Not everyone can cope without their family/support system.
A total outsider with nothing to lose cannot even begin to understand the situation. There is no empathy, where there is no understanding.
Further, a thread like this accomplishes nothing.. It has no effect.
Except for perhaps making a few people feel guilty for choosing to sacrifice their freedom to speak their mind, in order to stay in touch with loved ones.
Those who are motivated to leave and are capable of it, will do so. An organised walkout will not add any further motivation for those scared of losing their families.
A million JW's could disassociate themselves tomorrow, and I would still remain an active JW. (My family are all 100% hardcore believers..)
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From your OP:
" I get the sense that all 35% or more don't like it - don't believe in it - feel it's a burden - ...hate to go - feel trapped. That is ridiculous.
The only thing propping them up is that 35% smile and pretend nothing is wrong - encouraging active members that all is good - and enticing new members to electro-shock religion because soooo many people appear to be members. The person next to you probably feels just as trapped as you but can't say anything.
They hate it too but put on a smile and don't want to get caught. They're scared to get caught. They may be there just because so many fake people that hide too all still go.
Pull the plug. Stop going so that they cannot claim so many numbers and sound so appealing to draw more people in. Shout. Shout a warning to all that this is not where they want to be.
Those that do still attend are supporting them - in numbers and presence - stop it."
The total number of JW's will not make their insane teachings, controlling propaganda and boring routine of field service and indoctrination, any more or less appealing.. Not to a single person, in my view. Other factors attract people to this group.
And regarding those on the inside of the organisation, those who may be faking it ..
If you know that your family and friends are not believers, it's all a big social club to them, and thus they would be ready to walk away if you were to do so.. Great.
If you are sure that your circle of friends and family is that laid back about "the Truth", then why bother to walk out? You are already as good as free. Just do the inactive fade-away thing.
Of course, if your family are not motivated by your 'bold stand for what you believe in', because they believe it all, so they treat you as though you were dead.. Ah well, you've only lost everybody who is important to you, eh? Never mind (!). At least you have lowered the attendance figures and no longer support the mostly irrelevant little cult known as the Watchtower.. How happifying.
Encouraging people to walk away purely because others may follow you out of the door, is a bit like encouraging people to play Russian roulette, in my view. Unless you already know which of the chambers are loaded (ie knowing which people in your family and friends don't believe any more), or you have nothing to lose (in terms of family and friends), then why would anyone take the risk?
Why should I destroy my life and lose my family, just to DA and subtract one number from a total on a worldwide report?
There is nothing ridiculous about a person being afraid of losing their family and friends, their whole support system.
Each one must carry his own load. ;)
