Amnesian,
I know, it sounds rediculous. It is not too different from any other movement where the ideals of the group actually become the focal point of activity in a kind of mental sickness participated in by all supporters. I maintain that, while it is possible that a few know it is all a scam, by far the majority of those guys running the show are under the delusion that they are actually serving God and being used by him. There may be some in organized crime who are under a simliar delusion but I would suggest that most wise guys are fully aware they are simply running a scam and have no delusions about some higher power pulling the strings.
The WTS will perpetuate itself in spite of itself. If there are splinter groups in the future, as there have been in the past, it will be because some believe that God has withdrawn support and is now leading them in a new direction. This stuff has been going on for centuries and the mental sickness is passed on from generation to generation. The Roman Catholic Church has been running this scam for quite some time, as have several splinter groups coming from that organization. I don't believe there is a conscious decision by a group of leaders to concieve and then orchestrate an elaborate scam. These people are deluded and think they are acting for God. A scam it is but in the eyes of the participants it is the truth and their connection to God.
In the case of the Mob, they are simply capitalizing on man's credulity and know full well it is all an elaborate scheme and work hard to keep it going for their benefit. Whatever delusions they have about God is not responsible for their actions. In the case of the JW/WTS, they have become what they are because they are deluded and led along by their common belief that they are God's people. They act wickedly and in many ways are similar to the Mob in how they operate but their comprehension of reality is not the same.
I respect your thoughts on this Amnesian, and you could be right. I would like to believe that these guys are fully aware of what they are doing and have no delusion about any direction from some silly god. That they are sitting around laughing with one another over the very successful scam they are running and how stupid people are to swallow this stuff. That would make it easier to attack them and open up chinks in their armor. Unfortunately, I do not think that this is the case. Rather, I think that these men are mentally sick and being carried along by thier own delusions. They really beleive this stuff is the truth and that armageddon is near, and all the other rediculous "hope" they perpetuate. Maybe I am wrong and you will prove to be right on this point. I am open to anything at this point in my life and only hope that I can get my family out before it is too late for them.
Sean
