Posted by ros [ros] on October 26, 1999 at 12:24:48 {c/rgKhj4NcAPLKlRwd1.7/SY5I9NtE}:
Hi, Folks:
Just suppose along with me here in thinking about this current eposide with the "GB" fellow, and what someone's objective might be in all this. And I AM just supposing . . .
From my perspective, the WTS is very well aware of some things--such as we xJWs have realized for a LONG time--that will affect their survival in the not-too-distant future. We have known and heralded that the time would run out for them being able to avoid these issues. They have painted themselves into the proverbial corner on a number of their dogmatic positions, and they are going to have to think of something to bail themselves out--and soon imo:
* They know their 1914 doctrine is hooey!
* They know they're up against the wall with the contradictions of the "abstain-from-blood" versus allow-blood-fractions policy and the Bulgarian situation.
* They know their growth rate in the most educated/economically-affleunt countries is at a standstill or declining.
* They know a LOT of the animosity that has resulted in the noise on the Internet against them from former members is rooted in their extremist shunning policy.
* They know the resentment against them from ex-members is much greater than it is for other religious organizations.
* They know they can't keep up the charade much longer.
* . . . and the list could go on.
Now what if the organization were seriously considering reform in some of these areas, but was concerned about how the rank-and-file JW would react to sudden diametric policy reversals. They're well aware of what happened to the Worldwide Church of God when it reformed, and that's not a very encouraging prospect. On the other hand, they surely realize that disfellowshipping a former Governing Body member turned out to be probably the single dumbest mistake the organization ever made for its own interests in its entire 125+-year history. Is it just possible they would think the wiser of making that kind of a self-destructive faux pas again?
So, if they wanted to get an idea of JW reaction to potential reforms they would like to make, then maybe this approach isn't such a bad idea. If the JWs rise up in anger against such ideas, then there's no proof a real GB was ever involved in this. They'll have to think of something else to get themselves out of the messes they're in, and "apostate" Ros will have to take the heat for this one. :)
On the other hand, if JWs come out and strongly voice that these would be welcome changes of "new light", well, who knows. . .
In any case, I should think the WTS would be interested in the reactions to this whole episode. Its just my point that we(I) cannot dismiss this without giving it a fair chance of credibility. What do you think?
Blessings,
Ros