Witnesses put on brave face

JEHOVAH’S Witnesses say they will not throw in the towel as they face increasing pressure from governments, particulalry in Europe and Asia. Kazakhstan is the latest country to impose penalties on the denomination, with authorities there instituting a three-month suspension and US$2 107 fine on operations of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Almaty branch.

Russia recently found the church guilty of inciting religious hatred.

Jehovah’s Witness’ Superintendent of Ministers in Zimbabwe, Mr John Hunguka, said: “We are not moved or disturbed, the reason being what happened in Russia is like a replayed match in which you know the results.

“These bans have been imposed in many countries before. Germany did it in the Second World War where over 100 000 witnesses were killed.

“In Malawi there were witnesses also under ban but its over. Now we have more witnesses there than before. In Mozambique our members were put in such camps but today have freedom to worship.

“In the USA our members were banned and many court cases recorded during World War II. Our members were persecuted because of the neutral stance we take in politics. Many were killed in USA and Canada but today there is freedom of worship.”

Russia’s Supreme Court recently branded Jehovah’s Witnesses an extremist organisation under the Federal Law on Counteracting Extremist Activity, and some of their publications were put on a list of banned literature.

Mr Hunguka said branches worlwide were holding a convention to encourage disheartened members through programmes themed “Don’t Give Up”.

“We will be discussing these issues which could have disheartened people and how we move forward,” he said.

Locally the programme is being held at 29 venues around Zimbabwe, and members are being encouraged to invite non-Witnesses.

While some have complained about unannounced home visits by Witnesses, Mr Hunguka said people were not forced to entertain them.

“If people are busy they are free to say so and our members will leave. We do these visits because through the responses we receive, we have got many who expressed interest in learning about the Bible. But we do not force people. We look for individuals who want to learn about the Bible,” he said. The conventions, conducted in seven languages, run in a programme divided into 52 parts.

Said Mr Hunguka, “Our convention this year will benefit both Witnesses and non-Witnesses because it promises to empower individuals not only to keep enduring but also to cope with challenges productively.”

An estimated 2 500 people are expected to attend the Bible-based programmes at the Harare Assembly Hall every weekend.

Last year the conventions were reported to have attracted 13 million people worldwide.