Brazil. JWs up 26% in 10 Years

by Joker10 126 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  ziddina

  This TvWiki site doesn't date its info, but it does make this statement:

  "Jehovah's Witnesses have a small active presence in most countries and are the second or third largest religious group in many countries with a dominant religion. In no country are they a large part of the population, however. Brazil and Mexico are the only countries other than the U.S. where the number of active Witness publishers exceeds 0.5 million. The highest proportion of Witnesses in a country of substantial size is in Zambia, where 1% are active Witness publishers. Growth in most developed countries is slow or negative in recent years but is offset by rapid growth in less developed lands, particularly the former Communist bloc and Latin America. .."

  From this link:

  http://origin.tvwiki.tv/wiki/Jehovah_Witnesses

  The information seems dated, however, since U.S. 'growth' has generally flatlined in recent years....
• 

  Gayle

  Brazil baptisms: less getting baptized though

  2007 - 36,784

  2008 - 33,792 == 8% decrease

  2009 - 30,028 == 11% decrease

  2010 - 28,979 == 3% decrease

  2011 - 27,425 == 5% decrease
• 

  Gayle

  The Brazil Census numbers different than WTS Service Report

  2011 Peak pubs. 742,425, Avg. 720,896; Ratio 1/263 population
• 

  Diest

  Those who identify themselves or are identified as witnesses are different from those who practice. On a cencus I could claim the 8 people in my house are JW but we know the retention rates of kids are a different thing. I am not suprised to see growth in a second world Catholic country. In time they will get the internet and it will curtail things.
• 

  Jeffro

  Growth in the number of JWs in Brazil is consistent with the low penetration rate of the Internet in that country, which is about 37%. However, growth reported by JWs in Brazil for the last few years has not be remarkable.
• 

  cedars

  Interesting how the original poster needs a rather generous 10 year period in which to highlight growth of any significance. This completely disregards the fact that growth in Brazil, as in many countries, is slowing down. For example, notice the growth percentages from the last 5 years...

  • 2011 - 2%
  • 2010 - 2%
  • 2009 - 3%
  • 2008 - 3%
  • 2007 - 4%

  Cedars
• 

  steve2

  It is important to Joker10 to (selectively) inform. Cool. I look forward to his informing us real soon about the growth rate of JWs in that once-apple-of-the-Watchtower's-eye, Japan. He may care to take a longer time frame than 10 years - or maybe not, it could overly-inform us that there is an inexorable slide in numbers of active JWs in that country.
• 

  slimboyfat

  They are growing better than many other religious groups, especially in the west where most Christian denominations are actually in decline. Even standing still in much of Europe is a considerable achievement when compared with the declines of other groups.
• 

  cedars

  Ok, I'll bite...

  Positive spin: "Wow, look at this - JWs in Brazil have increased by 26% in only 10 years!!"

  In reality: Yes, JWs have increased, but the last five years have shown a year-on-year reduction in annual growth down to only 2% in 2011. These sorts of figures always sound more dramatic if you go far enough back in time for your sample period.

  Positive spin: "Yes, but it's a considerable achievement for Jehovah's Witnesses to be growing at all considering that most Christian denominations are in decline!"

  In reality: Jehovah's Witnesses are not a normal Christian denomination. They are a damaging cult that uses coercion and manipulative techniques both to obtain and retain members. For example, most Christian denominations do not advocate shunning by family members if someone leaves the faith and/or attempts to question the legitimacy of the leadership. Jehovah's Witnesses do.

  Also, Jehovah's Witnesses themselves do not claim to be "just another Christian denomination" - in fact they would vociferously challenge such a label. Not only do they consider themselves distinct from the world of organized religion, but they advocate that God is blessing their preaching work because they are his chosen earthly organization. Such a stance is not consistent with the global reality, in which you have annual growth slowing to a near standstill (especially in wealthier, more developed countries), and more than 27% of the world's population in arab/communist countries not being preached to hardly at all.

  Cedars
• 

  slimboyfat

  Some stricter groups, like the Plymouth Brethren, are faring worse. They are growing better than Mormons, with whom they are comparable. And they may think they are not simply another splinter group of Christianity but they are.