The last word of the defendant Alexander Dubovenko in Crimea

 CRIMEA 

The last word of the defendant Alexander Dubovenko in Crimea

November 25, 2022

Crimea

From the courtroom

Speaking before the court, the believer noted: "Jehovah's Witnesses are mistakenly labeled as extremists. The task that our head, Jesus Christ, entrusted to us: "Go and publicly proclaim the good news and prepare disciples," would be impossible if we showed hostility to people."

Transcript of the court session in the Armenian City Court of the Republic of Crimea dated 11/25/2022 in the case 1-39/2022 on the charges of Dubovenko Alexander Fedorovich and others. of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Alexander F. Dubovenko: Your Honor, dear participants in the process. At the beginning of my last words, I would like to thank all those present, all those who were at this process and participated in one way or another. I was wondering where I should start my last word. And I decided that it was necessary to start from the very beginning of human history.

The Bible tells us that God created man perfect and settled him in paradise. The Creator created man so that he would live forever, give birth to children and spread his paradise home all over the earth. At that time, man knew who his God was, so there was no need for witnesses of the true God of Jehovah (Genesis 1:27, 28).

God gave man free will, but our forefathers made the wrong choice. They decided to be independent of God (Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:6). And although God is still perfect, just and pure, humanity has become sinful and unrighteous. Nevertheless, our holy God allowed only the temporary existence of sin and evil. The Bible shows that God's allotted time is running out. In order for humanity to know about this, he has kept his Word to this day.

Since most people do not know God, he commanded the faithful to testify about him. To such people, God says, "My witnesses... are you" (Isaiah 43:10). Our name, Jehovah's Witnesses, means that we are testifying about Jehovah.

But who is Jehovah? And what kind of name is that? I think it will be especially important and interesting for you, Your Honor, to find out, because you often mispronounced this name during the process, and it seems to have caused you some kind of internal protest.

Jehovah is the name that, as it comes from the Bible, Almighty God gave himself. This is a personal name, not a title, like God or Lord. In fact, anyone who has testified to the glory of God throughout history can be called a Jehovah's witness (Exodus 3:13-15; 15:3; Isaiah 43:10; Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18).

Previously, we were called Bible Researchers. But being a Bible researcher and being a Jehovah's Witness are not the same thing. A witness is a person who preaches any views and truths in which he is convinced. Therefore, in 1931 we became known as Jehovah's Witnesses. And we are proud of this name. Our name indicates that we are a group of Christians who proclaim the truth about Jehovah, the Creator of everything (Revelation 4:11).

We testify to others by our way of life and by sharing biblical knowledge with them (Isaiah 43:10-12; 1 Peter 2:12). And about the work we are doing, it is said: "And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole universe, as a witness to all nations" (Matthew 24:14). That is why the Bible, listing many faithful men of ancient days from Abel onwards, calls them "a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1). Famous people such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and David are among God's Jehovah's witnesses. Jesus Christ himself is called the first "faithful and true witness" (Revelation 3:14).

Imitating Jesus Christ, modern Jehovah's Witnesses adhere exactly to the Bible, no matter what it costs them. They did not create a new religion. They only follow what is said in the Old Testament, the Psalms and the Gospel — the books that are the foundation of true religion.

Jehovah's Witnesses always base their views on the Word of God. Here is one example from our modern history. At the end of the 19th century, several sincere people began to carefully examine the Word of God. They decided to stick to what the Bible teaches, even if it is at odds with the generally accepted teachings of the churches. Soon they began to tell the truth from the Bible to other people. For example, there is no hint in the Bible that a loving Father will torment people in a fiery hell. Would a normal loving father punish a child by holding his hand over a fire? This is absurd! God is our loving Father, he never thought of such an atrocity! The doctrine of the immortal soul is also not biblical. As stated in the book of Ecclesiastes 9:5: "The dead know nothing."

Your Honor, during the trial, you have from time to time wondered why we did not choose the "normal Christian" faith, but profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. But the word "Christians" comes from the word Christ, that is, they are those who follow the example of Jesus Christ and strive to act like him in everything. We, Jehovah's Witnesses, are Christians for the following reasons:

We try to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:21);

We believe that it is only through Jesus that salvation can be obtained and that "there is no other name under heaven given to people by whom we must be saved" (Acts 4:12);

When people become Jehovah's Witnesses, they are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18, 19);

We pray in the name of Jesus (John 15:16);

We believe that Christ is the Head who is given authority over all people (1 Corinthians 11:3).

We are convinced that Christianity is not limited only to going to church services once a week and following certain customs and traditions accepted in society. Is it not logical that the word "Christian" should indicate a way of life that reflects the views, values and norms of behavior that Christ taught in word and deed?

What was Christianity like at the dawn of its existence? Christianity is a way of life. Jesus told his followers: "You are my friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:14). Since the teachings of Jesus Christ affected all areas of his disciples' lives, they originally called their religion the "Way" (Acts 9:2). Soon after, they were "called Christians for the first time by the will of providence" (Acts 11:26). Their new name implied that they believed in Jesus as God's Son, who transmitted the will of his heavenly Father to mankind. This belief presupposed a way of life that was different from the generally accepted one.

Christ's teachings encouraged his followers to adhere to biblical norms, which meant avoiding "fornication, uncleanness, licentious behavior, idolatry, spiritualism, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, quarrels... drunkenness, carousing and the like" (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:17-24). The Apostle Paul reminded the Christians of Corinth that some of them had once done this. He then added, "But [you] were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

In his book The Emergence of Christianity, historian E. W. Barnes says: "Judging by the first official documents of the Christian movement, in general its adherents were highly moral and law-abiding. They wanted to be good citizens and loyal subjects, staying away from the evils and vices of the pagan world. They aspired to be peaceful neighbors and reliable friends. They were taught sanity, diligence and purity of morals. Against the background of prevailing depravity and debauchery, if they remained true to their principles, they were honest and truthful. They adhered to high standards of sexual morality: marriage ties were respected, family life was kept clean" (The Rise of Christianity). This is what it meant to be a Christian at the dawn of the Christian era.

In addition, the first Christians were distinguished by their zealous preaching activity. Christ commanded his followers, "Go and prepare disciples in all nations" (Matthew 28:19, 20). Jean Bernardi, a professor at the University of Paris (Sorbonne), noted: "[Christians] had to go and talk everywhere and with everyone. To speak on the roads and in cities, in squares and in houses. To speak regardless of whether they were accepted or not. To speak to the poor and the rich, burdened with their possessions. [...] They walked the roads, sailed on ships, reaching the ends of the earth."

Today, as in the first century, true Christians should differ in their way of life. Therefore, Jehovah's Witnesses try to adhere exactly to the prescriptions established by the first Christians. Their efforts to lead their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Bible do not go unnoticed.

Thus, the New Catholic Encyclopedia recognizes that Jehovah's Witnesses are known as "one of the world's religious groups distinguished by exemplary behavior." The Deseret News, published in Salt Lake City (USA, Utah), noted that Jehovah's Witnesses "strengthen family ties and educate hardworking and honest citizens." The newspaper also said: "The members of the organization live by strict moral standards. In their opinion, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, gambling, promiscuous behavior and homosexuality cause spiritual harm. They teach honesty and a conscientious attitude to work."

In addition, Witnesses take their duty to be zealous preachers very seriously. The New Catholic Encyclopedia says about them: "The main duty of everyone… this is to bear witness to Jehovah, proclaiming his coming kingdom. [...] To be a true Witness, you need to preach effectively in one way or another." As you can see, being a Christian means much more than belonging to one of the many Christian denominations. Jesus himself predicted the appearance of false Christians (Matthew 7:22, 23). Jehovah's Witnesses invite others to find out what Jesus taught and how he applied his teachings in life. To be a Christian is to know the truth and act according to the truth. Jesus said, "If you know this, then you are happy when you do this" (John 13:17).

However, in many ways we differ from other religious groups called Christian. For example, we believe that, according to the Bible, Jesus is the Son of God, and not part of the Trinity (Matthew 16:16; Mark 12:29). We do not believe that the soul is immortal, that there is any biblical basis for claiming that God tortures people in eternal fire, or that those who lead religious activities should have titles exalting them (Ecclesiastes 9:5; Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 23:8-10). We, Jehovah's Witnesses, are sure that we are true Christians.

Jesus loved his disciples very much, they were like family to him (Mark 3:35). Similarly, Jehovah's Witnesses around the world consider each other to be members of one large international family. That's why we call each other brothers and sisters (Philemon 1, 2). We are also obedient to the commandment "love all brothers" (1 Peter 2:17). Jehovah's Witnesses show love for their brothers in faith in a variety of situations, such as during natural disasters.

No one is born a Jehovah's Witness. Everyone decides for himself whether to become a Witness. Honestly examining the Word of God, a person finds the truth in it and on this basis dedicates himself to the true God, whose name is Jehovah.

Jehovah's Witnesses are mistakenly labeled as extremists. The task that our head, Jesus Christ, entrusted to us — "go and publicly proclaim the good news and prepare disciples" — would be impossible if we showed hostility to people, to themselves or to their beliefs!

I would like you, Your Honor, to understand that Jehovah's Witnesses are respectable citizens who live and carry out their God—pleasing activities not according to the charter of the Local Christian Religious Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses in Armyansk, but according to the highest Charter, which for each of us is the Bible.

Here are some fundamental and vital principles for us.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not fight

They are obedient to God. The Bible says that the servants of God "will turn their swords into ploughshares and ... will no longer learn to fight" (Isaiah 2:4).

They are obedient to Christ. Jesus told the Apostle Peter: "Put your sword back in its place, because all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). In this way, Christ showed that his followers would not take up arms. The disciples of Christ follow his commandment to be "not of the world", observing strict neutrality in political matters (John 17:16). They do not protest against military actions and do not hinder those who decide to serve in the army.

They love people. Jesus told his disciples, "Love one another" (John 13:34, 35). In this way they were to form a worldwide brotherhood in which no one would fight against their brothers and sisters (1 John 3:10-12).

They imitate the example of the first Christians. The Encyclopedia of Religion and War says: "The first followers of Christ refused to participate in war and military service," recognizing that all this "went against the teachings of Jesus about love for his enemies." The German theologian Peter Meinhold spoke about the early disciples of Christ as follows: "It was believed that being a Christian and a soldier were incompatible."

Jehovah's Witnesses respect state authority

Jehovah's Witnesses are useful members of society and do not pose a threat to the security of the countries in which they live. We follow the Biblical commands: "Let every soul submit to higher authorities" (Romans 13:1); "Give Caesar's things to Caesar, and God's things to God" (Matthew 22:21). Therefore, we are law-abiding, pay taxes and contribute to the efforts of the state to take care of the welfare of society.

We believe that Christ is ruling now, as stated in the biblical book of Revelation 11:15, and the events taking place on earth confirm this. Jesus spoke about this before he went to heaven (Matthew 24:3, 7; Luke 21:7, 10, 11). The Revelation describes that Satan has been thrown to the ground and is in a great rage because he has little time left. Jesus will soon bring order to the earth as well.

Your Honor and everyone present, I am very proud that I could appear before you as a Jehovah's Witness, and not as a murderer or thief! It is a great honor for me to tell people the truth about God, and this truth is vital for people. I am sorry that someone wanted to slander us and it is a pity that slander affects people so much that often they simply have no desire to find out the truth. Jesus once said, "The truth of righteousness is realized by its works." So, no matter how hard they try to defame us, our good deeds, the qualities that our dear Father helps us develop, will destroy all the slander and thinking people will be able to draw the right conclusions.

All our activities, mistakenly attributed to us as criminal, were in fact nothing more than the exercise by us of our constitutional right to freedom of conscience and religion strictly within the framework of the Federal Law "On Freedom of Conscience and on Religious Associations" as participants in an unregistered religious group — the assembly of Jehovah's Witnesses "Armyansk". However, the prosecution did not even consider the very possibility of us carrying out such activities as members of an unauthorized religious group.

I urge you, Your Honor, to conscientiously and impartially fulfill your duty and pass a lawful and fair sentence. I ask you to justify us, because we have not sinned in any way either before God or before people.

Summary of the case

Region:

Crimea

Locality:

Armiansk

What is suspected:

"Acting as a group of persons by prior agreement... [held] meetings, religious performances, studied materials, attracted new members of the organization" (from the decision on bringing in as an accused)

Criminal case number:

12107350001000113

Case initiated:

August 2, 2021

The current stage of the case:

The verdict has entered into force

Investigating:

The Federal Security Service of Russia for the Republic of Crimea

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Case number in court:

1-39/2022

Court:

Armenian City Court of the Republic of Crimea

Judge:

Tatiana Fedeneva