. And then look up a television series and see every single episode written up in endless detail, often meriting a page of it own. How much of Mr. Ed does one need?

The key here is to take one of Jack’s petulant posts and refashion it into something worthwhile.

Did you really send this silly letter to him?
Perhaps not, but in that case it testifies to an entire movement of ones with the unique qualifications of copy and paste ability, ax-grinding, and a peculiar manner of citing vast swaths of verse while making no specific application of them—sort of like a surgeon tossing all his instruments at the patient and thereby imagining his job is done.
Anyone reading this ridiculous letter would imagine Morris launching into a wide-eyed, wild-eyed, maniacal Howard Bealesque rant, veritably frothing at the mouth as works himself up. Why didn’t you link to it? Had you done so, one would see him murmur through words that he obviously has not chosen in advance, the way he always does, and looking quizzically at the match he has just blown out, as though surprised himself at how easily it is extinguished by a puff. 
I’m willing to let the talk stand exactly as it is:
https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/LatestVideos/pub-jwb_202009_11_VIDEO
He starts with a line of how he likes to keep up with the news, nevertheless after watching just a few minutes recently, he said: “That’s enough.” Sure—take the opposite side of that one, if you like. Tell him that even in 2020, the year that the term “doomscrolling” was coined, that all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.
Does he refer to apostates as “despicable”? Well, you must remember the words of Anton Chivchalov, keeping up with actions of the Russian Supreme Court:
“The active participation of apostates in the trial against Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Russian Supreme Court is a vivid example of their unprincipled and indiscriminate cooperation with anyone, if only against us. And I’m not talking here about how incompetent and preposterous this participation was (none could testify anything about extremism). Only emotions, zero facts...
“But this activity is also utterly immoral, since they want to send innocent people to jail. They are not sincerely misled, like many others. No, apostates are well aware that Jehovah’s Witnesses neither killed nor rob anyone, yet they are happy to prosecute us on criminal charges”
The treachery of these apostates has gone beyond what Anton envisioned. Witnesses have not only been jailed, but have been tortured. When you release the hounds of hell, you find you cannot control just how or who they will maul. And these are your soul-mates. These are ones doing whatever they must to realize your dream come true:
The verses that come to mind are those of the transgressing slave who has been forgiven so much by the Master. Rather than imitate that pattern in dealing with his fellow slaves, he forgives not a whit, and treats them as harshly as his Master did he mercifully. So it is with “apostates.” Unwilling to conform to teachings of the Master, and pushing their disobedience to the point of getting bruised, they are now on a vengeful search and destroy mission.
And since you yourself set the pattern of citing acres of verse without application, simply taking for granted that they prove your point, oblivious that they do not (where did you learn that “teaching” technique?), I will do the same. Here are some Bible passages regarding apostates. See if you can find the love that you seem to assume should be there:
However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among you. These will quietly bring in destructive sects, and they will even disown the owner who bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves.  2 Furthermore, many will follow their brazen conduct, and because of them the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively.  3 Also, they will greedily exploit you with counterfeit words. But their judgment, decided long ago, is not moving slowly, and their destruction is not sleeping. 4 Certainly God did not refrain from punishing the angels who sinned, but threw them into Tarʹta·rus, putting them in chains of dense darkness to be reserved for judgment.  5 And he did not refrain from punishing an ancient world, but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others when he brought a flood upon a world of ungodly people.  6 And by reducing the cities of Sodʹom and Go·morʹrah to ashes, he condemned them, setting a pattern for ungodly people of things to come.  7 And he rescued righteous Lot, who was greatly distressed by the brazen conduct of the lawless people—  8 for day after day that righteous man was tormenting his righteous soul over the lawless deeds that he saw and heard while dwelling among them.  9 So, then, Jehovah knows how to rescue people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people to be destroyed on the day of judgment,  10 especially those who seek to defile the flesh of others and who despise authority.Daring and self-willed, they are not afraid to speak abusively of glorious ones,  11 whereas angels, although they are greater in strength and power, do not bring against them an accusation in abusive terms, out of respect for Jehovah.  12 But these men, like unreasoning animals that act on instinct and are born to be caught and destroyed, speak abusively about things of which they are ignorant. They will suffer destruction brought on by their own destructive course,  13 suffering harm as their reward for their own harmful course.They consider it pleasurable to indulge in luxurious living, even in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes who revel in their deceptive teachings while feasting together with you.  14 Their eyes are full of adultery and are unable to desist from sin, and they entice unstable ones. They have a heart trained in greed. They are accursed children.  15 Abandoning the straight path, they have been led astray. They have followed the path of Baʹlaam the son of Beʹor, who loved the reward of wrongdoing,  16 but was reproved for his own violation of what was right. A voiceless beast of burden speaking with a human voice hindered the prophet’s mad course. 17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a violent storm, and the blackest darkness has been reserved for them.  18 They make high-sounding statements that are empty. By appealing to the desires of the flesh and with acts of brazen conduct, they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error.  19 While they are promising them freedom, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for if anyone is overcome by someone, he is his slave.  20 Certainly if after escaping from the defilements of the world by an accurate knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they get involved again with these very things and are overcome, their final state has become worse for them than the first.  21 It would have been better for them not to have accurately known the path of righteousness than after knowing it to turn away from the holy commandment they had received.  22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog has returned to its own vomit, and the sow that was bathed to rolling in the mire.”
 

When the knock came at the door at six in the morning, Sergei and Maria Silaev feared the worst.
The couple first thought it was the Russian police, coming to arrest them for being Jehovah’s Witnesses.
But it was the upstairs neighbour, telling them there was a water leak above their apartment.
They were relieved, but after that had many anxious nights. "I couldn’t sleep," said Maria. From that moment on they knew they needed to leave Russia.
The Silaevs life changed in 2017 when the Russian Supreme Court labelled their church an extremist organization and banned all Jehovah’s Witnesses organizations and gatherings in that country — a ruling that forced them, and other members, to go underground and meet in secret in their homes.
Although no official reasons have been given for the persecution, it could be because members of the church are pacifist, refuse to serve in the military, don’t vote, and won’t salute the flag or take part in other nationalistic displays of loyalty.
According to Human Rights Watch, Russian authorities have carried out at least 780 house raids since 2017 in more than 70 towns and cities across Russia.
Altogether, more than 300 Jehovah’s Witnesses have been charged, are on trial, or have been convicted of criminal "extremism" for practising their faith. At least 32 are in prison, with sentences ranging from two to six years for leading or participating in church meetings. There are allegations of torture.
"For Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, practising their faith means risking their freedom," said Rachel Denber, deputy director of Human Rights Watch for Europe and Central.
The Silaevs decided not to wait to see if they would be added to the list of the accused and arrested.
In January they came to Canada as tourists, seeking refugee status after arriving. Soon after, they moved to Winnipeg to await a verdict on their claim. Speaking through a translator over Zoom, they shared their story with me.
The Silaevs who have no children, lived in Tver, a city of about 400,000 people 200 kilometres north of Moscow. Sergei, 29, worked as a maintenance supervisor; Maria, 27, was a hairdresser and also helped her husband in his work.
The effects of the persecution were felt gradually, they said, starting with a ban on the New World Translation, the version of the Bible used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The couple got rid of their printed version, but kept a copy on their computer.
This made Maria sad. "I enjoyed turning the pages and reading it," she said of her physical copy of the Bible.
Then there was a ban on door-to-door and street witnessing — a hallmark of the church, in that country and around the world.
Read more: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/faith/jehovahs-witnesses-flee-russia-572391362.html

One does get the sense that things are coming together quickly. Let me throw just one more bit of speculation into the pot, so that, in case it happens, I will be able to bill myself as a true prophet.
The entire network evening news yesterday consisted of Trump leaving the hospital, flying to the White House via helicopter, and then, just when the news would be signing off—there is was standing framed by the White House door, saluting, and (gasp) removing his mask with defiance. All the whlle the media, who hate him, and who hate the idea of being upstaged by him, must cover him thoroughly and are reduced to saying banal things about projecting strength and such.
”Look, the Man!” I just know that somewhere the evangelical types are going to be saying. I haven’t seen it yet, but it probably is occurring.
And if he dies? I’ll bet you anything he has that base covered to, with a statement, maybe even prerecorded, of going into the great beyond triumphantly and without fear. “Look, we’re mortal,” he will say. Death happens at present. However, I have conquered death. The latter five words will not be his, but if the churchy folks say “Look, the Man!” while he is alive, what will they say when he is dead?
This works on so many levels to satisfy “his base.” His enemies in the press are almost always atheist, or at least heavily skeptic. For them, this life IS all there is, and suddenly they are very interested in stories about 70+ year-olds who initially felt find, but then dropped dead. But his base—whoa—who knows what sort of blasphemous comparisons they might make, elevating a national leader to someone else who gave his life so that others could live without fear.
AlanF, that troll, carried on and on about the “Devil’s deal” between the churches and the President, ignoring, as trolls always do, that it is universal in politics and that his side does the same. I think of John F Kennedy, who faced huge odds gaining the Presidency because he was Catholic. “I don’t know why they make such a fuss over my being Catholic, he said to aides. It’s not as though I’m a very good one.”

A group of 50 religion scholars from around the world is calling on President Vladimir Putin and his administration to end the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.
The scholars' statement, released Thursday, follows the Center for Studies on New Religions’ one-day conference, “Jehovah’s Witnesses and Their Opponents: Russia, the West, and Beyond,” held online from Vilnius, Lithuania, in early September.
“As institutions and individuals concerned with religious freedom, we have followed the events in Russia with increasing alarm,” the CESNUR statement reads.
Among those events is a reported armed raid of 110 homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia’s Voronezh region in July that the scholars call the “largest number of coordinated raids on Jehovah’s Witnesses in modern Russia” and an “escalation” in the persecution of Witnesses in the country.
More than 170 Jehovah’s Witnesses have reportedly been imprisoned or put in pre-trial detention in Russia since 2017 for practicing their faith.
https://www.sightmagazine.com.au/news/17366-scholars-call-out-putin-and-the-escalation-of-persecution-against-jehovah-s-witnesses-in-russia
https://www.cesnur.org/2020/jehovahs-witnesses-statement.htm