Although I've observed the differences you describe, I don't think in terms of "political parties" when I interact with people on the board.
I am personally wary of the goal of "bringing down the WT." I get the impression that some folks believe that if the Watchtower Society were gone, the followers would miraculously be freed from twisted beliefs and behavior. Consider this:
Several speakers for the Commission highlighted this paradox: What is odd about cults is that, particularly during the process leading to membership, the victim is an actor [‘actor’ in the literal sense of one who acts, one who does, is not a passive victim]. A certain parallel can be established with the stages of drug addicts: "We have controversies with parents of drug addicts. These parents think--and in a way, they’re right--that without the horrible dealer their child would be an angel. They forget the nine tenths of the way that the unfortunate child traversed, responsibly or not, but of his own will, to go into the arms of the aforesaid dealer. One should not forget the voluntary share of the follower, who is not an imbecile that one would manipulate - it is you and me--, but (...) who went deliberately." In this light, the cult recruiters could be regarded as "dealers of transcendence." In this respect, an analogy used by a person heard by the Commission seems to clearly illustrate the conscious character of the steps of the future follower: "Cults are not a net that falls down on people, but a lobster trap into which they swim." from "Les Sectes en France," December 22, 1995
If the JW "drug" were off the market, I believe many people would find a substitute drug. The key is to treat the addiction itself.
I agree that the WT Society shoulders a heavy share of blame. At the same time, I do not want to forget the share shouldered by the followers themselves for choosing to give these men power over their lives.
I hope to see efforts continue at both ends--dismantling the lobster trap set by the GB, and giving people the information they need to make informed decisions so they will recognize lobster traps wherever they occur, e.g. religion, politics, finance, relationships.
My hope is that the divisions in the XJW world will balance and moderate each other. After reading Eric Hoffer, I am also wary of "causes," yet I wonder if the pendulum will have to make several extreme swings before it eventually settles into a more gentle rhythm in the middle.
Ginny
