Most concerning for the Watchtower Society, is the high number of youths, either leaving or refusing to commit and get baptized. There are many reasons for their reluctance. Many progressive Christian churches now have a big emphasis on catering for children and youths. They are encouraged to join in at a level appropriate to their age. Youth groups, separate study classes, and extra activities are arranged and encouraged. The Society's has always had a policy of expecting children to sit still throughout meetings and pay attention to the adult programme. It is been seen as a test of parents ability to exact obedience from their children. The one size fits all meetings have always been boring for children but today’s children have shorter attention spans than they previous generations. They have been brought up with color television and computer games that offer quick action and excitement. Entertainment on demand is a normal part of life. By the time children become teenagers they expect the meetings to be boring and don’t want to attend.
Unlike children of years ago, they cannot be forced to comply. Giving a youth a thrashing in the washroom is no longer an option. The rebellion against parental authority that started in the roaring 60’s, has now become an accepted part of teenage behavior. Today’s youths have access to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the worldwide web. They can interact with people their own age and swap their experiences. Youths can now look at the whole Watchtower Society scene and read up on its failed prophecies. They are, in many cases, better informed than yesterday's youth.
Teenagers talk to each other, so they are aware that others are leaving school and pursuing further education. It is no longer such a big deal for a teenager to just say that they are not ready for baptism and will be going to college. Once away from the influence of the Watchtower Society, they rarely return to the fold. A growing number of teenagers, brought up by Witness parents, do not get baptized or go from door-to-door. The congregation simply views them as visitors who sometimes attend with their parents. At meetings they mix with other teenagers, sharing ideas and views. If they choose to date, there is little the elders can do, except have a word with the parents.
As children get older they face many temptations. The days when young people only stole a kiss in the rear seats of the local cinema, before leaping into a life long commitment of marriage, are long gone. This is a world full of attractive young people, who take it for granted they will have a number of sexual partners before settling down and raising a family; marriage is optional. To become a dedicated, baptized Jehovah's Witness, a young person today has to resist all such temptation.
There have always been sons and daughters of members who realized they were homosexual/gay. Their only option has been to suppress their sexuality and perhaps devote their lives to the Pioneer service, in the hope that they will be made ‘normal’ in ’the new world.’ They now live in at a time when western society accepts the right of people to be open about their sexuality. If these young people cannot find acceptance within the Watchtower Society, they now have the option of leaving and finding acceptance in society at large.
Young people are still encouraged to reject the opportunity of college and university. Reality is a stubborn intruder, and as unskilled work becomes harder to obtain, a young person who expects to pay their own way through life has to consider the high rate of unemployment. Finding meaningful employment is becoming more challenging, as the world continues to develop and become increasingly dependent on technology. The Society blame distractions, such as further education, and an active sex life, on Satan the devil and the snares he puts in the way of young people.
Much of the membership is well along in years. In order for the Society to thrive it must attract young people to join or retain the member’s children. With such a large turnover of adults and the exodus of young people, the momentum that the Society has enjoyed for so many years is slowing. Young people are able to use the worldwide-web and read the experiences of many others who now regret following the Society's education policy. The Watchtower Society's track record is there for all to see. Young people are able to study their history changing teachings. They read of the failed interpretations of prophecies and flip-flopping policies. They can decide for themselves whether the guidance this organization offers can be trusted.
Could it just be that the Watchtower Society is out of touch with reality? The elderly people that have been the backbone of most congregations for many decades are passing away. Unless the Watchtower Society addresses the changes that are taking place, the exodus of young people will continue. In such a climate many are asking the question - Can Jehovah's Witnesses SURVIVE?
Taken from: Can Jehovah's Witnesses SURVIVE? by Trevor Willis
