"It's a slowly dying religion that will last probably forever like an ancient rotted out tree."
Spot on my friend. Spot on. Decades ago we had a real zeal because explanations at least truly seemed to make sense. We didn't know the day or hour....but my God......70 or 80 years from 1914 narrows it down quite a lot. We had a true purpose.
I think that since the generation debacle of 17 years ago.......the new generation (no pun intended) of witnesses lacks that zeal you talked about. I think that deep down in their hearts....a LOT of witnesses realize that the GB is shooting from the hip with no real aim. But because of mind control they simply go on believing. What other choice is there for them? Throw away a lifetime of cherished beliefs?
I liken it to being on a deserted island. Decades ago....the brothers were marching up and down the sand....setting off flares and smoke signals.....staying up all night to do so because of how confident they were that they were going to see a ship on the horizon. Now....the brothers are kind of huddled in a cave.....doing what they need to do to survive......holding out hope that a ship may come some day.....putting a smile on their faces to encourage others....but in their hearts....they fear that they will never leave this cave.