Isahluko 30

‘Ukuvikela Izindaba Ezinhle Nokuzenza Ziqashelwe Ngokomthetho’

UKUSHUSHISWA kanzima koFakazi BakaJehova kuye kwaphumela ekubeni baphoqeleke ukuba bame phambi kwezikhulu zamaphoyisa, amajaji, nababusi emhlabeni wonke. Amacala angokomthetho ahilela oFakazi aye abalelwa ezinkulungwaneni eziningi, futhi amaningi alawa aye adluliselwa ezinkantolo eziphakeme. Lokhu kuye kwaba nomphumela omkhulu emthethweni ngokwawo futhi ngokuvamile kuye kwaqinisa iziqinisekiso ezingokomthetho zokuthi abantu bebonke banenkululeko eyisisekelo. Kodwa lokhu bekungeyona injongo eyinhloko yoFakazi BakaJehova.

Isifiso sabo esiyinhloko siwukumemezela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Isinyathelo esingokomthetho abasithathayo abasithathi ngoba bengabaphehli bodweshu emphakathini noma bengabagqugquzeli bezinguquko kwezomthetho. Injongo yabo ‘iwukuvikela izindaba ezinhle nokuzenza ziqashelwe ngokomthetho,’ njengoba kwakunjalo nangomphostoli uPawulu. (Fil. 1:7, NW) Ukuqulwa kwamacala phambi kwezikhulu zikahulumeni, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi izicelo zenziwe oFakazi noma ngoba beboshiwe ngenxa yomsebenzi wabo wobuKristu, nakho kubhekwa njengamathuba okunikeza ubufakazi. UJesu Kristu watshela abalandeli bakhe: “Niyakuyiswa nangaphambi kwababusi namakhosi ngenxa yami, kube-ngubufakazi kubo nakwabezizwe.”—Math. 10:18.

Isikhukhula Emhlabeni Wonke Sesinyathelo Esingokomthetho

Esikhathini eside ngaphambi kwempi yezwe yokuqala, abefundisi, ngokucindezela izikhulu zezindawo, bazama ukuvimbela ukusakazwa kwezincwadi okwakwenziwa abaFundi BeBhayibheli ezindaweni zabo. Nokho, ngemva kweMpi Yezwe I ukuphikisa kwadlondlobala. Emazweni ahlukahlukene, izithiyo ezingokomthetho ezinhlobonhlobo zabekelwa labo ababezama ukulalela umyalo kaKristu ongokwesiprofetho wokushumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu ngenjongo yobufakazi.—Math. 24:14.

Beshukunyiswe ubufakazi bokugcwaliseka kwesiprofetho seBhayibheli, abaFundi BeBhayibheli baphuma emhlanganweni wabo omkhulu eCedar Point, e-Ohio, ngo-1922, bezimisele ukwenza izwe lazi ukuthi iZikhathi Zabezizwe zaziphelile nokuthi iNkosi yayithathe amandla ayo amakhulu futhi yayibusa emazulwini njengeNkosi. Isiqubulo sabo sasithi “Memezelani, memezelani, memezelani, iNkosi nombuso wayo.” Ngawo lowonyaka, abefundisi eJalimane bagqugquzela amaphoyisa ukuba abophe abanye babaFundi BeBhayibheli lapho besakaza izincwadi zabo zeBhayibheli. Lesi kwakungesona isenzakalo esasithukela senzekile. Ngo-1926, kwakunamacala anjalo angu-897 ayesalindele izinqumo ezinkantolo zaseJalimane. Kwakuzoqulwa amacala amaningi kangangokuba ngo-1926 kwadingeka ukuba i-Watch Tower Society imise umnyango wezomthetho ehhovisi legatsha eMagdeburg. Phakathi no-1928, eJalimane kuphela kwaba namacala angu-1 660 abekwa abaFundi BeBhayibheli, futhi ukucindezela kwaqhubeka kukhula minyaka yonke. Abefundisi babezimisele ukuwuvala umsebenzi wabaFundi BeBhayibheli, futhi babejabula lapho noma yisiphi isinqumo senkantolo sibonisa ukuthi ngezinga elithile babephumelela.

E-United States, ukuboshwa kwabaFundi BeBhayibheli ngenxa yokushumayela endlini ngendlu kwenzeka ngo-1928, eNingizimu Amboy, eNew Jersey. Kungakapheli neminyaka eyishumi inani laminyaka yonke lababeboshwa ngokuqondene nenkonzo yabo e-United States lalingaphezu kuka-500. Phakathi no-1936 inani laphakama kakhulu—laba ngu-1 149. Ukuze kunikezwe iseluleko esasidingeka, kwadingeka kube nomnyango wezomthetho nasendlunkulu yeNhlangano.

Umsebenzi omkhulu wokushumayela naseRomania wabhekana nokuphikisa okukhulu kweziphathimandla zangalesosikhathi. OFakazi BakaJehova ababesakaza izincwadi zeBhayibheli ngokuvamile babeboshwa bese beshaywa ngonya. Kusukela ngo-1933 kuya ku-1939, oFakazi baquliswa amacala angu-530. Nokho, umthetho wezwe wawuqinisekisa ngenkululeko, ngakho ukudluliselwa kwamacala eNkantolo Ephakeme yaseRomania kwenza kwaba nezinqumo eziningi ezazivuna. Lapho amaphoyisa eqala ukukuqaphela lokhu, ayethatha izincwadi abese ebaphatha kabi oFakazi kodwa azame ukugwema ukuhilela inkantolo. Ngemva kokuba ekugcineni iNhlangano isivunyelwe ukuba ibhaliswe ngokomthetho njengenhlangano eRomania, abaphikisi bazama ukubhuntshisa injongo yalokhu kubhaliswa ngokomthetho ngokuthola imvume yenkantolo eyayenqabela ukusakazwa kwezincwadi ze-Watch Tower. Inkantolo ephakeme yasichitha lesisinqumo, kodwa-ke abefundisi banxenxa ungqongqoshe wezenkolo ukuba athathe isinyathelo sokuvimbela ukuphumelela kwalesisinqumo.

E-Italy naseHungary, njengaseRomania, izincwadi zeBhayibheli ezazisetshenziswa oFakazi zathathwa amaphoyisa ayengaphansi kohulumeni ababebusa ngalesosikhathi. Kwenziwa okufanayo eJapane, eKorea, naseGold Coast (manje ebizwa ngokuthi iGhana). OFakazi BakaJehova bakwamanye amazwe baxoshwa eFrance. Eminyakeni eminingi abekho oFakazi BakaJehova ababenikezwa imvume yokungena eSoviet Union ukuze bashumayele ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu.

Njengoba umoya wobuzwe wawubhebhetheka emhlabeni wonke kusukela ngo-1933 kuya ko-1940, ohulumeni bavimbela oFakazi BakaJehova emazweni ahlukahlukene. Izinkulungwane zoFakazi zaquliswa amacala ezinkantolo phakathi nalenkathi ngenxa yokwenqaba kwazo ngenxa kanembeza ukushayela amafulege indesheni kanye nokuphikelela kwazo ekungathathini-hlangothi kobuKristu. Ngo-1950 kwabikwa ukuthi phakathi neminyaka engu-15 eyayandulele, kwakuboshwe oFakazi BakaJehova abangu-10 000 e-United States kuphela.

Lapho oFakazi abangaba ngu-400 bemangalelwa ezinkantolo zaseGreece enkathini emfushane ngo-1946, kwakungaqali ukuba kwenziwe isenzo esinjalo lapho. Sase siqhubeke iminyaka eminingi. Ngaphezu kokuboshwa, babehlawuliswa kanzima, okwakwenza abazalwane basale bengenamali. Kodwa lapho bebheka isimo sabo, bathi: “INkosi yavula indlela yokuba umsebenzi wokufakaza ufinyelele ezikhulwini zaseGreece, ezezwa ngokumiswa kombuso wokulunga; namajaji ezinkantolo aba nethuba elifanayo.” Ngokusobala oFakazi BakaJehova babheka isimo ngendlela uJesu ayethe abalandeli bakhe kufanele basibheke ngayo.—Luka 21:12, 13.

Impi Eyayibonakala Ingenakunqotshwa

Phakathi nawo-1940 nawo-1950, isifundazwe saseCanada iQuebec saba inkundla yempi ngempela. Ukuboshwa ngenxa yokushumayela izindaba ezinhle kwakulokhu kwenzeka kuleyondawo kusukela ngo-1924. Ebusika bango-1931, abanye oFakazi babeboshwa amaphoyisa nsuku zonke, ngezinye izikhathi kabili ngosuku. Izindleko zezomthetho oFakazi ababezikhokhiswa eCanada zaba zinkulu. Khona-ke, ekuqaleni kuka-1947 ingqikithi yamacala ayehilela oFakazi ayelindele izinqumo ezinkantolo eSifundazweni saseQuebec yafinyelela ku-1 300; kodwa, kwakuneqembu elincane nje loFakazi BakaJehova lapho.

Lena kwakuyinkathi lapho iSonto LamaRoma Katolika lalinegunya elinamandla okwakumelwe liqashelwe yibo bonke abezombangazwe nawo wonke amajaji esifundazweni. Ngokuvamile abefundisi babehlonishwa eQuebec, futhi abanye babekulalela ngokushesha okwakushiwo umpristi wendawo. Njengoba incwadi ethi State and Salvation (1989) yasichaza isimo: “Ukhadinali waseQuebec wayenesihlalo sobukhosi eMkhandlwini Wesishaya-mthetho eceleni kwesihlalo esasigcinelwe umphathi wombuso omiswa uhulumeni. Ngandlela-thile ingxenye enkulu yeQuebec yayilawulwa isonto ngokuqondile . . . Eqinisweni, umsebenzi wesonto wawuwukwenza ezombangazwe eQuebec zivumelane nombono wamaRoma Katolika wokuthi ubuKatolika yibona obuyiqiniso, noma yini engebona ubuKatolika iyiphutha, nokuthi inkululeko isho ukukhululeka ukukhuluma iqiniso lamaRoma Katolika nokuphila ngokuvumelana nalo.”

Ngokombono wabantu, izingqinamba oFakazi ababebhekene nazo hhayi eQuebec kuphela kodwa nasemhlabeni wonke zazibonakala zingenakunqotshwa.

Amacala Alo Lonke Uhlobo Olungase Lucatshangwe

Abaphikisi boFakazi babehlolisisa izincwadi zomthetho ukuze bathole noma yiliphi ibhaxa ababengabambelela kulo ukuze baqede umsebenzi woFakazi. Ngokuvamile babebamangalela ngokuthi babethengisa ngaphandle kwemvume, ngalokho bethi umsebenzi wabo owezentengiselwano. Ngokuphambene, kwenye indawo amanye amaphayona amangalelwa ngokuba ozulane abangasebenzi ngoba kwakuthiwa ayengasebenzeli inzuzo.

Amashumi eminyaka, izikhulu kwezinye izifundazwe zaseSwitzerland zaphikelela zizama ukuhlanganisa ukusakazwa kwezincwadi zeBhayibheli okwenziwa oFakazi BakaJehova nokuthengisa. Ummeli wombuso eSifundeni saseVaud sabakhuluma isiFulentshi, yena ngokukhethekile, wayezimisele ukuchitha noma iziphi izinqumo zezinkantolo eziphansi ezazivuna oFakazi.

Ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene, oFakazi BakaJehova batshelwa ukuthi kwakumelwe babe nezimvume zokusakaza izincwadi zabo noma ukuqhuba imihlangano yabo yeBhayibheli. Kodwa ingabe yayidingeka ngempela imvume? OFakazi baphendula bathi “Cha!” Ngasiphi isizathu?

Bachaza: ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu uyala ofakazi bakhe ukuba bashumayele ivangeli lombuso wakhe, futhi imiyalo kaNkulunkulu iphakeme kunayo yonke futhi ofakazi bakhe kumelwe bayilalele. Ayikho indikimba yasemhlabeni emisa umthetho noma eyenza umthetho ugcinwe engaphazamisa umthetho kaJehova ngokufanelekile. Njengoba engekho amandla abusayo ezwe angakuvimbela ngokufanelekile ukushunyayelwa kwevangeli, alikho igunya lasemhlabeni elinjalo noma umbuso onganikeza imvume yokushumayela ivangeli. Imibuso yasemhlabeni ayinagunya kulendaba nganoma iyiphi indlela. Ukucela kubantu imvume yokwenza okuthile uNkulunkulu akuyalile kungaba ukumhlambalaza uNkulunkulu.’

Amacala oFakazi ababebekwa wona ngokuvamile ayebuveza ngamandla ubutha obungokwenkolo. Ngakho, lapho kusakazwa incwajana ethi Face the Facts nethi Cure, umbonisi wegatsha leNhlangano eNetherlands wathola isamanisi lokuba avele enkantolo eHaarlem, ngo-1939, ukuze alandise ecaleni lokuhlambalaza amaDashi. Ngokwesibonelo, umshushisi wathi izincwadi ze-Watch Tower zazithe isigaba sabefundisi bamaRoma Katolika ngokukhohlisa sasiphundla abantu imali ngokuba sithi sizobakhulula endaweni abafileyo abangekho kuyo—esihlanzweni, incwadi eyathi iSonto alinakubuveza ubufakazi bokuthi sikhona.

Esebhokisini lowo owayengufakazi oyinhloko wesigaba sabefundisi, u“Fata” Henri de Greeve, wakhala: “Engikhala ngakho kakhulu ukuthi umuntu wangaphandle angacabanga ukuthi thina bapristi simane siyiqembu lezigebengu namaqola.” Lapho ebizwa ukuba azofakaza, umbonisi wegatsha leNhlangano wavula iBhayibheli lamaKatolika wabonisa inkantolo ukuthi lokho okwakushiwo incwajana ngezimfundiso zamaKatolika kwakuvumelana neBhayibheli lawo siqu. Lapho ummeli weNhlangano ebuza ude Greeve ukuthi angayifakazela yini imfundiso yesihogo nesihlanzo, waphendula: “Anginakukufakazela; ngimane nje ngiyakukholelwa.” Ngokushesha ijaji laqaphela ukuthi yilokho kanye lencwajana eyayikushilo. Laphela ngalesosikhathi icala, futhi umpristi waphuma enkantolo eshesha ethukuthele!

Bethukutheliswe ukwanda komsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova engxenyeni esempumalanga yendawo ngalesosikhathi eyayiyiCzechoslovakia, abefundisi bamangalela oFakazi ngokuthi bayizinhloli. Isimo sasifana naleso umphostoli uPawulu abhekana naso lapho abefundisi bamaJuda bekhulu lokuqala bemmangalela ngokuvukela umbuso. (IzE. 24:5) Amacala amaningi aya enkantolo ngo-1933-34, kwaze kwaba yilapho uhulumeni eseqiniseka ukuthi kwakungenasizathu esizwakalayo sokubekwa kwabo icala. Esifundazweni saseCanada iQuebec, ngawo-1930 nawo-1940, oFakazi nakhona babequla amacala okubopha uzungu lokuvukela umbuso. Abefundisi ngokwabo—abamaKatolika nabamaProthestani, kodwa ikakhulukazi abamaRoma Katolika—baya ngisho nasenkantolo beyoba ngofakazi abamelene nabo. OFakazi BakaJehova babenzeni? Abefundisi bathi babefake engozini ubunye besizwe ngokunyathelisa izinto ezazingabangela ukungathandwa kweSonto LamaRoma Katolika. Nokho, oFakazi baphendula ngokuthi, eqinisweni, babesakaze izincwadi ezazilethela abantu abathobekile induduzo evela eZwini likaNkulunkulu kodwa basho ukuthi lokhu kwakuthukuthelise abefundisi ngoba kwakudalula izimfundiso nemikhuba engasekelwe ngokombhalo.

Yini eyenza oFakazi BakaJehova baqhubeka naphezu kokuphikiswa okunjalo okuphikelelayo? Kwakuwukuba kwabo nokholo kuNkulunkulu naseZwini lakhe eliphefumlelwe, ukuzinikezela kwabo ngokungenabugovu kuJehova naseMbusweni wakhe, namandla abangelwa ukusebenza komoya kaNkulunkulu. Njengoba imiBhalo isho, “amandla angaphezu kwavamile ngakaNkulunkulu futhi akuwona awethu.”—2 Kor. 4:7, NW.

OFakazi BakaJehova Bathatha Isinyathelo Esinamandla Kwezomthetho

Emashumini eminyaka ngaphambi kweMpi Yezwe I, abaFundi BeBhayibheli babeye bahlanganyela ekusakazeni kabanzi izincwadi zeBhayibheli ngesihle emigwaqweni eduze namasonto nasendlini ngendlu. Kodwa-ke amadolobha amaningi amancane namakhulu e-United States akhipha imithetho eyayivimbela “umsebenzi wokuzithandela” onjalo. Yini eyayingenziwa?

INqabayokulinda (yesiNgisi) ka-December 15, 1919, yachaza: “Njengoba sikholelwa ukuthi kungumsebenzi wethu ukwenza wonke umzamo ukuze sifakaze ngombuso weNkosi futhi singabi madolo-nzima ngoba sibona izithiyo, futhi ngenxa yokuthi kuye kwaba nomzamo ohleliwe wokumelana nomsebenzi wokuzithandela, kuye kwenziwa amalungiselelo okusebenzisa umagazini, . . . i-GOLDEN AGE.”a

Nokho, njengoba ukufakaza endlini ngendlu kwakuya kuba namandla, yaba njalo nemizamo yokusebenzisa imithetho yokukunciphisa noma ukukuvimbela. Akuwona wonke amazwe anamalungiselelo angokomthetho akwenza kube nokwenzeka ukuqinisekisa imiphakathi emincane ngenkululeko lapho iphikiswa izikhulu. Kodwa oFakazi BakaJehova babazi ukuthi uMthetho-sisekelo wase-U.S. wawuqinisekisa ngenkululeko engokwenkolo, inkululeko yokukhuluma, nenkululeko yokunyathelisa. Ngakho, lapho amajaji ehlela imithetho yendawo ukuba ivimbele ukushumayela iZwi likaNkulunkulu, oFakazi badlulisela amacala abo ezinkantolo eziphakeme.b

Lapho ebukeza lokho okwenzeka, uHayden C. Covington, owayenendima evelele ezindabeni zomthetho ze-Watch Tower Society, kamuva wachaza: “Ukuba azizange zidluliswe izinkulungwane zamacala ayebhalwe izimantshi, izinkantolo zamaphoyisa nezinkantolo eziphansi, kwakuyoba nezibonelo eziningi zokulahlwa amacala ezaziyonqwabelana zibe isithiyo esikhulu ekukhulekeleni kwethu. Ngokudlulisa amacala siye savimbela ukuba khona kwesithiyo esinjalo. Indlela yethu yokukhulekela iye yafakwa emthethweni wezwe lase-United States nakwamanye amazwe ngenxa yokuphikelela kwethu sidlulisa amacala anqunywe ngokungafanele.” E-United States, amacala amaningi aze afinyelela naseNkantolo Ephakeme.

Ukuqinisa Iziqinisekiso Zenkululeko

Elinye lamacala okuqala elalihilela inkonzo yoFakazi BakaJehova elafinyelela eNkantolo Ephakeme e-United States laliqale eGeorgia futhi laqulwa eNkantolo ngo-February 4, 1938. U-Alma Lovell wamangalelwa enkantolo engaphansi kukamasipala waseGriffin, eGeorgia, ngecala lokweqa umthetho owawenqabela ukusakazwa kwezincwadi zanoma yiluphi uhlobo ngaphandle kwemvume etholakala kumphathi wedolobha. Phakathi kwezinye izinto, uDade Lovell wayehambisele abantu umagazini i-Golden Age. Ngo-March 28, 1938, iNkantolo Ephakeme yase-United States yakhipha isinqumo sokuthi lowomthetho wawungasebenzi ngoba wawungayinikezi inkululeko yokunyathelisa ngaphandle kwemvume nokucwaningwa ngaphambi kokunyathelisa.c

Ngonyaka olandelayo uJ. F. Rutherford, njengommeli wofake isicelo, wethula ubufakazi eNkantolo Ephakeme ecaleni okuthiwa i-Clara Schneider v. State of New Jersey.d Leli lalandelwa, ngo-1940, okwakuthiwa i-Cantwell v. State of Connecticut,e kulelocala uJ. F. Rutherford wabhala phansi ubufakazi, uHayden Covington wayesethula lobobufakazi ngomlomo phambi kweNkantolo. Umphumela omuhle walamacala waqinisa iziqinisekiso zomthetho-sisekelo zenkululeko engokwenkolo, inkululeko yokukhuluma, nenkululeko yokunyathelisa. Kodwa zaba khona izithiyo.

Amagalelo Anzima Avela Ezinkantolo

Impikiswano yokushayela ifulege indesheni njengoba yayihilela abantwana besikole boFakazi BakaJehova yafinyelela ngokokuqala ngqá ezinkantolo zaseMelika ngo-1935 ngecala okuthiwa i-Carlton B. Nicholls v. Mayor and School Committee of Lynn (Massachusetts).f Lelicala ladluliselwa eNkantolo Ephakeme Yokwahlulela yaseMassachusetts. Ngo-1937, inkantolo yanquma ukuthi, kungakhathaliseki lokho uCarleton Nichols, Jr., nabazali bakhe ababethi bayakukholelwa, kwakungadingeki kube nelungiselelo lokucabangela inkolelo engokwenkolo, yathi, ngoba “ukushayela ifulege indesheni nokuvuma ukuthembeka embusweni okuyikhona okuhilelekile kulendaba akuhlangene nganoma iyiphi indlela nenkolo. . . . Akuhlobene nemibono yomuntu ngoMdali wakhe. Akubuthinti ubuhlobo bomuntu noMenzi wakhe.” Lapho impikiswano yokushayelwa kwefulege indesheni okuphoqelelwe idluliselwa eNkantolo Ephakeme yase-U.S. ngecala okuthiwa i-Leoles v. Landersg ngo-1937, nelibizwa ngokuthi i-Hering v. State Board of Educationh ngo-1938, iNkantolo yawachitha lamacala, ngoba ngokombono wayo, ayengeyona indaba ehilela amalungelo aqinisekiswa umthetho-sisekelo wombuso wamazwe ahlangene. Ngo-1939 iNkantolo yaphinde yalichitha icala elalidlulisiwe elalihilela indaba efanayo, ecaleni okuthiwa i-Gabrielli v. Knickerbocker.i Ngalo lolosuku, ngaphandle kokulalela ukwethulwa kobufakazi, yaqinisekisa ukuthi isinqumo senkantolo ephansi sasingafanele ecaleni okuthiwa i-Johnson v. Town of Deerfield.j

Ekugcineni, ngo-1940, iNkantolo yaliqula ngokugcwele icala okwakuthiwa i-Minersville School District v. Gobitis.k Iqembu labameli abaziwayo laletha izincwadi okubhalwa kuzo ubufakazi zalelicala zezinhlangothi zombili. UJ. F. Rutherford wethula ubufakazi obushiwo ngomlomo emelela uWalter Gobitas nabantwana bakhe. Ilungu lomnyango wezomthetho eYunivesithi yaseHarvard lalimelele i-American Bar Association ne-Civil Liberties Union ekunikezeni ubufakazi obumelene nokushayelwa kwefulege indesheni okuphoqelelwe. Nokho, ubufakazi babo benqatshwa, futhi ngaphandle kwevoti eyodwa kuphela ehlukile, iNkantolo Ephakeme, ngo-June 3, yanquma ukuthi abantwana ababenqaba ukushayela ifulege indesheni babezoxoshwa ezikoleni zomphakathi.

Phakathi neminyaka emithathu eyalandela, iNkantolo Ephakeme yabalahla oFakazi BakaJehova emacaleni angu-19. Okuphawuleka kakhulu kwaba isinqumo esingafanele, ngo-1942, ecaleni okuthiwa i-Jones v. City of Opelika.l URosco Jones wayemangalelwe ngokuhlanganyela ekusakazeni izincwadi emigwaqweni yase-Opelika, e-Alabama, engakhokhanga intela yemvume. INkantolo Ephakeme yasekela lokho kumangalela futhi yathi ohulumeni banegunya lokukhokhisa umuntu imali ethile elinganiselwe ngenxa yokufuna ukusekelwa yathi futhi imithetho enjalo ayinakubekelwa inselele ngisho nakuba iziphathimandla zendawo zingase zikhethe ukungayinaki lemvume. Lokhu kwaba igalelo elinzima, ngoba manje noma yimuphi umphakathi, ushoshozelwa abefundisi noma nayinoma ubani ophikisa oFakazi, wawungabanqabela ngokomthetho futhi kanjalo, njengoba abaphikisi bengase bacabange, bavimbele umsebenzi wokushumayela woFakazi BakaJehova. Kodwa kwenzeka isimangaliso.

Isondo Liyajika

Ecaleni okuthiwa i-Jones v. Opelika, kuso kanye isinqumo esaba igalelo enkonzweni yasobala yoFakazi BakaJehova, amajaji amathathu athi akukhona nje ukuthi ayengavumelani neningi leNkantolo kulelocala elalidingidwa kodwa futhi ayenomuzwa wokuthi ayesizile ekulibekeleni isisekelo ecaleni lika-Gobitis. “Njengoba saba nombono ofanayo ecaleni likaGobitis,” benezela, “sicabanga ukuthi kuyisikhathi esifanelekile sokuba sithi manje sikholelwa ukuthi sasingafanele isinqumo esenziwa kulo.” OFakazi BakaJehova babheka lokho njengophawu lokuba baphinde bawavuse lamacala eNkantolo.

Kwafakwa iSicelo Sokuqulwa Kabusha kwecala okuthiwa i-Jones v. Opelika. Kulesosicelo kwanikezwa ubufakazi obunamandla obungokomthetho. Sabuye sasho lokhu ngokuqinile: “LeNkantolo kufanele iqaphele iqiniso elibaluleke kunawo wonke, lokuthi yahlulela izinceku zikaNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke.” Kwabukezwa izibonelo eziseBhayibhelini ezibonisa okusikiselwa yilokhu. Kwadonselwa ukunakekela eselulekweni uthisha wezomthetho uGamaliyeli asinikeza inkantolo ephakeme yamaJuda yekhulu lokuqala, esithi: “Dedani kulababantu, nibayeke, . . . funa mhlawumbe nifunyanwe ningabalwayo noNkulunkulu.”—IzE. 5:34-39.

Ekugcineni, ngo-May 3, 1943, ecaleni elaba ingqopha-mlando okuthiwa i-Murdock v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,a iNkantolo Ephakeme yahlehlisa isinqumo sayo sangaphambili kwelithiwa i-Jones v. Opelika. Yathi akuvumelani nomthetho-sisekelo noma ikuphi ukukhokhwa kwentela yemvume njengemfuneko ukuze umuntu asebenzise inkululeko engokwenkolo ngokusakaza izincwadi zenkolo. Lelicala lavulela oFakazi BakaJehova amathuba amasha e-United States futhi kuye kwabhekiselwa kulo njengegunya emacaleni amaningi kusukela ngalesosikhathi. U-May 3, 1943, waba usuku oFakazi BakaJehova abayohlala belukhumbula ngokuqondene namacala aqulwa eNkantolo Ephakeme yase-United States. Ngalolosuku kuphela, emacaleni angu-12 kwangu-13 (wonke ahlanganiswa ukuze aqulwe futhi kukhishwe izinqumo ezine zamajaji), iNkantolo yakhipha isinqumo esibavunayo.b

Esikhathini esingangenyanga kamuva—ngo-June 14, uSuku Lwefulege lesizwe lwaminyaka yonke—iNkantolo Ephakeme yabuye yahlehla kweyayikushilo, kulokhu ikwenza ngokuvumelana nesinqumo eyayisenze ecaleni okuthiwa i-Gobitis, ikwenza ecaleni elalibizwa ngokuthi i-West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette.c Yakhipha isinqumo sokuthi “asikho isikhulu, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi siphakeme noma siphansi kangakanani, esingasho ukuthi yini eyamukelekayo kwezombangazwe, ebuzweni, enkolweni noma kwezinye izindaba ezihilela umbono noma esingaphoqelela izakhamuzi ukuba zivume ngezwi noma ngesenzo ukuthi zinokholo ezindabeni ezinjalo.” Amaphuzu amaningi avezwa kulesosinqumo ngemva kwalokho amukelwa eCanada yiNkantolo Yokudlulisela Amacala yase-Ontario ecaleni okuthiwa i-Donald v. Hamilton Board of Education, okuyisinqumo iNkantolo Ephakeme yaseCanada eyenqaba ukumelana naso.

Yenza ngokuvumelana nesinqumo sayo ecaleni elithiwa i-Barnette, ngalolosuku, kwelithiwa i-Taylor v. State of Mississippi,d iNkantolo Ephakeme yase-United States yathi oFakazi BakaJehova abanakumangalelwa ngokufanelekile ngokuthi bavukela umbuso ngenxa yokuchaza kwabo izizathu zokwenqaba kwabo ukushayela ifulege indesheni nangokufundisa ukuthi zonke izizwe zilwa impi kamabuya-ze ngoba ziphikisana noMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Lezizinqumo zahlahla indlela yezinqumo ezibavunayo kwezinye izinkantolo emacaleni ahilela abazali abangoFakazi ababantwana babo babeye benqaba ukushayela ifulege indesheni esikoleni, nasemacaleni ahilela ukusebenza kanye nokwabiwa kwezingane ngemva kwesehlukaniso. Ngokuqinisekile isondo liye lajika.e

Ukuqalisa Inkathi Entsha Yenkululeko EQuebec

OFakazi BakaJehova babelwela indaba yenkululeko yokukhulekela eCanada. Kusukela ngo-1944 kuya ku-1946, oFakazi abaningi babeye baboshwa eQuebec lapho behlanganyela enkonzweni yabo yasobala. Umthetho waseCanada wawunelungiselelo lenkululeko yokukhulekela, kodwa izichwensi zaziphazamisa imihlangano lapho kukhulunywa ngeBhayibheli. Amaphoyisa ayelalela lokho ayekutshelwa abefundisi bamaKatolika ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova kumelwe bavinjelwe. Amajaji ezinkantolo ezingaphansi kukamasipala abaphatha kabi oFakazi, nakuba bengazange babenze lutho labo ababesemaviyweni ezichwensi. Yini eyayingase yenziwe?

INhlangano yahlela ukuba kube nomhlangano omkhulu okhethekile eMontreal ngo-November 2 no-3, 1946. Izikhulumi zabukeza ukuma koFakazi BakaJehova ngokomBhalo nangokombono womthetho wezwe. Kwabe sekwenziwa isaziso ngamalungiselelo okusakazwa yonke indawo okwakuzothatha izinsuku ezingu-16—ngesiFulentshi, isiNgisi, nesi-Ukraine—kwepheshana elalithi Quebec’s Burning Hate for God and Christ and Freedom Is the Shame of All Canada. Lalibika ngokuningiliziwe ngobudlova bamaviyo ezichwensi nangezinye izenzo zonya ezazenziwa koFakazi BakaJehova eQuebec. Leli lalandelwa ipheshana lesibili, elalithi Quebec, You Have Failed Your People!

Ukuboshwa eQuebec kwanda ngokushesha. Ukuze likwazi ukubhekana nalesisimo, igatsha laseCanada le-Watch Tower Society lamisa umnyango wezomthetho owawunabameleli eToronto naseMontreal. Lapho zifinyelela kwabezindaba izindaba zokuthi uMaurice Duplessis, ungqongqoshe waseQuebec, wayecekele phansi ngamabomu isitolo sokudla sikaFrank Roncarelli, omunye woFakazi BakaJehova, ngoba nje ekhiphe imali yebheyili yokukhulula oFakazi akanye nabo, umphakathi waseCanada waphikisana kakhulu nalokhu. Khona-ke, ngo-March 2, 1947, oFakazi BakaJehova baqalisa umkhankaso wezwe lonke bemema abantu baseCanada ukuba banxuse uhulumeni ukuba amise uMthetho Ovikela Amalungelo Abantu (Bill of Rights). Kwatholakala amasignesha abantu abangu-500 000—isicelo esasisekelwe abantu abaningi ukuzedlula zonke ezake zayiswa ePhalamende laseCanada! Ngonyaka olandelayo, lokhu kwalandelwa isicelo esikhulu nangaphezulu esasigcizelela esokuqala.

Phakathi nalesosikhathi, iNhlangano yakhetha amacala amabili ayezoba umhlahlandlela ayezodluliselwa eNkantolo Ephakeme yaseCanada. Elinye lalawa, okwakuthiwa i-Aimé Boucher v. His Majesty The King, lalihilela icala lokuvukela umbuso oFakazi abase bemangalelwe ngalo ngokuphindaphindiwe.

Icala okuthiwa i-Boucher laligxile engxenyeni u-Aimé Boucher, umlimi omnene, aba nayo ekusakazweni kwepheshana elithi Quebec’s Burning Hate. Ingabe wayevukela umbuso ngokwazisa abantu ngobudlova bamaviyo ezichwensi obabenziwa koFakazi eQuebec, ukunganakwa komthetho okwenziwa izikhulu ezazisebenzelana nabo, nangobufakazi bokuthi umbhishobhi wamaKatolika nabanye babefundisi bamaKatolika yibona ababegqugquzela lokhu?

Lapho lihlaziya lelipheshana elalisakaziwe, elinye lamajaji eNkantolo Ephakeme lathi: “Lelipheshana lalinesihloko esithi ‘Quebec’s Burning Hate for God and Christ and Freedom Is the Shame of All Canada;’ okokuqala lalinesicelo sokuba kube nokuzola nokuhluzeka kwengqondo lapho kucatshangelwa izindaba ezazizothintwa lapho kusekelwa lesisihloko; bese liba nokukhulumela okuvamile ngoshushiso lokuziphindisela olwaluvunyelwa eQuebec ukuba lwenziwe koFakazi njengabazalwane abakuKristu; lilandisa ngokuningiliziwe ngezenzakalo ezithile zoshushiso; kanye nesicelo sokugcina esiya kubantu abakulesisifundazwe, sokuba balwe nokulawula kwamaviyo ezichwensi kanye namasu ama-gestapo, ukuze kuthi, ngokutadishwa kweZwi likaNkulunkulu nokulalelwa kweziyalezo zalo, kube ‘nesivuno esikhulu sezithelo ezinhle zothando ngaYe noKristu nangenkululeko yabantu.’”

Isinqumo seNkantolo salichitha icala u-Aimé Boucher, ayemangalelwe ngalo, kodwa amajaji amathathu kwamahlanu amane athi icala liqulwe kabusha. Ingabe lokho kwakuyophumela esinqumweni esingenalubandlululo ezinkantolo eziphansi? Ummeli owayemelela oFakazi BakaJehova wafaka isicelo sokuba iNkantolo Ephakeme kube yiyona ephinda iqule lelicala. Ngokumangalisayo, lokhu kwavunywa. Lapho kusalindelwe isinqumo ngalesisicelo, inani lamajaji eNkantolo landiswa, futhi elinye lamajaji okuqala lashintsha umqondo. Umphumela ngo-December 1950 waba yisinqumo samavoti amahlanu kwamane esasimkhulula ngokuphelele uMfoweth’ uBoucher ecaleni.

Ekuqaleni, umsizi wommeli omkhulu nongqongqoshe (owayephinde abe ummeli omkhulu) wesifundazwe saseQuebec bamelana nalesisinqumo, kodwa kancane kancane saqiniswa ngezinkantolo. Ngakho icala oFakazi BakaJehova baseCanada ababelibekwa ngokuphindaphindiwe lokuvukela umbuso langcwatshwa ngokuphumelelayo.

Kunelinye icala elaba umhlahlandlela eladluliselwa eNkantolo Ephakeme yaseCanada—i-Laurier Saumur v. The City of Quebec. Leli laliphikisa imithetho yezimvume eyayihileleke emacaleni amaningi ezinkantolo eziphansi. Ecaleni okuthiwa i-Saumur, iNhlangano yayifuna isinqumo senkantolo esasingeke siguquke ngokumelene nedolobha laseQuebec ukuze sivimbele iziphathimandla ekuphazamiseni ukusakazwa kwezincwadi zenkolo okwenziwa oFakazi BakaJehova. Ngo-October 6, 1953, iNkantolo Ephakeme yakhipha isinqumo sayo. Impendulo yayivuna oFakazi BakaJehova, ilahla isifundazwe saseQuebec. Lesosinqumo sasho ukunqoba nakwezinye izinkulungwane zamacala lapho isimiso esifanayo senkululeko engokwenkolo sasiyisici esiyinhloko. Lokhu kwaqalisa inkathi entsha yomsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eQuebec.

Imfundo Ephathelene Namalungelo Nezinqubo Ezingokomthetho

Njengoba inani lamacala asezinkantolo lalanda ekupheleni kwawo-1920 nangemva kwalokho, oFakazi BakaJehova kwadingeka bafundiswe ngezinqubo ezingokomthetho. Njengoba uJ. F. Rutherford ayengummeli futhi ngezikhathi ezithile ayebe ijaji, wasiqaphela isidingo sokuba oFakazi baqondiswe kulezizindaba. Ikakhulukazi kusukela ngo-1926 oFakazi bebegcizelela ukushumayela endlini ngendlu ngamaSonto, besebenzisa izincwadi ezichaza iBhayibheli. Ngenxa yokuphikiswa kokusakaza kwabo izincwadi zeBhayibheli ngeSonto, uMfoweth’ uRutherford walungiselela incwajana eyayithi Liberty to Preach ukuze kusizwe labo ababese-United States ukuba baqonde amalungelo abo ngaphansi komthetho. Nokho, wayengenakuwenza yena mathupha wonke umsebenzi ongokomthetho, ngakho wahlela ukuba abanye abameli babe ingxenye yezisebenzi zasendlunkulu yeNhlangano. Ngaphezu kwalokho, abanye, ababesabalele nezwe lonke, babambisana nabo ngokugcwele.

Abameli babengenakuba khona ngaso sonke isikhathi lapho kudingeka abantu bavele enkantolo ezinkulungwaneni zamacala ayehilela umsebenzi wokushumayela woFakazi BakaJehova, kodwa babengase banikezwe iseluleko esiwusizo. Ukuze kufezwe lokhu, kwenziwa amalungiselelo okuba kuqeqeshwe bonke oFakazi BakaJehova ezinqubweni eziyisisekelo zezomthetho. Lokhu kwakwenziwa emihlanganweni emikhulu ekhethekile e-United States ngo-1932, futhi kamuva, ezimisweni zasikhathi sonke zoMhlangano WeNkonzo emabandleni. Kwakhishwa i-“Order of Trial” (Uhlelo Lokuqulwa Kwecala) enemininingwane eminingi kuyi-Year Book ka-1933 yoFakazi BakaJehova (kamuva yaba iphepha elilodwa). Leziziyalezo zazithuthukiswa ngokuvumelana nezimo. Kuyi-Consolation ka-November 3, 1937, kwanikezwa esinye iseluleko kwezomthetho ngokuqondene nezimo ezithile okwakubhekwana nazo.

Besebenzisa lokhu kwaziswa, oFakazi ngokuvamile babezimela emacaleni abo ezinkantolo zezindawo, esikhundleni sokufuna ummeli. Bathola ukuthi ngalendlela ngokuvamile babekwazi ukunikeza ubufakazi enkantolo futhi bethule udaba ngokuqondile ejajini, esikhundleni sokwenza amacala abo amane anqunywe ngokwemicikilisho engokomthetho. Lapho noma yiliphi icala linganqunywa ngokufanele, ngokuvamile lalidluliswa, nakuba abanye oFakazi babeboshwa esikhundleni sokuthatha ummeli, ozinkonzo zakhe zazizodingeka enkantolo yokudlulisela amacala.

Njengoba izimo zaziphakama futhi kumiswa amacala ayezoba izibonelo ngezinqumo ezinkantolo, kwanikezwa ukwaziswa okwengeziwe ukuze oFakazi bahlale bazi ngalokho okwakwenzeka. Ngakho, ngo-1939 incwajana ethi Advice for Kingdom Publishers yanyatheliswa ukuze isize abazalwane ezimpini zasezinkantolo. Eminyakeni emibili kamuva ingxoxo ehlanganisa izici eziningi yakhishwa encwajaneni ethi Jehovah’s Servants Defended. Yacaphuna noma yakhuluma ngezinqumo ezingu-50 ezihlukene zenkantolo yaseMelika ezazihilela oFakazi BakaJehova, kanye namanye amacala amaningi, futhi yachaza indlela lamacala ayizibonelo angokomthetho ayengase asetshenziswe ngayo ngokunenzuzo. Khona-ke, ngo-1943, ikhophi ye-Freedom of Worship yanikezwa uFakazi ngamunye futhi yafundwa ngenkuthalo eMihlanganweni Yenkonzo emabandleni. Ngaphezu kokunikeza ukwaziswa okufingqiwe okuwusizo kwamacala angokomthetho, lencwajana yanikeza ngokuningiliziwe izizathu ezingokomBhalo zokusingatha izindaba ngezindlela ezithile. Lencwajana, ngo-1950, yalandelwa incwajana ebukeziwe ethi Defending and Legally Establishing the Good News.

Konke lokhu kwakuyimfundo eqhubekayo yezomthetho. Nokho, injongo yayingekhona ukwenza oFakazi babe abameli kodwa yayiwukuyigcina ivulekile indlela yokushumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu obala nasendlini ngendlu.

Njengoswebezane Lwesikhonyane

Lapho izikhulu zizibheka njengezingabuswa umthetho, indlela ezazibaphatha ngayo oFakazi ngezinye izikhathi yayinonya. Nokho, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi yiziphi izindlela abaphikisi babo ababezisebenzisa oFakazi BakaJehova babazi ukuthi iZwi likaNkulunkulu liyeluleka: “Ningaziphindiseli nina-bathandwa, kodwa dedelani ulaka, ngokuba kulotshiwe ukuthi: Ngokwami ukuphindisela, ngiyakubuyisela mina, isho iNkosi.” (Roma 12:19) Nokho, bazizwa benesibopho esikhulu sokunikeza ubufakazi. Babekwenza kanjani lapho bebhekene nokuphikisa kwezikhulu?

Nakuba amabandla oFakazi BakaJehova ngamanye ngokuvamile ayemancane phakathi nawo-1930, kwakunesibopho esiqinile phakathi kwawo. Lapho kunenkinga engathi sína kunoma iyiphi indawo, oFakazi basezindaweni ezizungezile babezimisela ukusiza. Ngokwesibonelo, ngo-1933 e-United States oFakazi abangu-12 600 babehlelwe baba amaqembu amakhulu angu-78. Lapho kunokuboshwa okuphikelelayo endaweni ethile, noma lapho abaphikisi bephumelela ukucindezela iziteshi zomsakazo ukuba zihoxise izivumelwano zokusakaza izinhlelo ezazihlelwe oFakazi BakaJehova, ihhovisi leNhlangano eBrooklyn lalaziswa. Ngaphambi kokuba kuphele isonto, kwakuthunyelwa amaqembu amaningi kuleyondawo ukuba anikeze ubufakazi agxile kuleyondawo.

Kuye ngokwesidingo, oFakazi abasukela kwabangu-50 kuya kwabangu-1 000 babehlangana ngesikhathi esimisiwe, ngokuvamile endaweni esemaphandleni endawo eyayizosetshenzwa. Bonke babeyizisebenzi zokuzithandela; abanye babevela kude endaweni eqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-320. Amaqembu ngamanye ayenikezwa insimu eyayingase ihlanganiswe ngemizuzu engu-30, noma, uma kwenzeka, ngamahora amabili. Njengoba iqembu ngalinye lemoto laliqala ukusebenza engxenyeni eliyabelwe, ikomiti yabazalwane yayiya emaphoyiseni iyowazisa ngomsebenzi owawenziwa futhi inikeze uhlu lwabo bonke oFakazi ababesebenza kuleyondawo ngalolosuku ekuseni. Ziqaphela ukuthi inani loFakazi, lalingaphezu kwelamabutho azo, izikhulu ezindaweni eziningi zazivuma ukuba umsebenzi uqhubeke ungaphazanyiswa. Kwezinye izindawo zazigcwalisa amajele ngoFakazi kodwa zihluleke ukubopha abengeziwe. Noma yibaphi oFakazi ababoshwa, babenabameli ababelungele ukubakhipha ngebheyili. Umphumela wawunjengowoswebezane lwesikhonyane olungokomfanekiso okukhulunywa ngalo emiBhalweni kuJoweli 2:7-11 nesAmbulo 9:1-11. Ngalendlela kwakwenzeka ukuba baqhubeke beshumayela izindaba ezinhle ngisho nalapho bebhekene nokuphikiswa okunzima.

Ukudalula Emphakathini Izenzo Zezikhulu Ezingomashiqela

Kwakubhekwa njengokuyinzuzo ukwazisa abantu ezindaweni ezithile ngalokho izikhulu endaweni yakubo ezazikwenza. EQuebec, lapho izinkantolo zenza oFakazi babhekane nezinqubo ezifuze ezezinkantolo zokuQulwa Kwamacala Ezihlubuki, kwathunyelwa incwadi kuwo wonke amalungu esishaya-mthetho saseQuebec iveza wonke amaqiniso. Lapho kungabikho sinyathelo esithathwayo, iNhlangano yathumela ikhophi yaleyoncwadi kosomabhizinisi abangu-14 000 kuso sonke lesosifundazwe. Kamuva lokho kwaziswa kwakuyiswa kubahleli bamaphephandaba ukuze bakunyathelise.

Empumalanga ye-United States, umphakathi waziswa ngezinhlelo zomsakazo. EBethel yaseBrooklyn abadlali abaningi abaqeqeshiwe, abanekhono lokulingisa, baqamba lokho okwakubizwa ngokuthi i-King’s Theater. Lapho izikhulu ezingomashiqela ziqulisa oFakazi BakaJehova, kwakubhalwa phansi kahle lokho okwakwenzeka enkantolo. Abadlali babeba khona enkantolo ukuze bajwayelane namazwi nendlela yokukhuluma yephoyisa, umshushisi, nejaji. Ngemva kokukhangisa kabanzi ukuze baqiniseke ukuthi umsakazo ulalelwa izilaleli eziningi, i-King’s Theater yayilingisa izenzakalo zasenkantolo ngendlela engokoqobo ngokuphawulekayo ukuze umphakathi wazi kahle ukuthi izikhulu zawo zazenzani. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, ngenxa yokudalulwa kabanzi emphakathini, ezinye zalezizikhulu zase ziqikelela ngokwengeziwe lapho zisingatha amacala ahilela oFakazi.

Isenzo Sobunye Lapho Bebhekene Nokucindezela KobuNazi

Lapho uhulumeni waseJalimane lobuNazi uqalisa umkhankaso wokuvimbela umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eJalimane, kwenziwa imizamo ephindaphindiwe yokuxoxa neziphathimandla zaseJalimane. Kodwa akubanga nankululeko. Ngehlobo lika-1933, umsebenzi wabo wavinjelwa emazweni amaningi aseJalimane. Ngakho-ke, ngo-June 25, 1933, oFakazi BakaJehova emhlanganweni omkhulu owawuseBerlin bamukela izwi lesinqumo elaliphathelene nenkonzo yabo kanye nemigomo yayo. Amakhophi athunyelwa kuzo zonke izikhulu eziphakeme zikahulumeni, futhi ezinye izigidi zasakazwa emphakathini. Nokho, ngo-July 1933 izinkantolo zenqaba ukuba amacala aqulwe kabusha ukuze bakhululwe. Ekuqaleni konyaka olandelayo, incwadi eyayiya ku-Adolf Hitler ngokuqondile eyayikhuluma ngalesisimo yabhalwa nguJ. F. Rutherford futhi yathunyelwa kuye ngesithunywa esikhethekile. Khona-ke ubuzalwane bomhlaba wonke bathatha isinyathelo.

NgeSonto ekuseni, ngo-October 7, 1934, ngehora lesishiyagalolunye wonke amaqembu oFakazi eJalimane ahlangana. Athandazela isiqondiso nesibusiso sikaJehova. Iqembu ngalinye labe selithumela incwadi ezikhulwini zikahulumeni waseJalimane eyayichaza ngokuzimisela kwalo ukuqhubeka likhonza uJehova. Ngaphambi kokuba lihlakazeke, laxoxa ngamazwi eNkosi yalo, uJesu Kristu, akuMathewu 10:16-24. Ngemva kwalokhu laphuma layonikeza ubufakazi komakhelwane ngoJehova nangoMbuso wakhe ophethwe uKristu.

Ngalo lolosuku, emhlabeni wonke oFakazi BakaJehova bahlangana, futhi kwathi ngemva kokuthandaza ngobunye kuJehova, bathumela incwadi ehamba ngocingo ixwayisa uhulumeni kaHitler: “Ukubaphatha kabi kwakho ofakazi bakaJehova kuyabashaqisa bonke abantu abalungile bomhlaba futhi kuhlambalaza igama likaNkulunkulu. Kuyeke ukushushisa ofakazi bakaJehova; ngalé kwalokho uNkulunkulu uzokubhubhisa wena kanye naleliqembu lakho lesizwe.” Kodwa akugcinanga lapho.

AmaGestapo aqinisa imizamo yawo yokuphelisa umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova. Ngemva kokuboshwa kwabaningi ngo-1936, acabanga ukuthi mhlawumbe ayephumelele. Kodwa-ke, ngo-December 12, 1936, oFakazi abacishe babe ngu-3 450 ababesakhululekile eJalimane basakaza ngokushesha kulelizwe izwi lesinqumo elinyathelisiwe elaliyichaza ngokucacile injongo kaJehova futhi laveza ukuzimisela koFakazi BakaJehova ukulalela uNkulunkulu njengombusi kunabantu. Abaphikisi abazange baqonde ukuthi ukusakaza okunjalo kwakungenzeka kanjani. Ezinyangeni ezimbalwa kamuva, lapho amaGestapo elulaza amacala ayebekwe wona ezwini lesinqumo, oFakazi BakaJehova babhala incwadi eya ezikhulwini kodwa eyayingase ifundwe umphakathi abazigagula kuyo ngamagama izikhulu zamaNazi ezaziphathe oFakazi BakaJehova ngonya olwedlulele. Ngo-1937, nalencwadi yasakazwa kabanzi eJalimane. Ngakho izenzo zabantu ababi zadalulwa ukuze zibonwe yibo bonke. Futhi lokhu kwanikeza umphakathi ithuba lokuba unqume ukuthi iyiphi inkambo owawuzoyithatha ngokuqondene nalezizinceku zoPhezukonke.—Qhathanisa noMathewu 25:31-46.

Ukusakaza Embulungeni Yonke Kuletha Inkululeko

Abanye ohulumeni nabo baye babakhahlameza oFakazi BakaJehova, benqabela imihlangano yabo nokushumayela emphakathini. Ngezinye izikhathi labohulumeni baye babangela ukuba oFakazi baxoshwe emisebenzini yabo yokuziphilisa nabantwana babo bangamukelwa ezikoleni. Ohulumeni abaningi baye babahlukumeza nasemzimbeni. Nokho, wona kanye lamazwe ngokuvamile anayo imithetho-sisekelo eqinisekisa ngenkululeko engokwenkolo. Ngenjongo yokukhulula abafowabo abashushiswayo, i-Watch Tower Society ngokuvamile iye yayisakaza emhlabeni wonke imininingwane ephathelene nempatho enjalo. Lokhu kwenziwa ngomagazini INqabayokulinda ne-Phaphama!, futhi ngezinye izikhathi lemibiko iyiswa kwabezindaba zomphakathi. Izinkulungwane eziningi zezincwadi ezinxusela oFakazi zibe sezitheleka emahhovisi ezikhulu zikahulumeni zivela emhlabeni wonke.

Ngenxa yomkhankaso onjalo ngo-1937, umbusi waseGeorgia, e-United States, wathola izincwadi ezingaba ngu-7 000 zivela emazweni amane ezinsukwini ezimbili, futhi umphathi wedolobha laseLaGrange, eGeorgia, naye wathola izinkulungwane zezincwadi. Imikhankaso enjalo yenziwa kunxuselwa oFakazi BakaJehova nase-Argentina ngo-1978 nango-1979, eBenin ngo-1976, eBurundi ngo-1989, eCameroon ngo-1970, eDominican Republic ngo-1950 nango-1957, e-Ethiopia ngo-1957, eGabon ngo-1971, eGreece ngo-1963 nango-1966, eJordan ngo-1959, eMalawi ngo-1968, 1972, 1975, nango-1976, eMalaya ngo-1952, eMozambique ngo-1976, ePortugal ngo-1964 nango-1966, eSingapore ngo-1972, eSpain ngo-1961 nango-1962, naseSwazini ngo-1983.

Njengesibonelo samuva salokho okwenziwa oFakazi BakaJehova emhlabeni wonke ukuze kukhululeke abafowabo abacindezelwayo, cabangela isimo saseGreece. Ngenxa yobunzima bokushushiswa koFakazi BakaJehova okwakugqugquzelwa abefundisi bobu-Orthodox bamaGreki lapho, ngo-1986 omagazini INqabayokulinda ne-Phaphama! (uma sebebonke okwanyatheliswa amakhophi angu-22 000 000 abo) babika ngemininingwane yalokhu kushushiswa. OFakazi kwamanye amazwe bamenywa ukuba babhalele izikhulu zikahulumeni waseGreece benxusela abafowabo. Bakwenza lokho; futhi njengoba kwabikwa ephephandabeni lase-Athens i-Vradyni, ungqongqoshe wezobulungisa wathola izincwadi ezingaphezu kwezingu-200 000 zivela emazweni angaphezu kwangu-200 nangezilimi ezingu-106.

Ngonyaka olandelayo, lapho icala elihilelela oFakazi liqulwa enkantolo yokudlulisela amacala eHania, eCrete, abameleli boFakazi BakaJehova bafika bevela kwamanye amazwe ayisikhombisa (eFrance, e-Italy, eJalimane eJapane, eNgilandi, eSpain, nase-United States) behlanganyela ekuqulweni kwecala futhi bezosekela abafowabo abangamaKristu. Khona-ke, ngemva kwesinqumo esingafanele esakhishwa ngo-1988 eNkantolo Ephakeme yaseGreece kwelinye icala elalihilela oFakazi, icala ladluliselwa eMkhandlwini Wamalungelo Abantu waseYurophu. Lapho, ngo-December 7, 1990, amajaji angu-16 ayevela cishe kuzo zonke izingxenye zeYurophu anikezwa umqulu owawunezehlakalo zokuboshwa ezingu-2 000 namacala amaningi asenkantolo oFakazi BakaJehova eGreece ababeye bagwetshwa kuwo ngoba bekhulume ngeBhayibheli. (Eqinisweni, kwaba nezehlakalo zokuboshwa ezinjalo ezingu-19 147 eGreece kusukela ku-1938 kuya ku-1992.) LoMkhandlu wanquma ngazwi-linye ukuthi lelicala kufanele liqulwe iNkantolo Yamalungelo Abantu yaseYurophu.

Kwezinye izimo ukudalulwa okunjalo kokunganakwa kwamalungelo abantu kuletha isilinganiso esithile senkululeko. Nokho, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi yisiphi isinyathelo esithathwa amajaji noma ababusi oFakazi BakaJehova bayaqhubeka belalela uNkulunkulu njengoMbusi wabo oPhakeme Kunabo Bonke.

Ukuqinisekisa Ukuqashelwa Ngokomthetho

Ukugunyazwa kokuqhuba ukukhulekela kweqiniso ngokusobala akuveli kunoma yimuphi umuntu noma uhulumeni wabantu. Kuvela kuJehova uNkulunkulu uqobo. Nokho, emazweni amaningi ukuze kuqinisekiswe isivikelo esinikezwa umthetho wezwe, kuye kwaba usizo ukuba oFakazi BakaJehova babhaliswe kuhulumeni njengenhlangano engokwenkolo. Amalungiselelo okuthenga indawo yehhovisi legatsha noma yokunyathelisa izincwadi zeBhayibheli eziningi angase enziwe abe lula ngokwakha izinhlangano ezingokomthetho zezindawo. Ngokuvumelana nesibonelo esabekwa umphostoli uPawulu eFilipi lasendulo ‘ekwenzeni izindaba ezinhle ziqashelwe ngokomthetho,’ oFakazi BakaJehova bathatha isinyathelo esifanele ukuze bafeze lokhu.—Fil. 1:7, NW.

Ngezinye izikhathi, lokhu kuye kwaba nzima kakhulu. Ngokwesibonelo, e-Austria, lapho isivumelwano esenziwa neVatican siqinisekisa ukuthi uhulumeni wayezoxhasa ngokwezimali iSonto LamaKatolika, imizamo yoFakazi BakaJehova ekuqaleni yabhuntshiswa izikhulu, ezathi: ‘Inhloso yenu iwukwakha inhlangano engokwenkolo, inhlangano enjalo ayinakumiswa ngaphansi komthetho wase-Austria.’ Ngakho, ngo-1930 bakwazi ukuyibhalisa ngokomthetho inhlangano eyayizosakaza amaBhayibheli nezincwadi zeBhayibheli.

ESpain umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova wekhulu lama-20 uhlehlela esikhathini seMpi Yezwe I. Kodwa kusukela eminyakeni yangaphambili yokuQulwa Kwamacala Ezihlubuki ekhulwini le-15, iSonto LamaRoma Katolika noMbuso waseSpain, ngaphandle kwasezimweni ezimbalwa, kwakungamathe nolimi. Izinguquko esimweni sezombangazwe nesingokwenkolo zaholela ekubeni abantu bavunyelwe ukuba baqhube enye inkolo, kodwa ukubonakaliswa obala kokholo lwabo kwakwenqatshelwe. Naphezu kwalezizimo, ngo-1956 nango-1965, oFakazi BakaJehova bafuna ukuqashelwa ngokomthetho eSpain. Nokho, kwaze kwaba yilapho iPhalamende laseSpain limisa uMthetho Wenkululeko Engokwenkolo ngo-1967 kuphela lapho kwenziwa khona intuthuko yangempela. Ekugcineni, ngo-July 10, 1970, lapho oFakazi kakade sebengaphezu kuka-11 000 eSpain, baqashelwa ngokomthetho.

Isicelo sokuba i-Watch Tower Society ibhaliswe ngokomthetho sathunyelwa kumbusi wekoloni yaseFrance eDahomey (manje eyaziwa ngokuthi iBenin) ngo-1948. Kodwa kwaze kwaba ngo-1966 kuphela, eminyakeni eyisithupha ngemva kokuba izwe libe iriphabhuliki ezimele, lapho kwavunywa khona ukubhaliswa okunjalo ngokomthetho. Nokho, lokho kuqashelwa ngokomthetho kwabuye kwahoxiswa ngo-1976 kwase kubuyiselwa ngo-1990 njengoba kwakwenzeka izinguquko esimweni sezombangazwe nasesimweni sengqondo sezikhulu ngokuqondene nenkululeko engokwenkolo.

Nakuba oFakazi BakaJehova babeye baqashelwa ngokomthetho eCanada iminyaka eminingi, iMpi Yezwe II yanikeza abaphikisi izaba zokuba bagqugquzele undunankulu omusha ukuba abheke oFakazi njengenhlangano engemthetho. Lokhu kwenzeka ngo-July 4, 1940. Eminyakeni emibili kamuva, lapho oFakazi benikezwa ithuba lokuba baphinde bafake izicelo ekomitini ekhethiwe yoMkhandlu Omelela Abantu Abavamile, leyokomiti yakutusa ngamandla ukuba kususwe ukuvinjelwa koFakazi BakaJehova nezinhlangano zabo ezingokomthetho. Nokho, kwaze kwaba kuphela ngemva kokuba kube nezinkulumo-mpikiswano eziphindaphindiwe nezinde eMkhandlwini Omelela Abantu Abavamile nomsebenzi omkhulu woFakazi wokuthola abantu ababezosayina izicelo ezimbili zezwe lonke lapho ungqongqoshe wezobulungisa, owayengumRoma Katolika, azizwa khona ephoqelekile ukuba akususe ngokuphelele ukuvinjelwa.

Kwadingeka kube nezinguquko eziyisisekelo embonweni wohulumeni eMpumalanga Yurophu ngaphambi kokuba oFakazi BakaJehova baqashelwe ngokomthetho lapho. Ekugcineni, ngemva kwamashumi eminyaka kwenziwa izicelo zenkululeko engokwenkolo, oFakazi baqashelwa ngokomthetho ePoland naseHungary ngo-1989, eRomania naseMpumalanga Jalimane (ngaphambi kokuba ihlangane neFederal Republic of Germany) ngo-1990, eBulgaria nakuleyondawo ngalesosikhathi eyayiyiSoviet Union ngo-1991, nase-Albania ngo-1992.

OFakazi BakaJehova bayazama ukwenza ngokuvumelana nemithetho yanoma yiliphi izwe. Bakusekela ngokuqinile, ngesisekelo esingokweBhayibheli, ukuhlonishwa kwezikhulu zikahulumeni. Kodwa lapho imithetho yabantu iphikisana nemiyalo kaNkulunkulu eshiwo ngokucacile, bayaphendula: “Simelwe ukulalela uNkulunkulu [njengombusi, NW] kunabantu.”—IzE. 5:29.

Lapho Ukwesaba Kubangela Abantu Bakhohlwe Inkululeko Eyisisekelo

Ngenxa yokwanda kokusetshenziswa kabi kwezidakamizwa okwenziwa abantu abaningi kanye nokwehla kwamandla emali, ngokuvamile okuye kwaphoqa amadoda namakhosikazi ukuba benze imisebenzi yokuziphilisa, oFakazi BakaJehova e-United States baye bazithola bebhekana nezimo ezintsha enkonzweni yabo. Izindawo eziningi cishe azinamuntu phakathi nosuku, futhi ukugqekeza kudlangile. Abantu bayesaba. Ngasekupheleni kwawo-1970 nasekuqaleni ko-1980, kwamiswa imithetho eminingi emisha yokuthola imvume yokuya kubantu nezicelo ukuze kuhlale kwaziwa ukuthi abantu abangaziwa emphakathini bakuphi. Amanye amadolobha asongela oFakazi BakaJehova ngokuboshwa uma bengazitholi izimvume. Kodwa sase sibekiwe kakade isisekelo esinengqondo esingokomthetho, ngakho kwakungase kwenziwe imizamo yokusingatha izinkinga ngaphandle kwasenkantolo.

Lapho kuphakama ubunzima, abadala bendawo bangase bahlangane nezikhulu zedolobha ukuze bathole ukuthi ikhambi lingaba yini. OFakazi BakaJehova bakwenqaba ngokuqinile ukucela imvume yokwenza umsebenzi uNkulunkulu ayaleze ukuba wenziwe, futhi uMthetho-sisekelo wase-U.S., osekelwa izinqumo zeNkantolo Ephakeme, uqinisekisa ngenkululeko yokukhulekela neyokunyathelisa engabekelwe umbandela wokukhokha noma iyiphi imali ngaphambi kokuba isetshenziswe. Kodwa oFakazi BakaJehova bayakuqonda ukuthi abantu bayesaba, futhi bangase bavume ukwazisa amaphoyisa ngaphambi kokuba baqale ukufakaza endaweni ethile, uma kudingeka. Nokho, uma kungekho ukuvumelana, ummeli osendlunkulu yeNhlangano uyobhalela izikhulu zendawo echaza umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova, umthetho-sisekelo osekela igunya labo lokushumayela, kanye nokuthi bangakwazi ukusebenzisa lelogunya ekumangaleleni umasipala nezikhulu zakhe ngenjongo yokuthola isinxephezelo.f

Kwamanye amazwe kuye kudingeke ukuba kuyiwe enkantolo ukuze kuqinisekiswe inkululeko eyisisekelo osekunesikhathi kushaywa sengathi ikhona. Lokho kwenzeka eFinland ngo-1976 nango-1983. Ukuze kubonakale sengathi kuvikelwa ukuthula kwabaninikhaya, inqwaba yemithetho yendawo yayenqabela umsebenzi wenkolo owawuhilelela ukuya endlini ngendlu. Nokho, kwavezwa enkantolo eLoviisa naseRauma ukuthi ukushumayela endlini ngendlu kuyingxenye yenkolo yoFakazi BakaJehova nokuthi uhulumeni wayeyivumele lendlela yokushumayela ivangeli lapho enikeza incwadi yomthetho-sisekelo yenhlangano engokwenkolo yoFakazi BakaJehova. Kwaboniswa nokuthi abantu abaningi bayakuthanda ukuhanjelwa oFakazi nokuthi kwakuyoba ukubancisha inkululeko ukuvimbela umsebenzi onjalo ngoba nje kungebona bonke abantu abawazisayo. Elandela iziphetho eziphumelelayo zalawomacala, amadolobha amaningi amakhulu namancane ahoxisa imithetho yawo.

Ukuthuthukiswa Komthetho-sisekelo

Umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova, emazweni athile, uye waba isici esiyinhloko ekuthuthukisweni komthetho. Bonke abenza izifundo zomthetho eMelika bayazi kahle ingxenye oFakazi BakaJehova ababa nayo ekuvikeleni amalungelo omphakathi e-United States. Izihloko ezinjengalezi ezilandelayo zibonisa izinga ababa nengxenye ngalo: “Lokho UMthetho-sisekelo Okukweleta OFakazi BakaJehova,” esavela kuyi-Minnesota Law Review ka-March 1944, nesithi, “Okwaqalisa Ukuthuthukiswa KoMthetho-sisekelo: OFakazi BakaJehova ENkantolo Ephakeme,” esakhishwa kuyi-University of Cincinnati Law Review, ngo-1987.

Amacala abo asenkantolo akha ingxenye enkulu yomthetho waseMelika ophathelene nenkululeko engokwenkolo, inkululeko yokukhuluma, nenkululeko yokunyathelisa. Lamacala aye enza lukhulu ekulondolozeni inkululeko hhayi eyoFakazi BakaJehova kuphela kodwa neyabantu bonke. Enkulumweni eyayiseYunivesithi yaseDrake, u-Irving Dilliard, ongumlobi nomhleli owaziwayo, wathi: “Uthanda ungathandi, oFakazi BakaJehova baye benza lukhulu ekulondolozeni inkululeko yethu ngaphezu kwanoma yiliphi elinye iqembu lenkolo.”

Futhi ngokuqondene nesimo eCanada, isandulela encwadini ethi State and Salvation—The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Their Fight for Civil Rights sithi: “OFakazi BakaJehova bafundisa umbuso, nabantu baseCanada, lokho okufanele sisebenze kukho isivikelo esingokomthetho samaqembu anemibono ehlukile. Ngaphezu kwalokho, . . . ukushushiswa [koFakazi esifundazweni saseQuebec] kwaholela ochungechungeni lwamacala, okwathi ngawo-1940 nawo-1950, adlulela eNkantolo Ephakeme yaseCanada. Nalo lwaba nengxenye ebalulekile ezimweni zengqondo zabaseCanada ngokuqondene namalungelo abantu, futhi aba isisekelo seqoqo lemithetho evikela amalungelo abantu eCanada namuhla.” “Omunye wemiphumela” yempi engokomthetho yoFakazi yokulwela inkululeko yokukhulekela, kuchaza lencwadi, “kwaba izingxoxo ezinde nezinkulumo-mpikiswano ezaholela ekusungulweni koMthetho-sisekelo Wamalungelo Abantu,” manje oyingxenye eyisisekelo yomthetho waseCanada.

Ukuphakama Komthetho KaNkulunkulu

Nokho, ngokuyinhloko umlando ongokomthetho woFakazi BakaJehova uye waba ubufakazi bokuqiniseka kwabo ukuthi umthetho waphezulu uphakeme kunayo yonke. Isisekelo sokuma abaye bakuthatha siwukuqaphela kwabo impikiswano ehilela ubukhosi bendawo yonke. Babheka uJehova njengowukuphela kukaNkulunkulu weqiniso noMbusi ofanele wendawo yonke. Ngakho-ke ngokungaguquki bayibheka njengengasebenzi noma yimiphi imithetho noma izinqumo zenkantolo ezenqabela ukwenziwa kwalokho okuyalelwe uJehova nokuthi inxusa elingumuntu elibeka imithetho enjalo evimbelayo liye leqela ngalé kwegunya elinalo. Ukuma kwabo kunjengokwabaphostoli bakaJesu Kristu, abathi: “Simelwe ukulalela uNkulunkulu [njengombusi, NW] kunabantu.”—IzE. 5:29.

Ngosizo lukaNkulunkulu oFakazi BakaJehova bazimisele ukushumayela lezizindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu kuwo wonke umhlaba owakhiwe ukuze kube ubufakazi kuzo zonke izizwe ngaphambi kokuba kufike ukuphela.—Math. 24:14, qhathanisa neNW.

[Imibhalo yaphansi]

[Amazwi acashunwe esihlokweni ekhasini 680]

Ohulumeni bavimbela oFakazi BakaJehova emazweni ahlukahlukene

[Amazwi acashunwe esihlokweni ekhasini 682]

Laphela ngalesosikhathi icala, futhi umpristi waphuma enkantolo eshesha ethukuthele!

[Amazwi acashunwe esihlokweni ekhasini 693]

Ezinye izikhulu zase ziqikelela ngokwengeziwe lapho zisingatha amacala ahilela oFakazi

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 684]

Ubufakazi ENkantolo Ephakeme Yase-U.S.

Lapho evela phambi kweNkantolo Ephakeme yase-United States, njengommeli ecaleni lika-“Gobitis,” uJoseph F. Rutherford, owayeyilungu leQembu Labameli laseNew York nomongameli we-Watch Tower Society, wakugxilisa ngokucacile ukunakekela ekubalulekeni kokuzithoba ebukhosini bukaJehova uNkulunkulu. Wathi:

“Ofakazi bakaJehova yilabo abafakazela igama likaNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke, owukuphela kwakhe ogama lakhe linguJEHOVA. . . .

“Ngidonsela ukunakekela eqinisweni lokuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu, eminyakeni engaphezu kwezinkulungwane eziyisithupha edlule, wathembisa ukuthi ngoMesiya uyomisa uhulumeni wokulunga. Uyosifeza lesosithembiso ngesikhathi esifanele. Amaqiniso osuku lwanamuhla ngokukhanyiselwa isiprofetho abonisa ukuthi lokho kuseduze. . . .

“UNkulunkulu, uJehova, uyena kuphela ongumthombo wokuphila. Akekho omunye onganikeza ukuphila. UMbuso wasePennsylvania awunakukunikeza ukuphila. UHulumeni waseMelika ngeke ukunikeze. UNk ulunkulu wamisa lomthetho [owenqabela ukukhulekelwa kwezithombe], njengoba uPawulu ekubeka, ukuze avikele abantu baKhe ekuk honzeni izithombe. Nithi nina, kuyinto encane. Sasinjalo nesenzo sika-Adamu sokudla isithelo esenqatshelwe. Kwakungelona i-apula u-Adamu alidla, kodwa kwakuyisenzo sakhe sokungalaleli uNkulunkulu. Okuhilelekile ukuthi umuntu uyomlalela yini uNkulunkulu noma uyolalela inhlangano ethile yabantu. . . .

“Ngikhumbuza leNkantolo (akudingekile ukuba ngenze njalo) ukuthi ecaleni okuthiwa i-‘Church v. United States’ leNkantolo yathi iMelika iyizwe lobuKristu; futhi lokho kusho ukuthi iMelika kumelwe ilalele umthetho waPhezulu. Futhi kusho ukuthi leNkantolo iliqaphela kahle iqiniso lokuthi umthetho kaNkulunkulu uphakeme ukuyedlula yonke. Futhi uma umuntu ngokukanembeza ekholelwa ukuthi umthetho kaNkulunkulu uphakeme ukuyedlula yonke futhi ngokukanembeza eziphatha ngokuvumelana nalokho, akukho gunya elingumuntu elingalawula noma liphazamise unembeza wakhe. . . .

“Ngicela ukudonsela ukunakekela kulokhu: ukuthi isikhathi ngasinye lapho kuvulwa leNkantolo omemezelayo usho lamazwi: ‘Nkulunkulu siza i-United States naleNkantolo ehloniphekile.’ Futhi manje ngithi, Nkulunkulu siza leNkantolo ehloniphekile ukuba ingenzi iphutha eliyoholela labantu base-United States ekubeni isigaba somashiqela futhi balahle yonke inkululeko enikezwa uMthetho-sisekelo. Lendaba iyindaba ebalulekile kuwo wonke amaMelika athanda uNkulunkulu neZwi laKhe.”

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 687]

Izenzakalo Ezaholela Ekuhlehlisweni Kwesinqumo

Lapho iNkantolo Ephakeme yaseMelika, ngo-1940, ecaleni okuthiwa i-“Minersville School District v. Gobitis,” inquma ukuthi abantwana besikole kufuneka bashayele ifulege indesheni, amajaji ayisishiyagalombili kwayisishiyagalolunye avumelana nalokho. KwakuyiJaji uStone kuphela elaphikisana nalokho. Kodwa eminyakeni emibili kamuva, lapho ebhala ngokungavumelani kwawo nesinqumo esasenziwe ecaleni okuthiwa i-“Jones v. Opelika,” amanye amajaji amathathu (uBlack, uDouglas, noMurphy) asebenzisa lelothuba ukuze achaze ukuthi ayecabanga ukuthi icala lika-“Gobitis” lalinganqunyiwe ngokufanele ngoba lalicindezela inkululeko engokwenkolo. Lokho kwasho ukuthi amajaji amane kwayisishiyagalolunye ayevumelana nokuhlehliswa kwesinqumo ecaleni lika-“Gobitis.” Amabili emajajini amahlanu ayecindezele inkululeko engokwenkolo athatha umhlalaphansi. Kwakungene amabili amasha (uRutledge noJackson) lapho kudluliselwa elinye icala lokushayela ifulege indesheni eNkantolo Ephakeme. Ngo-1943, kwelithiwa i-“West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette,” womabili avotela inkululeko engokwenkolo esikhundleni sokushayelwa kwefulege indesheni okuphoqelelwe. Ngakho, ngevoti yangu-6 kwamathathu, iNkantolo yahlehlisa ukuma eyayikuthathe emacaleni amahlanu angaphambili (elika-“Gobitis,” elika-“Leoles,” elika-“Hering,” elika-“Gabrielli,” nelika-“Johnson”) ayedluliselwe kuleNkantolo.

Ngokuthakazelisayo iJaji uFrankfurter, liphikisana nesinqumo esasenziwe ecaleni lika-“Barnette,” lathi: “Njengoba kuye kwenzeka esikhathini esidlule, iNkantolo ngezikhathi ezithile iyokuhlehlisa ukuma kwayo. Kodwa ngikholelwa ukuthi akukaze kwenzeke ngaphambi kwalamacala oFakazi BakaJehova (ngaphandle kokuchezuka okuncane okungase kulandele) ukuba leNkantolo ihoxise izinqumo ukuze ilinganisele amandla kahulumeni wentando yeningi.”

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 688]

“Indlela Endala Yokushumayela Ivangeli Yezithunywa Zevangeli”

Ngo-1943, ecaleni okuthiwa i-“Murdock v. Pennsylvania,” iNkantolo Ephakeme yase-United States yathi, phakathi kwezinye izinto:

“Ukusakaza ngesandla amapheshana enkolo kuyindlela endala yokushumayela ivangeli yezithunywa zevangeli—kudala njengomlando wokunyathelisa. Kuye kwaba insika ezinhlanganweni ezihlukahlukene zenkolo eminyakeni edlule. Lendlela yokushumayela ivangeli nanamuhla isetshenziswa ngezinga elikhulu amahlelo ahlukahlukene enkolo ama-“colporteur” awo ayisa iVangeli ezinkulungwaneni eziningi zemizi futhi ngokuhambela ngokuqondile afuna ukuthola abantu abazobambelela okholweni lwawo. Kungaphezu kokushumayela; kungaphezu kokusakaza izincwadi zenkolo. Kuyinhlanganisela yakho kokubili. Injongo yakho iwukushumayela ivangeli njengoba kunjalo ngomhlangano wemvuselelo. EkuThuthukisweni Kokuqala loluhlobo lomsebenzi wenkolo usezingeni elifanayo ngokubaluleka nokukhulekela emasontweni nokushumayela emapulpiti. Luvikelwa ngokufanayo nemisebenenzi yenkolo eyamukeleka nevame ngokwengeziwe. Njengeminye imisebenzi yenkolo luqinisekiswe ngenkululeko yokukhuluma nenkululeko yokunyathelisa.”

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 690]

“Amalungelo Alinganayo Abo Bonke”

Ngaphansi kwesihloko esingenhla, ngo-1953 umhleli waseCanada, owayaziwa kakhulu ngalesosikhathi, wabhala: I-“Parliament Hill kufanele ibe nomkhosi omkhulu wokuhalalisela isinqumo seNkantolo Ephakeme yaseCanada ecaleni likaSaumur [elalethwa oFakazi BakaJehova phambi kweNkantolo]; umkhosi kufanele ube isenzakalo esikhulu. Zimbalwa izinqumo emlandweni wezokwahlulela eCanada ezingabaluleka ngaphezu kwalokhu. Zimbalwa izinkantolo ebezingenzela iCanada inkonzo engcono kunale. Azikho eziye zenza kwadingeka ukuba babonge kakhulu abantu baseCanada abayazisayo inkululeko yabo abayizuze njengefa. . . . Lokhu kukhululwa kufanelwe umkhosi omkhulu kunanoma yimuphi ongase wenziwe.”

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 694]

Isaziso Esiqinile Esasiya Embusweni WamaNazi

Ngo-October 7, 1934, incwadi elandelayo yathunyelwa kuhulumeni waseJalimane yiwo wonke amabandla oFakazi BakaJehova eJalimane:

“EZIKHULWINI ZIKAHULUMENI:

“IZwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu, njengoba livezwe eBhayibhelini Elingcwele, liwumthetho ophakeme ukwedlula yonke, futhi yilona kuphela elisinikeza isizathu sokuba sizinikezele kuNkulunkulu futhi sibe abalandeli bakaKristu Jesu beqiniso nabaqotho.

“Phakathi nonyaka odlule, nangokuphambene nomthetho kaNkulunkulu nangokungawanaki amalungelo ethu, niye nasenqabela thina njengofakazi bakaJehova ukuba sihlangane ukuze sitadishe iZwi likaNkulunkulu, simkhulekele futhi simkhonze. EZwini lakhe usiyala ukuba singakuyeki ukuhlangana kwethu ndawonye. (Heberu 10:25) UJehova uyayala: ‘Ningofakazi bami bokuthi nginguNkulunkulu. Hambani niyotshela abantu isigijimi sami.’ (Isaya 43:10, 12; Isaya 6:9; Mathewu 24:14) Umthetho wenu ushayisana ngokuqondile nomthetho kaNkulunkulu, futhi, silandela isibonelo sabaphostoli abathembekile, ‘simelwe ukulalela uNkulunkulu kunabantu,’ futhi lokhu sizokwenza. (IzEnzo 5:29) Ngakho-ke ngalokhu sinazisa ukuthi kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kwenzekani siyolalela imiyalo kaNkulunkulu, sizohlangana nakanjani ukuze sitadishe iZwi lakhe, futhi sizomkhulekela, simkhonze njengoba eyalile. Uma uhulumeni wenu noma izikhulu zenu zisiphatha ngobudlova ngoba silalela uNkulunkulu, khona-ke igazi lethu liyoba phezu kwenu futhi niyolandisa kuNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke.

“Asinasithakazelo ezindabeni zezombangazwe, kodwa sizinikele ngokuqondile embusweni kaNkulunkulu ophethwe uKristu iNkosi yakhe. Ngeke silimaze muntu. Singakujabulela ukuhlala ngokuthula nokwenza okuhle kubo bonke abantu uma sinethuba, kodwa, njengoba uhulumeni wenu nezikhulu zawo ziqhubeka zizama ukusiphoqa ukuba singalaleli umthetho ophakeme kakhulu wendawo yonke, siyaphoqeleka ukuba manje sinazise, ukuthi ngamandla akhe, siyolalela uJehova uNkulunkulu futhi sithembele kuYe ngokugcwele ukuba asikhulule kukho konke ukucindezeleka nakubacindezeli.”

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 697]

OFakazi Ngaphansi Kokuvinjelwa Bakuchaza Ngokucacile Ukuma Kwabo

Inhlangano yoFakazi BakaJehova yavinjelwa uhulumeni eCanada ngo-1940. Kwaqulwa amacala angaphezu kwangu-500 ngemva kwalokho. OFakazi babengaziphendulela ngokuthini? Ngenhlonipho kodwa ngokuqinile, babetshela iNkantolo okuthi akufane nalokhu:

‘Angixolisi ngokuhambisa lezizincwadi. Zifundisa ngendlela eya ekuphileni okuphakade. Ngikholelwa ngobuqotho ekutheni zichaza injongo kaNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke yokumisa uMbuso wokulunga emhlabeni. Ngendlela engibona ngayo, ziye zaba isibusiso esikhulu kunazo zonke ekuphileni kwami. Ngibona ukuthi kungaba isono kuMninimandla onke ukonakalisa lezizincwadi, kanye nesigijimi sikaNkulunkulu ezisiqukethe, njengoba nje bekuyoba isono ukushisa iBhayibheli ngokwalo. Wonke umuntu kumelwe azikhethele ukuthi ufuna ukuzifaka engozini yokungamukelwa abantu noma yokungamukelwa uNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke noma cha. Mina ngiye ngamelela uhlangothi lweNkosi noMbuso waYo, futhi ngifuna ukudumisa igama loPhezukonke, elithi Jehova, futhi uma ngizojeziselwa lokho, khona-ke labo abakhipha lesosijeziso kumelwe balandise phambi kukaNkulunkulu.’

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 698]

Indlela Amalungu Kahulumeni WaseCanada Akubheka Ngayo

Nazi izinkulumo ezashiwo amanye amalungu OMkhandlu Omelela Abantu Abavamile Ephalamende laseCanada ngo-1943 lapho enxusa ungqongqoshe wezobulungisa ukuba asuse ukuvinjelwa koFakazi BakaJehova nezinhlangano zabo ezingokomthetho:

“Abukho ubufakazi umnyango wezobulungisa owabunikeza ikomiti obabubonisa ukuthi nganoma yisiphi isikhathi ofakazi bakaJehova kufanele kuthiwe bayinhlangano engemthetho . . . Kuyihlazo eMbusweni waseCanada ukuthi abantu kufanele bashushiselwe izinkolelo zabo ezingokwenkolo ngendlela labantu abangenacala abaye bashushiswa ngayo.” “Ngendlela engibona ngayo kuyacaca ukuthi kumane kuwubandlululo olungokwenkolo kuphela olwenza bavinjelwe.”—UMnu. Angus MacInnis.

“Iningi lethu liyazi ukuthi labantu bangabantu abangenangozi, abangenayo neze inhloso yokona umbuso. . . . Kungani ukuvinjelwa kungazange kususwe? Akunakuba ukuthi kwakwesatshwa ukuthi lenhlangano ingase ifake engozini inhlala-kahle yombuso, noma ukuthi izenzo zayo zibhuntshisa umzamo wempi. Akukaze kube ngisho nanobufakazi obuncane bokuthi kunjalo.”—UMnu. John G. Diefenbaker.

“Kwenza umuntu azibuze ukuthi akukhona yini ukuthi isinyathelo esithathwa ngokumelene noFakazi BakaJehova sibangelwa ngokuyinhloko isimo sabo sengqondo ngamaRoma Katolika, esikhundleni sesimo sabo sokuvukela.”—UMnu. Victor Quelch.

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 699]

‘Inkonzo Emgomweni Wenkuleko Engokwenkolo’

“Kungaba ukungabonisi ubulungisa ukuba kuyekwe lokhu kuhlolwa okufushane kwezinkinga oFakazi BakaJehova abanazo noMbuso ngaphandle kokubhekisela enkonzweni abayenzele umgomo wenkululeko engokwenkolo eMthethweni-sisekelo wethu ngenxa yokuphikelela kwabo. Eminyakeni yamuva baye bachitha isikhathi esiningi ezinkantolo ngaphezu kwanoma yiliphi elinye iqembu lenkolo, futhi baye babonakala beyiziwula emphakathini, kodwa baye banamathela ezinkolelweni zabo ezivumelana nonembeza, futhi ngenxa yalokho izinkantolo zoMbuso Wamazwe Ahlangene ziye zanikeza uchungechunge lwezinqumo eziye zaqinisekisa futhi zakhulisa iziqinisekiso zenkululeko engokwenkolo yezakhamuzi zaseMelika, futhi baye bavikela futhi bandisa amalungelo abantu. Amacala angaba ngamashumi amathathu nanye abaye bahileleka kuwo aye adluliselwa eNkantolo Ephakeme eminyakeni emihlanu kusukela ngo-1938 kuya ku-1943, futhi izinqumo kulamacala namanye akamuva ziye zayithuthukisa kakhulu imigomo yenkululeko enikezwa uMthetho Ovikela Amalungelo Abantu usuwonke, kanye nokuvikelwa kwenkululeko engokwenkolo ngokuyinhloko.”—“Church and State in the United States,” ka-Anson Phelps Stokes, uMqulu III, 1950, ikhasi 546.

[Isithombe ekhasini 700, 701]

Ukuthokoza Enkululekweni Yabo Yokukhulekela

Emazweni amaningi lapho oFakazi BakaJehova babengenayo khona inkululeko ephelele engokwenkolo esikhathini esidlule, manje bahlangana ngokukhululeka ngenjongo yokukhulekela futhi bazihlanganyele nabanye ngokukhululeka izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu.

EQuebec, eCanada

Phakathi nawo-1940, oFakazi abambalwa lapha eChâteauguay bahlaselwa amaviyo ezichwensi. Ngo-1992, oFakazi abangaphezu kuka-21 000 esifundazweni saseQuebec babehlangana ngokukhululeka emaHholo abo oMbuso

ESt. Petersburg, eRussia

Ngo-1992, abangu- 3 256 babhapathizwa emhlanganweni wokuqala wezizwe zonke woFakazi BakaJehova eRussia

EPalma, eSpain

Ngemva kokuba oFakazi BakaJehova eSpain beqashelwe ngokomthetho ngo-1970, izimpawu ezinkulu ezindaweni zokuhlangana zazibonakalisa injabulo yabo yokukwazi ukuhlangana ngokukhululeka

ETartu, e-Estonia

OFakazi e-Estonia baye bakwazisa kakhulu ukwamukela izincwadi zeBhayibheli bengavinjelwe lutho kusukela ngo-1990

EMaputo, eMozambique

Kungakapheli nonyaka oFakazi BakaJehova beqashelwe ngokomthetho lapha ngo-1991, amabandla angaphezu kwangu-50 oFakazi abashisekayo ayefeza inkonzo yawo phakathi enhloko-dolobha nasendaweni ezungezile

ECotonou, eBenin

Lapho befika emhlanganweni webandla ngo-1990, abaningi bamangala uma bebona uqwembe olukhulu lwamukela oFakazi BakaJehova obala. Ngalokho baqonda ukuthi ukuvinjelwa kokukhulekela kwabo kwakususiwe

EPrague, eCzechoslovakia

Laba ababoniswe lapha ngabambalwa abakhonza uJehova ngaphansi kokuvinjelwa uhulumeni iminyaka engu-40. Ngo-1991, bathokozela ukuba ndawonye emhlanganweni omkhulu wezizwe zonke woFakazi BakaJehova ePrague

ELuanda, e-Angola

Lapho kususwa ukuvinjelwa ngo-1992, abantu abangaphezu kuka-50 000 nemikhaya bamukela oFakazi ukuba bafunde nabo iBhayibheli

EKiev, e-Ukraine

Abantu baba khona emihlanganweni kulelizwe (ngokuvamile eba semahholo aqashiwe), ikakhulukazi kusukela oFakazi BakaJehova baqashelwa ngokomthetho ngo-1991

[Izithombe ekhasini 679]

Emacaleni angu-138 ahilela oFakazi BakaJehova, izicelo zokudlulisa amacala ziye zadluliselwa eNkantolo Ephakeme yase-U.S. Kwangu-111 alamacala, kusukela ngo-1939 kuya ku-1963, uHayden Covington (oboniswe lapha) waba ummeli

[Isithombe ekhasini 681]

UMaurice Duplessis, ungqongqoshe waseQuebec, eguqe obala phambi kukaKhadinali Villeneuve ekupheleni kwawo-1930 futhi efaka indandatho emunweni wakhe njengobufakazi bezibopho eziqinile ezikhona phakathi kweSonto noMbuso. EQuebec, ukushushiswa koFakazi BakaJehova kwakunzima ngokukhethekile

[Isithombe ekhasini 683]

UW. K. Jackson, owayengomunye wezisebenzi zezomthetho zasendlunkulu yeNhlangano, wakhonza njengelungu leNdikimba Ebusayo yoFakazi BakaJehova iminyaka eyishumi

[Isithombe ekhasini 685]

URosco Jones, ocala lakhe lalihilela inkonzo yoFakazi BakaJehova wavela kabili eNkantolo Ephakeme yase-U.S.

[Izithombe ekhasini 686]

Amajaji aseNkantolo Ephakeme yaseU.S., okwathi ngevoti yabayisithupha kwabathathu ecaleni lika-“Barnette,” enqaba ukushayelwa kwefulege indesheni okuphoqelelwe esekela inkululeko yokukhulekela. Lokhu kwahoxisa isinqumo sangaphambili seNkantolo ngokwayo eyayisenze ecaleni lika-“Gobitis”

Abantwana ababehileleke emacaleni

ULillian noWilliam Gobitas

UMarie noGathie Barnette

[Isithombe ekhasini 689]

U-Aimé Boucher, wakhululwa ngokuphelele ecaleni yiNkantolo Ephakeme yaseCanada esinqumweni esachitha amacala okuthi oFakazi BakaJehova babevukela umbuso

[Izithombe ekhasini 691]

Lelipheshana, ngezilimi ezintathu, lazisa bonke abaseCanada ngezenzo zonya ezazenziwa koFakazi BakaJehova eQuebec

[Izithombe ekhasini 692]

Kwaba nesidingo sokuba oFakazi BakaJehova bafundiswe ngezinqubo ezingokomthetho ukuze bakwazi ukusingatha ukuphikiswa enkonzweni yabo; lezi ezinye zezincwadi zomthetho abazisebenzisa