I've seen more threads and comments in the last week about the "demise of the WT" than in some time. Several were on threads about the donation arrangement and how its going to backfire in some way on the WT. Oh and the lone Elder who was pissed in some sort of passive-aggresive manner about it when he presented the resolution.
Sorry. You probably aren't going to like this.
The WT isn't going away, in fact this new donation arrangement is a stroke of cult genius, and entrenches them for decades to come. In a single letter, they have 1.) managed to extract all additional funds beyond $5,000 from every congregation in the first world and 2.) instituted a tithe on every congregation without the membership identifying it as a tithe.
They have fully transitioned from a publishing cult to a real estate cult.
In doing this, they have removed all accountability at the local level. In the past, congos would save up money in a building fund and there would be reports on how much was in the fund locally. When they were ready, they would buy the land, borrow any extra they might need from HQ, and know exactly how much they would be paying and for how long.
Now they have obligated themselves to a monthly payment until Armageddon comes, whether they have a mortgage or not. When the accounts report is read each month, and there isn't enough cash, the loyal troops will hear "DEFICIT" because of this factored in contribution. The local account will start to deplete, and loyal Johnny JW will dig a little deeper and put extra money in the box.
And when the time comes for a refurb or a new building, they get in line and WAIT. For how long? Who knows...they will have ZERO knowledge about their place in line, how much it costs, and how much money the WTS holds in this "building fund". And that is exactly what the WTS wants.
They now have another income stream over which there is ZERO accountability. Just like we know nothing about their financial situation when it comes to the World Wide work, and their real estate sales in Brooklyn, we will know nothing about this 'building fund' and how much it takes in or spends each year.
Its amazing when you think about in from a high level. A TAX FREE corporation gets donations from 7 million investors who also donate their time. These customers expect nothing in return other that a vague promise of everlasting life, something the corporation delivers via their APPOINTMENT FROM JEHOVAH. In the meantime, the corporation has zero accountability to the investor as far as financial reporting. In fact, they can simply send out letters calling for more capital at any given time if necesarry!
Its a scam of monumental proportions, but it works because people believe the lie, they don't want to die and they think being a JW is the key to never, ever being six feet under.
So what is an active JW to do?
The point is that if your are 'in' there isn't going to be some massive crumbling of the WT that will set you and your loved ones free. Some of the posts I've been seeing seem to have a hopeful tone to them, in that all of this money grubbing is going to backfire, and the troops are going to 'wake up' and leave. They aren't. They will go to their graves believing this is "God's organization", just as millions have before them.
Get out.
Live your life.
Don't look back.