Looking at pew research data on JWs (Link below if you want to check it out, it's interesting to compare stats.), you have to wonder if the GB has seen them and what they think about them. It would seem to me examining the statistics that there are far more witnesses on the inside that don't really believe it is the "truth" than many on the inside would assume. For instance only 80% of the JWs interview said that it was the one true faith, 16% said many religions can lead to eternal life and 3% either didn't know or refused to answer. Only 77% of witnesses said that their is only one way to interpret their teachings. 8% of witnesses think that the modern theory of evolution is the best explanation for life on earth.
Think about those things for a second. Only 4 out of 5 witnesses actually thought that their's was the one true religion. Given that the GB insists that every other religion in existence is satanic and will be destroyed, there is 1 out of 5 JWs that don't necessarily agree with that view. Now they may actually believe most of what the GB spews forth, but a degree of pluralism has managed to seep in so that there is a decent contingent of people that don't think salvation can only come through the GB.
What is really shocking is the 8% that believe in darwinian evolution. Those poor saps are just completely stuck in a religion they know is BS. Because you can't buy the whole adam and eve, and biblical literalistic interpretation and still say that Evolution is the best explanation for life on earth.
Do you think having statistical evidence of how many witnesses don't believe the GB is the path to salvation scares them to death? Or do you think they are in such a bubble they don't even know what pew research is? But knowing that there are so many still on the inside that don't buy it makes you understand the paranoia of the July 15 WT. Seeing that potentially 8% of witnesses believe in evolution would definitely make people in charge want to make sure no witness ever takes a class in biology, or genetics, or any life or earth science. Knowing 1 in 5 witnesses may think that you can attain salvation by means other than them would make them want to hammer home the point that disobedience to them is disobedience to god.
I wish I could find past studies, I'll keep looking on the site to see if they have any. I would be interested to see how these stats have changed over the years. But it's clear that they have reason to be afraid. There are many within that don't put faith in them.
Other stats of interest (there are lots)
39% of witnesses actually claimed political party affiliation, or leaned towards a party. Almost half of witnesses want bigger government and more services (only 23% wanted less government), which is funny because (A)The government is run by satan, and (B) Duh, a large portion of them are probably on welfare.
Which leads to this stat, 42% of witnesses make less than 30k a year, making them the second poorest demographic next to historically black churches (which overwhelmingly wanted bigger government). Which leads to this stat.
Witness have the lowest college graduation rate 6%, Historically black churches ranked second to last and were still almost double the witnesses at 11%. Hindus clean up BTW, they have a 48% college education rate. JWs also tie for second amongst the highest in those without a highschool education at 19% (1 in 5 witnesses don't even have a high school or equivalent diploma...that insane.)
Now a bit of social commentary. Blacks were discreminated against for the majority of american history. Just in the past few decades has their been any attempt at actual equality for them as a group, and though as a demographic they are making strides, looking at historically black churches, they still have a long way to go to overcome the economic, and educational handicap they had. But despite this, they are tied with witnesses and in some cases doing better in things like income, and education. It took centuries of bigotry and oppression to handicap blacks in america, and witnesses have done it to themselves in a matter of decades. While one group is trying to climb out of a hole they were forced into, another is being pushed into it with a smile by senile old men who are afraid of losing power and authority. It's disturbing that witnesses are unwittingly building a ghetto for themselves.
There are plenty of cool stats on JWs and other religions, go check it out. See what jumps out at you.