Census / online survey idea - thoughts please...

by cedars 27 Replies latest watchtower scandals

• 

  Mickey mouse

  So all we need to do is discover catnip for apostates?

  If you make sure the survey link has a reference to naked women in it you'll at least get a response from Iamallcool.
• 

  DT

  I think it is a great idea. I have several blogs where I would be willing to place a banner. I don't think that the survey would be very scientific, but just having a number of any kind would be helpful. We could also get a general idea of the proportions of apostates inside verses outside the organization and the general attitudes and beliefs of those who are affected.
• 

  mummatron

  Many businesses and university researchers use surveymonkey.

  You could also use http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ to petition the UK Government. That will require 100,000 signatures from British citizens and UK residents, BUT these wouldn't all need to be XJWs, so you'd just need to get as many sympathic people as possible to sign up. As long as it's publiscised enough, it is possible. Perhaps mentioning in the petition outline why many leave (i.e. the idiocy of the blood fractions & organ donation flip flops) then people will sign!

  Good luck.
• 

  headisspinning

  I have put together a few surveys for work with Survey Monkey. Maybe you could put together a list of 10 questions to start and then start a thread and see what additional questions could be added. I've noticed the board is very helpful with this sort of thing if you can just get the ball rolling.

  Once you have all the questions hammered out I would be happy to put the actual survey together. Then we would need someone to create a simple banner with a link to the survey and get cooperation from some of the other ex J-Dub sites. Survey Monkey is great because it will compile all the stats and it's really easy to use.

  :) HIS
• 

  cedars

  Thanks everyone. I haven't tried Survey Monkey before, but I'll take a look at it.

  I actually have a background in graphic design myself, so creating a banner with a link shouldn't be a problem.

  If Survey Monkey is as good as it sounds, then the only hard part should be getting as many "apostate" websites as possible 'on board'. Hopefully they will see the value of this idea too.

  mummatron - I love the petition idea. Perhaps we could incorporate that into the survey. I'll give it some thought.
• 

  blondie

  I think it would be more effective to show how jws who are employed by jws, lose their jobs when they become df'd, da'd, or inactive. Or jws that have their own business, find all their clients dropping out, even violating contracts. Or jws who rent from another jw, being evicted or having their lease not renewed because of religious reasons.

  It is very hard in the US to effectively litigate a case about libel or slander. Finding an attorney that will take such a case is hard because they want to be paid.
• 

  cedars

  Right, I've designed a survey using surveymonkey. What do you think to these questions folks? (please note, the first two questions are compulsory, the remaining ones are optional)

  Thoughts please...

  1. Please can you indicate which part of the world you come from? (at least tell us which country)

  City/Town:
  State/Province:
  Country:

  2. What is your current relationship to Jehovah's Witnesses?

  I am an active Jehovah's Witness (I go on the ministry every month) I am an inactive Jehovah's Witness (I no longer go on the ministry every month) I was disfellowshipped from Jehovah's Witnesses I disassociated myself from Jehovah's Witnesses I have friends/family who are Jehovah's Witnesses (I was never baptized as one)

  3. If you are currently one of Jehovah's Witnesses, do you consider yourself to be either of the following:

  of the anointed (Little Flock, heavenly hope) of the great crowd (Other Sheep, earthly hope) neither of the above

  4. If you are disfellowshipped or disassociated from Jehovah's Witnesses, what was the reason?

  I broke a bible command I disagreed with the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses I would rather not say

  5. For how many years have you been (or were you) a baptized Jehovah's Witness?

  6. Do you currently hold any of the following positions?

  Ministerial Servant Elder Circuit Overseer District Overseer Branch Committee member Gilead Graduate / missionary MTS (or BSSB) Graduate Bethel volunteer Regular Pioneer Special Pioneer None of the above

  7. Which of the following beliefs/practices of Jehovah's Witnesses do you DISAGREE with (if any)?

  Witnesses who leave are to be shunned by family members if they are old enough to leave home Blood transfusions are to be refused, even if life is at stake Paedophilia is a judicial matter more than a crime Paedophiles are not automatically disqualified from serving as elders in the future Understanding of bible prophecy (i.e. most prophecies for the 'last days' fulfilled in early 20th Century) The Governing Body is God's sole channel of communication The Governing Body does not need to have any contact with the anointed remnant The concept of "increasing light" Young people are not to pursue higher education Young people should not be involved in extra-curricular sports Only the anointed should partake of memorial emblems The treatment of women in the organization Masturbation is wrong Celebrating birthdays is wrong Apostates are "mentally diseased" (w11 7/15 p16) The insistence on 607 BCE for the fall of Jerusalem, contrary to commonly-accepted historical evidence Jesus Christ is only a mediator for the 144,000, and not for the Great Crowd Refusal to accept aspects of evolutionary theory Others that are not mentioned above None, I agree with all teachings

  8. Were you previously aware that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York was affiliated with the United Nations as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) from 1992 to 2001?

  Yes No

  9. If you feel able, please write a few words to express your true feelings towards the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Be as open and honest as possible. Nothing that you say will be used against you.
• 

  Alfred

  Cedars

  EXCELLENT IDEA... and excellent survey questions...

  would you consider adding: "are you fully aware of the what is behind the two baptism questions you were asked at the assembly?" If so, "please explain what these questions should mean to anyone considering baptism in this religion"...
• 

  cedars

  Thanks Alfred!

  Good question tip. Unfortunately I only get 9 questions before I need to get a paid account on surveymonkey. If the initial survey is a success, we can always look at doing a more expanded survey in the future with similar questions to yours? Appreciate the support though. It will be interesting to see how many fill it in...
• 

  headisspinning

  Cedars

  I'm not entirely 100% about your questions... I would ask the board to help sharpen some of them.

  For example, the one about why people were disfellowshipped asks if the individal 'Broke a Bible Command'... the truth is, people get disfellowshipped for breaking WatchTower/GB commands. I think that should be highlighted.

  To be most effective, you need to completely NAIL the top ten (or nine) MOST effective questions and ask them in the MOST precise way. To do that, you need serious feedback.

  The lack of comments you are getting is indicating that maybe someone has tried this before OR the Senior members are hesitating getting involved for some reason.

  BEFORE you launch this, I would suggest that you open up to a complete overhaul of the questions and also find out why the key players on this board and not getting too involved.

  :) HIS