JWs have been excited about events last week. Their sensibilities have been fine-tuned to expect Armageddon at any moment, and last week's events seem extreme enough to lead to one thing after another.
I think these events will hurt the WTS in the long run. Here's why:
Consider the typical long-term JW. Surprised by the change in the generation teaching, hanging on hoping for any possibility that the end might come in the 20th century (as promised, or at least generally expected), disturbed by the slowing growth of the organization...maybe even thinking about leaving as so many have done in their Hall over the past few years. Y2K comes...and goes with nothing happening. The 21st-century comes...and so far goes with nothing happening....until BAM! Last week's events explode upon the world!
Ah, now some of the old excitement returns to this JW's life. Could this finally be it? Could this be the beginning of the end at last?
Fast-forward six months to a year from now. The economy has now recovered, the ongoing war against terrorism continues as background noise to the daily news. Occasional violence continues. But the end hasn't come. Things are continuing on as always. The WTC site is being rebuilt. The stock market is humming again.
I think this will be the last straw for JWs like this. They were half-thinking of drifting away already, then the excitment happened, but nothing came of it...again. That's it, they'll say, the WTS was wrong again.