It seems likely that the Watchtower is worried about its finances, given the downsizing, property schemes, and money-grabs we have been seeing over the last few years. Perhaps they suffered badly from the financial crisis. For sure, there will be more expenses to come from child abuse payouts. But suppose they do actually go bankrupt, what then?
They have so many different corporations and legal entities, that one could easily imagine one or two going bust and the rest carrying on as normal - insulating themselves from the worst of it, and perhaps even coming back stronger than before, having rid themselves of bad debt. But if that is not possible for some reason, and they genuinely have to sell up the printing presses and property to pay of creditors, will that really mean the end of the religion?
I doubt it. I can run a business from home. I can publish books even though I don't have a printing press. Surely it wouldn't be hard for them to become an 'online religion'? They are already half way there. Each congregation is a separate charity (in the UK at least), and for those that don't own their own hall, or would have to surrender it, the members could probably all chip in to rent a hall or build a new one, or just meet in private homes. They will see it as a sign of the nearness of the end, and might even grow in membership. Depressing, but that's my best guess as to what would happen. Your thoughts?
