Who’s That Knocking on the Door? Research Examines the Jehovah's Witnesses

One of my favorite Christian pollsters, Barna Group, surveys Jehovah's Witnesses. I am tickled. I wonder how they found members to poll, considering the society has warned against participation in these sorts of polls?

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=298

I'm off happily reading the results.

From the report,

Demographically, Jehovah’s Witnesses are substantially different from the born again community in that they are less likely to get married; much less likely to hold conservative political and social views; and are a decidedly downscale group (only one-third as likely to have graduated from college, and their household income levels are one-quarter below the born again average). The Jehovah’s Witnesses community is predominantly non-white (62%) and is shockingly removed from the political process: only 29% are registered to vote, compared to 87% among the born again constituency.

It's nice to get a reliable number on the "unchurched", or non-practicing Witnesses. 28%. Which the article says is higher than for evangelical churches, and is lower than the national average.

Perhaps it is this proportion of "unchurched" which inspired the July 15 article.

Jgnat,

The link goes to an article from 2004 titled "How "Christianized" Do Americans Want Their Country To Be?"

I'm not seeing the statistics you mention. I'll search again in case the answer is in front of my face.

-- Not Seeing It ;-)

The URL that I found is very similar to that above. But goes to a different place. Odd. Try this: http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=298

That said, I enjoyed reading the article. Thanks for brining it to our attention!

I think the key reason for differences in what we expect from Organizational JWs versus those polled is the phrase "unchurched". If someone asked me two years ago I would have identified more with JWs despite having differences in doctrine even though I haven't regularly attended meetings in almost 10 years. In the following citation you would expect that 100% of JWs would believe these things. I think that those who are "unchurched" or the fringe element (you've met them before -- right?) in congregations would account for the variance.

The final paragraph also intrigues me.

This coincides pretty well with the findings of the recent Pew survey (http://religions.pewforum.org/) as well as what we all "know" or have experienced in the Witness faith. Marriage is discouraged publicly as is higher education. The effect of less education is lower wages on the whole. And of course, political neutrality results in the "shocking" removal from the political process. (Shocking to whom? Do they not know this about JWs?). I'm not so sure about the ethnic makeup. I've always thought that it was about 50/50 from the places I've lived and attended. District Conventions seemed to be the most demographically diverse. I never noticed a preponderance of non-whites. The bulk of my JW life was spent born and raised in the Northeast USA. The Pew survey seems to bear this out as well.

The biggest thing I noticed was the comment "much less likely to hold conservative political and social views". I don't see how this is possible. Granted Witnesses would not typically vocally identify with Republican -- or Democrat -- politics. But to say they aren't socially conservative? What part of anti-abortion, anti-drug, anti-premarital sex did they not get? Granted they are also anti-government but that is ALL government types. Kind of like: I'm not a bigot -- I just hate everyone.

For the record, I identify myself as socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Do what makes you happy with consenting adults but keep your hand out of my wallet.

Thanks again for the great read.

-- Not Feeling It

Thanks Sammy T. I did just that. Funny how that is the secret to many a fall from grace in JW-Land! "OMG! I searched teh Intarnets for Jehovah and my world fell apart!"

Note that 28% are "unchurched" and 29% are registered to vote. So yes, I think these are people who identify themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses, but the organization would not. This is a full third of the respondents! This is good news on many levels. It could mean that the religion does not "stick" to all children. Or to the studies.

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=202

Regarding conservative views, I think generally Witnesses are more vulnerable to quack cures. Both from a macro, social point of view and in their personal lives. They still are quite anti-establishment.

I bet Barna didn't.

I think it is sad that there are so many unmarried Witness folks. I think it is lack of selection and opportunity, mostly.

That describes my parents and many of thier JW friends very well. Granted there is no perfect government. The US Constitution even grants that it was to establish "a more perfect union". I love that.

Anyway, many of the JWs I know are the most bizarre combination of anti-establishment, moral prudes you can find. It's like they went to Woodstock and said, "No free love for me, thanks. I'm just here 'cause The Man is keeping me down." Whatever works for you. I will say that JWs only advocate overthrow of government by Jehovah's hands. Hardly counterrevolutionaries.

This is sad. I knew two sisters as a child in the Hall who completely gave up on marriage because the New Order was so near. They were old (70s) then. I can't imagine they are still waiting now.

I'm not so sure about the selection. Maybe it's tough if you are older and single, but the dating circuit was pretty brisk when I was a whippersnapper. I had no problem finding a girlfriend from 17 to 23. The real problem is that you get pushed to marry so soon if you do date. I've been married 13 years now. It's been tough at times but I wouldn't change it. Leaving the confines of JW church has been the best thing for our relationship. MUCH less catering to what others say you should do with your life.

Yeah, I digress. Those JWs are an interesting bunch.

-- Not Feeling It

My thoughts on this:

Since dubs are counseled not to participate in such surveys, many of the "strong ones" would decline to answer because, to them, it's a matter of loyalty to the organization.

That means the survey is heavily skewed since the only respondents are those who are "weak" in the faith or inactive but for some reason identified their religion as JW.

My conclusion? The results of this survey are not truly reflective of the mindset of the average dub.

Barna reports a 95% confidence level for their survey. I think they are right.

No religion has 100% purity. If they say so, they are hiding something. I would have suspected a ratio of 20% nominal Witnesses (from the good old 80/20 rule), but it looks like that number is higher. Like I say, gratifying. Perhaps the higher number of nominal Witnesses is because really, with them, it's all or nothing. Attend or begone. So 28% have gone.