Is WTBTS Preparing To Downsize?

by Englishman 11 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Englishman

  I am told that plans for a new bethel in Milton Keynes have been scrapped.

  Rumours are circulating amongst the UK witnesses that this decision has been taken because Armageddon Is Just Around The Corner following the incidents at the WTC.

  One wonders as to whether or not future downsizing might be due to an expected backlash and reduction in adherents following the exposure of the societies NGO membership of the United Nations, rather than the rather lame and oft repeated Armageddon Is Just Around The Corner sketch.

  I wonder.

  Englishman.

  Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....
• 

  Sirona

  Hi

  I didnt know the plans had been scrapped. Interesting. I doubt its the UN thing, because as far as I can see there hasnt been much effect locally. The Circuit Overseer went around saying it simply "wasnt true". Then theres the whole library card excuse, they just want something to hang onto to make them feel better "oh the society was right after all".

  They're likely just saving their money so they can buy the CO's and DO's a few more new cars.

  Sirona
• 

  Englishman

  Sirona,

  Interesting. I doubt its the UN thing, because as far as I can see there hasnt been much effect locally.

  Fair comment, but I think that a backlash is anticipated as this thing heats up. Couple that to the child abuse saga and you have a dynamite situation waiting to happen. I think it's just a matter of time.

  And to think that it was this site that started the whole thing off.

  Wow!

  Englishman.

  Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....
• 

  LDH

  They're likely just saving their money so they can buy the CO's and DO's a few more new cars.

  No, they're not. The local janitors and house cleaners pay for the new cars the CO and DO get.

  It just kills me. How many in the Cong have new cars? And yet these bastards get a new one like every two years.

  Of course, if you just have to have a car, I would suggest you visit
  * http://www.circuitleasing.com. Which is where you'll be able to buy a PREVIOUSLY OWNED sedan, and just think, it was driven by one of those spiritual GIANTS we know and love: The COs and DOs.

  Eman, in answer to your question, I hope that as the economy gets tighter, the janitors and housecleaners won't have ANY money to send to those bastards, and they'll have to start selling off their real estate holdings.

  Bastards.

  Lisa
• 

  JT

  lisa says:
  Eman, in answer to your question, I hope that as the economy gets tighter, the janitors and housecleaners won't have ANY money to send to those bastards, and they'll have to start selling off their real estate holdings

  #######

  i understand your pain and anger but in the real jw world of wt- there are less than 30 guys who really run the org and they will never be affected sad to say by the economy-

  they are so insulated it ain't funny- think about it - if they sold 30 branches and 50 assembly halls and 7000 kingdom halls on just the case alone not including all the insurance polices from old sisters, and stock from wills and so forth the KEY wt men and thier wives will never suffer money wise

  sad but true-- the wt over the years is a major corp that has many golden parachutes in place for it's key folks

  when you consider out of 6+ million there are only about a good 2 dozen guys who pull all the strings

  i read the post on the CO and DO- well even on the Branch level they are all at the mercy of WT-

  while the co do get hooked up thier life esp after 25-40 yrs on the road is not a pc of cake esp for co who are not in western countires

  most have nothing set aside for old age- i tell my mom all the time don't think only of the western CO think about the ones out in the bush and backwoods life is no pc of cake

  but your anger and frustration is understandable - you are like my wife

  james
• 

  ISP

  The UK situation re Bethel is somewhat skewed because of the French tax problems and that french mags etc. are now being printed here in the UK. There was a need to increase the facilities in the UK but that has nothing to do with an actual increase. If they decide to not proceed in MK..IMO it does not mean a great deal worldwide.

  ISP
• 

  hillary_step

  E'Man,

  Every Branch around the world is being subjected to drastic cost-cutting regimes at present. Most are being asked to curtail building and expansion and seek further ways to cut costs, even in some Branches settling for a lower grade of cuisine! Sections of Legal teams have been disbanded in Canada recently and I understand that this will be extended to other areas.

  The EEC courts are not being relied on to overturn the default tax status of the WTS, still in the balance. Potentially very expensive to the WTS and interest in acruing in the $1000's daily

  Armaggedon coming? No, I do not think this is the reason.

  I believe that the inevitability of the first large legal settlement relating to child-abuse issues is just around the corner and Legal know it. They also know that one large settlement will lead to another, and another. The Hare Krishna movement is undergoing similar joint legal actions for the same issues as we speak. Their own leaders are talking of having to sell major real-estate to pay the estimated $400-700,000,000 that they acknowledge will be the costs to them. This is the results of just 150 people suing in a joint action.

  The WTS is battening down the hatches for the expensive legal storms that certainly lie in wait for them.

  HS
• 

  Grout

  Hillary, I think you hit the real reason. We've seen how the lawyers are getting more influence recently. Their financial warnings are probably leading to a general belt-tightening.
• 

  waiting

  Howdy Hilliary,

  The WTS is battening down the hatches for the expensive legal storms that certainly lie in wait for them.

  A storm much deserved.

  waiting
• 

  larc

  I think their problems are at least five years old. The number getting baptized has declined in many countries for as many as ten years, in some cases. There has been no increase in 24 countries in average publishers in the past four years. I would guess that the number of doors knocked on per hour has declined steadily, based on comments made here.

  On thing the WT is, is a large marketing and manufacturing organization. As such, their marketing techniques are obsolete. With fixed costs in manufacturing and declining manufacturing volumes, their profit margins have to be declining as well. In fact, they may be loosing money at this point. Furthermore, publishers in their their cash cow countries, the U.S., Japan, and the European countries are not giving the time, money, and effort they used to.

  I think the information exchange found on the internet accounts for much of this decline. The recent events of Silent Lambs and the UN fiasco illustrate how much damage that public information does to their cause.

  Englishman, thank you for bringing up this most interesting subject. Hillery, thank you for the insider information.