Witchywoman - Your post blew me away hon. I sat here reading it over and over. THAT angle had never occured to me before. You've hit the nail on the head.
You mentioned 'it's a way of life' to them, not a religion. Interesting oxymoron. It's only a way of life in that it rules their life, actions, decisions, time. But they will never admit to it being a religion,let alone a cult - because that would lump them in with worldly groups whom they want no part of. When I think of a religion that is a way of life - I think of the Quakers. (and they don't shun or look down on outsiders) They are self-sufficient and not business or money orientated. I don't know their beliefs, yet I know they ARE a community, and should the 'end' come, are far more prepared than the JWs, who depend on technology and money.
This leads to another point you made. The JWs becoming more tightly knit due to the end being so near. This idea escapes them - which proves their 'family' facade to be a facade. Instead, they are bickering and turning on themselves left, right and center. They call this weeding, but in the bible, the weeding is up to God. They have taken it upon themselves to judge, again, a job only God can do. As for the increase in converts - they themselves said in their literature that at some point it would slow down.
You said "Isn`t that the responsiblity of the gb to lead them into Jehovahs paradisaic government". If in fact they WERE the truth - yes. I will put a twist on your statement. The Governing Body is a parasitic earthly government, and have set themselves up as so.
You also said "I do not feel that what has ever been dispensed by these group of men has ever helped anyone to deal with living forever, only for living in the moment with an ideal look at the future, instead of a solid one." What they dispense has only helped to line their own pockets. They do not equip the dubs to live in the moment due to their stance on higher education. I have seen families who could've been living decently live in poverty due to this. One man had the education to be a professor but is working a minimum wage job - and has five children.
The GB is out for itself. They are a publishing company who control people's lives, and nothing more. If they believed they were truly God's organization, the corruption would not exist at this magnitude. One thing I have found is that they claim to be Jehovah's voice - his connection here on earth, yet these same people put the Pope down all the time.
Anyone who finally gets out witchywoman wonders how they could have believed all that crap. Don't be hard on yourself, because they are a cult and strategically wrap their rules around your throat and thoughts. Rejoice in the fact that you are free. We are now in a postion to help others.
As for the JWs losing followers - it was bound to happen, but I think the head honchos will pull back, regroup, wait until this blows over, and start again.... just like the Taliban.
Mimilly
