bttt
We need help
by Lee Elder 13 Replies latest jw friends
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JanH
Lee,
I cannot remember any directly relevant studies now, but I suggest you check out the existing sociological studies of JWs that already exist: Beckford's 60s studies of JWs in Britain come to mind. Consult the bibliography in Penton's Apocalypse Delayed for further sources.
A questionnaire on this site or your own site is unlikely to be helpful. You will get a seriously skewed result, since most participants will be people who have left and now have major issues with the dubs. We are hardly representative for the huge group of people growing up in the sect.
For a pointer, I suggest looking at the actual number of children brought up in the dubs. Average childbearing rate would at least not be too far off. Then, look at the actual growth rate of the sect. You will have to find some way to account for new converts; I am not aware of any statistics for this, but there may be.
- Jan
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Pathofthorns
Your biggest problem that I see with the online survey is that you will not get an accurate assessment of the real situation regarding young people.
Most young people who "leave" are merely leading "double lives" and have not generally left the religion based on an informed decision. They still generally believe it is the truth, but have either rationalized things to justify what they do or plan on "straightening out" at a future date. As far as the subject of blood goes, I believe nearly all persons in these categories, including disfellowshipped ones would continue to refuse blood due to the indoctrination of the WT that "blood is bad medicine".
Those that post here or that would reply to a survey are generally not going to be returning to this cult because they understand it for what it is. Regarding blood, most of these people would now accept it in emergency situations, mostly due to your efforts in disseminating accurate information. But I believe these numbers represent a tiny fraction of the larger picture of JW youth who leave.
Path
(apologies in advance for me making all sorts of generalizations in this post..lol) -
Englishman
The only way I can do this is to think back to my teenage years. Then list everyone in my congregation who was of a similar age. Then work out who is still in and who is not, having left as a teenager.
Difficult! Off the top of my head I would say that around half of my peers departed.
Englishman.