jgnat said: I think we are seeing a silent protest building
That is exactly what I see. As things have progressed lately, the hardline seems to be the course the WT is taking.
I wouldnt call it reform - just yet. But the JW culture seems to me to be changing from the bottom up. The few JWs that come in today are a different breed, and more independent. And many of the ones who have been in the WT for yrs. feel a little shafted (gen change, college flip flops), even if they refuse to admit it, even to themselves. The kids are smarter and way more connected than I could even think to be at that age, and have way higher aspirations than "pioneering".
So now you have:
-Pubs(young)going to university
-Pubs (older) going back to school
-Pubs pursuing other interest i.e. getting a life
-Pubs putting in false hrs.
-Brothers filling seats, yet running from "priveleges"
-Brothers with priveleges trying to do less
-Brothers with priveleges who say enough and resign
-JWs who have accepted their circumstance and now the KH is more a social club
All the while nodding their heads in the yes, to make a show of being compliant and agreeable to any counsel. The disconnect with Brooklyn will continue. Heads nodding yes...but the hardline message falling on deaf ears.
Any organized movement at this point will have to be very careful...because if found it will be squashed swiftly and harshly. But a critical mass of protest of the silent kind is approaching. And once people start seeing that they are not at all alone in what they are thinking among the "friends" the WT will have a problem and some decisions to make.
Well actually, they already do have a problem and its not going away
just my .02
Axelspeed