The last word of Galina Alekseevna Kobeleva

 RUSSIA 

The last word of Galina Alekseevna Kobeleva

October 18, 2022

Primorsky KraiO.

From the courtroom

Dear Court,

Despite the threatening wording of the accusation, in my last word I want to remind you for what specific actions the state prosecutor asks to find me guilty and convict me. I am being asked to be recognized as an extremist only because I talked about the Bible with a citizen of Murmkov.Yu. and also because I profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. If we assume that I would profess a different religion, for example Orthodoxy, then my conversations about the Bible with citizen V.Y. Grimko would be considered legitimate by the prosecution. And the whole accusation was based on this erroneous judgment. Throughout the trial, I pondered the question: how do I, as a Jehovah's Witness, differ from representatives of other religions? And why am I forbidden to do what others are allowed to do?

While attending court sessions, I repeatedly heard the question: "What is the difference between the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses and other religions?" In fact, there are a lot of differences. But today I will tell you about two of them, especially since they explain why I came to V.Y. Grimko and talked with him, referring to the Bible.

The first difference. The Bible is a reference point in the worship of God for Jehovah's Witnesses. In John 17, chapter 17, verse 17, Jesus Christ said to God, "Your word is the truth." The truth is in God's Word, the Bible. Therefore, in the worship of God and in life, it is necessary to adhere to what is written in the Bible. I'll give you an example. One of the commandments recorded in Exodus 20, chapters 4 and 5 verses reads: "Do not make yourself an idol or any image of what is in heaven above, and what is on the earth below, and what is in the water below the earth. Do not worship them or serve them, for I am the Lord your God, a jealous God..." Jehovah's Witnesses follow this instruction and do not worship any images, especially since Psalm 113:11-16 says: "Our God is in heaven, doing whatever He wants. And their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; they have nostrils, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not touch; they have feet, but they do not walk; and they do not make a voice with their larynx his own. Let those who make them and all who hope in them be like them." It turns out that worshipping images is useless, since images are not seen, not heard, and, of course, cannot help. And in Isaiah 44, chapters 9 to 20, verses about images also say that they are useless and that the person who worships them is deceiving himself: "He is chasing dust, a deceived heart has led him astray, and he cannot free his soul and say: "Is not deception in his right hand "Taking into account all these scriptures from the Bible, it is impossible not to notice God's point of view on the question: is it necessary or not to use images in the worship of God. But some religions ignore this truth, replacing it with human commandments and traditions. If we worship God the way the Bible teaches and try to follow what is written in it, it brings God great joy and God's approval to us.

The Bible is the Constitution of God's Kingdom and the standard of truth, the author of which is God (2 Timothy 3:16,17). And therefore, no parliament in the world can change it even by a majority vote. And since it is written for all people on earth, that is why Jehovah's Witnesses try to worship God and live the way God wants and as it is written in his Word, the Bible.

The second difference. Jehovah's Witnesses, like first-century Christians, tell others about what Jesus taught. According to Matthew 28 chapter 19,20 verses, Jesus gave his disciples an important task: "Go and teach all nations… Teaching them to observe everything that I commanded you..." The first Christians themselves went to the people and preached in the square, in the market and in private houses. Today, Jehovah's Witnesses also preach Biblical truth wherever there are people and even here in court. Why are they doing this? They love their neighbors, that is, all people, and therefore spare no time and effort to carry the biblical message of hope and comfort. After all, everyone knows that a firm, reasonable hope gives strength to cope with difficulties and look forward to the future with joy. And this is so necessary for people now! And if Jesus said that it is necessary to preach, then I want to be obedient and act like the first Christians. That's why I came to V. Y. Grimko and offered to learn about God from the Bible. Christians of the first century were not extremists, and I, as a Jehovah's Witness, did not commit anything extremist. After all, being a Jehovah's Witness is not a crime!

Jehovah's Witnesses have been living in Russia for more than 100 years. And most of this time they practice their faith without those mPOS (local religious organizations) — legal entities that appeared in the late 1990s and existed for less than 20 years. In 2017, these legal entities were liquidated. And what is the result? The rights of ordinary citizens to freedom of religion, which are enshrined in Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and which they used before the appearance of legal entities, began to be violated. The presence or absence of religious legal organizations does not mean the prohibition of all religion and, moreover, does not give grounds for criminal prosecution of citizens for their beliefs. And I would very much like the rights referred to in the Constitution of the Russian Federation to apply to all citizens of the Russian Federation and not act selectively.

Why are Jehovah's Witnesses being persecuted? The answer can be found in the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote in a letter to Timothy: "And all who wish to live godly in Christ Jesus (i.e., to serve God faithfully) will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Jehovah's Witnesses lead a highly moral lifestyle: they do not smoke, do not swear, do not abuse alcoholic beverages, they have strong, adulterless families, respect any government, and maintain Christian neutrality in matters of politics. Because this way of life is very disliked by the enemy of God, the Devil, who, according to the Bible, rules the whole world, therefore Jehovah's Witnesses suffer persecution.

Everything that is happening to me now in this court session has actually already happened in the history of our state. So, in April 1951, a campaign against Jehovah's Witnesses was carefully planned in the USSR, which was called Operation North. Jehovah's Witnesses at that time, as well as I am now accused of undermining the state system. About 10,000 Jehovah's Witnesses were forcibly exiled to Siberia without the right to return. Their houses and all their property were confiscated, and some were even deprived of their lives for believing in God, which did not fit into the framework of Soviet ideology. But none of them hated people in general, or even their persecutors. They remained Christians and law-abiding citizens. Jehovah's Witnesses worked honestly on collective farms and in industrial enterprises and posed no threat to the Soviet government. Also today, I observe the laws of our country, do not undermine security and do not threaten the integrity of our state, much less the constitutional order. How can I even do this, because everything I am accused of contradicts what my God Jehovah teaches me? Just as Jehovah's Witnesses were persecuted in the Soviet Union, unfortunately, this is happening now. But please note, dear court, in the early 1990s, Russia recognized the fallacy and illegality of the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses. The injured Jehovah's Witnesses were recognized as victims of political repression and fully rehabilitated.

Your Honor! One name was often heard here — Jehovah. Jehovah is the personal name of the Most High God and in the Bible, in most translations, it occurs in at least one place where it says: "The Lord is a man of war, Jehovah is his name" (Exodus 15 chapter 3 verse). Today I am in the courtroom practically because I am associated with this name, I am a Jehovah's Witness. But I declare with all responsibility that it did not even occur to me what I am accused of as a criminal. As a Jehovah's Witness, I always try to live and act in a way that does not discredit the holy name of God.

My faith in God means a lot to me. I didn't know anything about Jehovah's Witnesses until 1994. But I began to think about the meaning of life from a young age, because I saw how hard life was and that the final result of all this little joyful life was the grave. Of course, I didn't like it and always wished there was another, more positive way out. Therefore, when Jehovah's Witnesses offered me a Bible study, I agreed, hoping to find a logical and satisfying answer to this question in it. Why is it in the Bible? I have heard a lot about this book as wise and authoritative, and later, when studying it, I was convinced of this, having received evidence that it contains the wisdom of God, not people. At that time, I was already disappointed in the contradictory human wisdom regarding the meaning of life, seeing how much grief and injustice there was in my life, and in the whole world. And I intuitively, unconsciously sought wisdom and guidance for my life from above. And God Jehovah heard me and sent his servants, Jehovah's Witnesses, to me, who helped me understand his letter — the Bible. It turned out that this guide to a happy life was given by God a long time ago, but I did not know. I was so glad to get an answer not only to the question: what is the meaning of life, but also to many others. Studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, I began to understand what the name Jehovah means and why only the Most High God can bear this name, why people suffer and die, what happens to the dead, what the future awaits people, why the Bible and God can be trusted and much more. With this accurate biblical knowledge, my faith in Jehovah God and his promises to make the whole earth a paradise has been strengthened. This faith of mine was based not on the hypotheses and theories of imperfect people who are prone to make mistakes, but on the truth from the Word of God — the Bible, the author of which is God himself. This knowledge from the Bible gave me confidence and joy in life, gave me a firm, reasonable hope for a happy future without illness, old age and death. I have also found many true, loving friends who will never intentionally let me down or betray me. I also experienced for myself the words recorded in James 4:8: "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you..." I became convinced that you can have the same close relationship with God as with a good friend. I also saw evidence that Jehovah is the living God, and that he is always there for those who reach out to him.

Based on the received biblical knowledge about God, his qualities and purpose in relation to the earth and humanity, as well as on the basis of evidence that the Bible is a book from God and can be trusted, I deliberately made the decision to devote my life not to any organization, person or cause, but to someone who He gave me this life, to Jehovah God, promising to serve him and live in accordance with his will and norms, which is what he expects from everyone. And for this, I needed to change, and, as I learned from the Bible, I need to start with thinking. The Epistle of the Apostle Paul Ephesians 4:22-24 says: "Put aside the former way of life of the old man, who decays in seductive lusts, but be renewed by the spirit of your mind and put on a new man, created according to God, in righteousness and holiness of truth." The fact that all our actions are preceded by thoughts was also confirmed by Jesus Christ, saying: "But what comes from the mouth comes from the heart; this defiles a person, For evil thoughts, murders, adulteries... theft, perjury, blasphemy come from the heart: it defiles a person..." (Matthew 15:18-20).

Your Honor! I realized for myself that in order to please God and live in accordance with his norms and, accordingly, experience his blessings, I need to change my mindset. But how? In Philippians 4:8, the apostle Paul said: "Finally, my brothers, what is only true, what is honest, what is just, what is pure, what is kind, what is glorious, what is only virtue and praise, think about it." It turns out that I had to fill my mind not only with everyday thoughts (home, work, garden, etc.), but also with useful thoughts from the Bible for spiritual development. Therefore, I decided for myself to read the Bible daily and reflect on it, regularly attend worship services where we study the Bible, and share this biblical knowledge with people. This is how I learn to love people. To love even those who are hostile to me. It is not easy, but it is possible and within the power of everyone, because Jesus Christ said: "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44). The Bible teaches me to endure evil and not to speak offensively about anyone. And the more I read about it and think about it, the stronger the urge to be kind to all people.

Jehovah's Witnesses act kindly to people when they preach the good (or joyful) news from the Bible to people. It can be said that preaching is the calling card of Jehovah's Witnesses, since they are fulfilling the task of Jesus Christ all over the world: "And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the universe, as a witness to all nations; and then the end will come" (The Gospel of Matthew 24: 14). Why can we say that Jesus Christ gave this task not only to Christians in the first century, when he lived, but also to us? Yes, because Jesus said, "And then the end will come." So, during the end of this system of things, someone will preach the good news. According to the biblical prophecies that are being fulfilled before our eyes, we live in these days. But how should it be preached?

Some of Jesus' instructions are recorded in Matthew 10:12-14: "When you enter a house, greet those who are in it. If the house is worthy, let the peace that you wish for it come to it, and if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If you are not accepted anywhere and will not listen, then, leaving that house or city, shake the dust off your feet." A clear and precise instruction to talk to people at home about the good news, which I tried to do. But not for the purpose of involvement, as I am accused of, but to convey this message to those who are interested in it. And God Jehovah "attracts" people. Jesus also said this in John 6:44: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me attracts him..." It is absolutely certain that neither Jesus nor Jehovah authorized me to "attract" or "involve" someone. My goal is to testify to people and help those who want to learn about Jehovah God, remembering that everyone makes their choice consciously and independently.

Conversations with people on biblical topics, reading and distributing religious literature, attending divine services, singing songs, and praying are all a way of expressing my faith in God and worshipping him, and not actions prohibited by the Ministry of Education of the city of Lesozavodsk. And I cannot imagine how this peaceful worship of God can shake the constitutional order of the Russian Federation and be dangerous for others and for society as a whole. By reading the Bible and attending divine services, on the contrary, I learn to respect the government and its laws.

I am also accused of being a danger to the state and society, as I claimed that my religion was true. I would really like to see a believer of any denomination who would declare that his religion is not true. It's absurd! Everyone considers what they believe to be true.

All over the world, Jehovah's Witnesses are known as peace-loving people who have nothing to do with extremism. We follow the biblical advice to treat "all kinds of people" with respect, regardless of their religious beliefs (1 Peter 2:17). Jehovah's Witnesses have nothing to do with violence, do not take up arms and follow the command written in the book of Isaiah 2:4: "... And they will turn their swords into plowshares (plows), and their spears into sickles: the people will not lift up the sword against the people, and they will no longer learn to fight." For Jehovah's Witnesses, a close relationship with God and a desire not to upset him are so important that they would rather end up in prison than take up arms. This command of God "not to learn to fight" is so important for Jehovah's Witnesses that parents do not buy their children military toys (tanks, pistols, etc.) so that children do not learn to fight from childhood.

I am far from an ideal person. I have blunders and mistakes in my life, like all people, because we are all imperfect. But they are all incommensurable with what I am accused of today. Perhaps not everyone likes what I believe in and how I express my views and beliefs. And someone fundamentally disagrees with me. But if you think that someone is doing something differently from many people, not in the way that is customary for others, but at the same time without breaking the laws, without harming anyone, will they be judged for this as a criminal and an extremist? Unlikely. And today they judge me and want to brand me with this word only because I believe in Jehovah God, pray to him and am a believing Jehovah's Witness. It's very sad if that happens.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you, Your Honor, the distinguished Public Prosecutor and the Secretary for your hard work. Being impartial and honest is really not easy nowadays. Special thanks to my defender Galina Vladimirovna for her caring attitude to her work.

Your Honor! My conscience is clear. I have not committed any crime in front of people, the state, or God. Therefore, hoping for your impartiality, I ask you to acquit me.

With respect,

Defendant Kobeleva G. A.

Summary of the case

Region:

Primorsky Krai

Locality:

Lesozavodsk

What is suspected:

According to the investigation, "E. A. Grinenko assisted in organizing meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses in Lesozavodsk, acted as a coordinator"

Criminal case number:

12102050013000012

Case initiated:

May 12, 2020

The current stage of the case:

The verdict has entered into force

Investigates:

From the city of Lesozavodsk to the SU IC of the Russian Federation in the Primorsky Territory

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Case number in court:

1-60/2022 (1-375/2021)

Court of First Instance:

Lesozavodsky District Court of Primorsky Krai

Judge of the Court of first instance:

Sergey Galayuda.