A harder thing to predict, much less control, would be world security. JWs thrive on oppressive governments and a general sense of paranoia. When things are much more calm, how is fear going to sell? Without any "persecution" of the work, why should anyone care?
What do you think will happen to cause an exodus or at least push JWs into further obscurity?
by the_dude_abides 43 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Doug Mason
I think that "time" and the impact of the Internet will prove to be key factors.
The internet enables JWs to search and to communicate anonymously. The current limit is the fear of being exposed by a close confidant, such as a family member.
The SDA Church (I'm a former member, so I did what I am asking JWs to do) went through a trauma with Des Ford at the very same time the WTS went through its trauma with Franz. The SDA's never fully recovered from that event. It is interesting to compare the way that the WTS was able to better manage the situation (apparently so, anyway - although the events did manage to generate a breed of very good critics).
The SDAs now reputedly (and I have not checked official figures) lost 300,000 each year from 2000 to 2005. That's 1.5 million during that period. Few of these go on to membership of another Church.
It is possible that the problem for many ex-SDA members is that 1844 is a long time ago. The story could be wearing thin. Date-setting cults create their own use-by date, and it is possible that the SDA experience will be seen with the WTS. They are bed-fellows in many respects. I won't be around then, but my guess is that the furthest time that the WTS might be able to stretch to is 1934, being 120 years after "that" date.
It is of course possible that the inroads of the Internet could hasten the decline. How will people manage at that time?
Doug
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rebel8
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/members/private/183571/1/Need-your-help-May-2010
If the link doesn't work, go to the private folder and find a thread with the title listed above.
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freydo
How about if the pope resigned the papacy to become president of the wtbt$?