Sent the following to my JW friends and contacts. Thought you might enjoy the read!....
ANYONE WHO IS WILLING TO HAVE 8 KIDS DESERVES A MEDAL!
You’ve probably already heard. A big Russian family just got a medal. Directly from Putin. And they happen to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. Here’s what it looks like:
It’s the kind of item JW’s tell their studies to destroy or discard with a certain revulsion. But wait, there seems to be a flash of new light!
The worldwide brotherhood is very excited. Brothers and sisters online are calling it an evident demonstration of God’s hand, Holy Spirit in action, and an answer to their prayers. One elderly witness wrote that, in her whole life, she had never seen such a clear demonstration of Jehovah’s Spirit. They are also crowing that it is a reaction to all the letters they sent, that Jehovah is manipulating or ‘playing’ Putin like a puppet, and are predicting a huge win in the next round with the Russian government.
No apparently, this is a really, really good medal! A tool Jehovah is using!
It’s not clear how the Governing Body learned about Valeriy and Tatiana Novik’s award but what is crystal clear is that they fully approve. They have proudly displayed the big story on their website and publicized it to news agencies.
(official JW.Org link)
In fact I think it is reasonable to say the JW.Org article is the source of all the excitement and the numerous thoughts and comments from the brothers and sisters online. The Governing Body’s message is very clear. They believe the Novik family’s medal is Jehovah’s way of helping them get their real estate back.
Witnesses seem to believe Putin is ‘after’ each of them and this miraculous medal story has tricked or manipulated him, or is evidence Jehovah has made him see the light. I suppose it never occurred to any of the JW’s that Putin really has nothing against them personally. Their lives and religious beliefs are of little concern to him or his government. As Russia’s has made pretty clear, their complaint or “radical extremism” concern is with the type of recruiting activity shown below.
I don't think Putin has been fooled by anyone or has changed his views, but then I could be wrong. I’m learning to accept I’m not a very good prophet. I was dead wrong about Trump LOL.
I also don’t believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are aware that these awards simply have to do with Russia looking towards its own future and nothing to do with Jehovah’s Witnesses and their family rearing skills. Russia is, without a doubt, extremely alarmed with the country’s slowing population growth. However it appears none of the celebrating brothers and sisters understands that the government believes encouraging Russian families to have lots of kids is preferable to encouraging immigration, which could bring a risk of radical religious ideas and cultural change to the country.
The reality is, this honorary medal is for producing future Russians and has a lot more to do with the 8 children than it has to do with being an exemplary family.
While I am somewhat amused with the Governing Body for, on one hand telling the brothers Jehovah is just not intervening in situations today and, on the other hand constantly pointing out His miraculous interventions with every new webpost and broadcast, I do have some ’more serious’ questions that leap into my mind.
The first (honor and glory): Don’t birthday celebrations pale in the ‘glory and honor’ comparison to getting an Honorary Medal directly from President Putin at an official governmental ‘medal party’? Isn’t JW.Org’s constant message: “don’t reach for glory and honor”? It’s even part of the witness reasoning behind the ‘do not pursue higher education’ rule. So does this change of viewpoint on receiving honor, and pinning it on your chest, indicate it’s now acceptable to honor someone worthy on his/her birthday? Can JW’s now have medal parties and wish each other “Happy Medal Day!” We really need to clarify this: Is honor from a banning, dictatorial leader to be classified as ‘approved by Jehovah’ while honor and appreciation from your friends and family is still considered something ‘wicked in his eyes’?
And second (pagan religious symbols): Why did brother Novik feel it was OK to attend this political ceremony and then accept this medal adorned with a pagan religious symbol? Did he fully reflect on the numerous Bible principles involved? If so, which ones? Did he consult his elders? Did they consult the Governing Body? Did the GB provide a reasoned Biblical analysis of the question? And, equally important, is the question of what Valeriy will do with the medal now? Throw it in the trash? Destroy it? Putting an honorary cross up on your wall or even keeping it in your drawer warranted a judicial committee just one JW.Org web article ago.
Anyhow, I’ll be waiting and watching to see if Jehovah is going to use a ‘glorious’, pagan, religious, symbolled medal to vindicate his name. And if He does, I think I’ll start wearing an ornate golden cross around my neck.
Just to be on the safe side. I wouldn’t want to question Jehovah’s ways and end up disapproved.
P.S. I just hope bro. Novik doesn’t get the idea to theorcraticize his medal and cut off the arms to make it into a stake medal. Or just throw it in the trash. ‘Cause if ever Putin decides to ask him to return the award, things could get ugly. After all, we are talking about the King of the North here. Or, does this still stand now. Not sure…anyhow I’m sure you get my concern. Think it would be safer to send it to the Governing Body, to be put in the glass case with the Telly awards. Putin sure can’t throw the GB in prison. And they can’t be disfellowshipped for possessing a pagan religious symbol either.