Randy/Dogpatch has posted some interesting material about troubles in the organization. This info generated a lot of skepticism about the possibility of Watchtower fragmentation. Frankly, it is very easy to be skeptical considering everything that ordinary Witnesses are willing to believe or put up with.
I think it would be useful to realistically consider what sort of event(s) would bring the Watchtower down or cause its fragmentation? I look for an answer by considering the organization as having 3 levels and looking at what could happen to each.
1) Trouble At The Top - if you have ever known a congregation to fall apart, the reason usually involves bad elders. The same thing could happen to the organization if the Governing Body (AKA 'The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight') continues their poor judgement, negativity, and lack of care for publishers. Examples?
Judging music is subjective, obviously, but I don't see how anyone can avoid thinking that the new songbook is the worst ever. Pedantic, uninspiring, plodding, with hack lyrics. At least with the 'molested bees' book, they had a few good tunes. Just another reminder about how distant and unfeeling they are.
Let's throw in their endless condemnation of anything new, novel or interesting in the world at Circuit Assemblies. Let's add their latest slap in the face to bored, tired publishers by declaring that the 'congregation is not a social club'. Add the end of local book studies and 'goodie night'.
...........and then let's also add their continuing betrayal of their most loyal supporters at Bethel - tossing them into the worst job market in 60 years and shutting down Branches. These folks have relatives and friends - and they talk....
In addition, their spreading fear and warnings about apostates tends to eliminate the practise of moderation and good sense. Who wants to be accused?
You would think they are trying an experiment such as 'how greatly can you compromise an airplane before it crashes?' You unscrew some bolts, grind off some paint, drain some fuel, fire the crew one at a time and keep at the task until it dives into the ground and explodes. How much is too much?
I don't think it is likely but a prolonged public legal struggle or exposure involving the GB could bring it all down. You never know.
2) The Failing Middle - they are losing elders but they also are stuck with the dilemma of what to do with Circuit Overseers. If they keep them, they are stuck with horrible potential liability because there is a strict hierarchy and chain of command. If they lose the C.O.'s, they WILL likely disintegrate. And the C.O's cost them money, too.
Consider too, that if they 'lose the middle', they also isolate themselves from needed contrary opinion. There has always been a problem with sycophants and a$$-kissers in Bethel but their experience with condemning oral sex illustrates how a few guys with common sense saved the organization from devastation caused by their legalistic view of 'sodomy'. Elders started grilling married women about what they did to please their husbands and the whole thing was turning into a huge disaster. Wiser heads prevailed - do you think that will always be the case?
3) The Decaying Base -what will they do if their economic model fails? They print and print and where are the donations? Will the neglected publishers be inclined to give more if they are treated so badly? What would happen if most every publisher knew about the head tax and fake deficits at the Assemblies? If older publishers are complaining that their kids need college and retirement plans, will they leave their estates to the Society? These older people are their biggest and most loyal supporters - and they criticise them? What does this say about the loyalty of the rest?
The above are some thoughts to build on or critique. I conclude that fragmentation is a growing possibility, at the very least.
metatron
