Posted by ros [ros] on April 05, 1999 at 12:33:28 {6.uz.4vynMAPLKlRwd1.7/SY5I9NtE}:
OPINION:
Reform-minded Jehovah's Witnesses cannot, in my opinion, succeed in pressuring the Watchtower Society to reform its doctrinal premises. Why? Because any reform movement requires some kind of organization with leadership. It cannot happen by Witnesses coming into a forum like H2O and anonymously expressing their disagreement with certain doctrines. Reform comes when a significant number of citizens rise in protest, vocalize their protest, and through rallies and emotionally-charged speeches garner a following that is significant enough to force reform. It does not happen by covert expressions of discontent among a few.
The Watchtower Society has a built-in deterent to such activity--much like totalitarian governments do, by prohibition of civil liberties. Only in the case of the Watchtower Society, its their shunning policy and disallowing exposure to former members that is so very effective. A Witness dare not speak out against the Organization's doctrines and policies--not even privately to a "trusted" close friend. The Watchtower Society has effectively convinced their flock that such is not an act opposing a mere organization, but is an act of opposition against the God and Creator of this vast universe. Not a simple misdemeanor, but a capitol crime deserving of everlasting destruction. To not turn in such an individual for such "apostacy", even if its your mother, could make you equally guilty as an accomplis of the deed. So Witnesses push their doubts back, repress and deny them, or the braver souls dare to come into a forum like this and discuss them only in the closet of anonymity, espressing hope that "reform" will somehow come. Dream on.
What motive does the Watchtower have for reform? If they admit their errors, which in effect would be admitting the "apostates" were right all along, they know from experience that there would likely to be a significant falling away. If they were to reform their shunning policy, they would relinquish their mightiest hold for absolute control over their flock--and it is very effective, as we all know.
The only thing that would force the Watchtower organization to reform--like any other organization--would be mass exodus--withdrawl of support, so that it would hit them where it hurts, in their bank accounts. If a sizeable faction of their membership left for issues made known, enough to impact them financially--that is what would initiate reform. But since only "apostates" leave (and don't let them kid you--they apply the Biblical definition of "apostate"), and since they cannot look at what "apostates" say with being an "apostate" (heads they win, tails you lose), it is not likely to happen. So the Watchtower Society has effectly rendered it next to impossible for anything like a reform movement to occur.
Clever, huh?
Ros
Ros