I'm sorry to be a 'wet blanket'. but I must point out that the WTS is NOT losing numbers, not globally at any rate. Instead, worldwide, the Dubs are still increasing. Admittedly, the growth has slowed, but remember that's happened before, only to see a re-surge of new converts after a few more years.
I must respectfully disagree ozziepost.
If you accept any statistics as provided by the Watchtower Society in their Yearbooks or other publications, then you are as naive as a child.
Overzealous publishers with a desire to keep elders from hounding them fudge their service reports to appear more righteous than they truly are, and as referenced on this thread:
it is a commonplace practice, and a global phenomenon.
Couple that with the Watchtower Society's implementation of the 15-minute publisher, and it is readily apparent they are desperately trying to boost numbers.
Even going by their OWN yearbooks, the developed countries such as the United States, Canada, and several in Europe show ZERO growth or LOSS of numbers, and these are altered statistics.
Consider the mass exodus of the youth and the turnover ratio of converts. How many Witness kids do you know BORN into the cult and REMAIN as adults? The growth of this website alone is testament that the numbers of those leaving the JW cult is increasing.
Did you see Panorama? Notice how EMPTY the District Convention audience was? When driving past my old Kingdom Hall, I noticed on a sunny summer Sunday, the parking lot was only HALF full.
Then when you consider that so many are DF'ed every year for whatever reason, or their long-time loyal members are kicked out for questioning the organization (i.e. Joe and Barb Anderson, Bill Bowen).... then YES, you have a LOSS of numbers.
I know you said globally they are increasing. I still do not buy into it. If the core representation of their membership is in third-world underdeveloped nations, they will STILL suffer. Why? Because the WT will then lack the revenue to continue publishing their literature and suck up real estate. Why? They will simply not have the money. The poor people they convert will not have it to give.
This is only a matter of time.
Any increase they show is a masking of reality. With altered numbers on service reports in which so many individuals feel guilty about NOT spending time in field service report 50 hours when they did not spend a minute.. they are NOT active publishers. When they initiate the 15-minute rule to try to BEG people to go out in service and report their time. When they lose numbers who leave in disgust over the pedophilia scandal and other issues (i.e. generation doctrine change, blood policy, UN affiliation), when people who have been long time members (40+ years) are kicked out for questioning the practices of the GB, when thousands are DF'ed...
They ARE losing numbers, where it counts. The youth and the developed nations with funds capable of facilitating their growth.
DIE WATCHTOWER DIE!
