MAGNUM:
Yes, people have long suggested this and I agree that the virus/lockdown with Witnesses going online and using Zoom is a perfect excuse for the religion to sell more halls.
But, I don’t think anybody has thought about the unintended consequences of there being few or almost no physical congregations to attend.. What about people who need ‘association’?..What about needy individuals in congregations looking for handouts?
There really needs to be a physically present congregation and real live people for somebody with an envelope to beg money from..What about bethelites who got dumped AND what about the possible new bumper crop of more bethelites who might be let-go when the religion realizes it needs even fewer of them?
You might say ‘well the elders can send texts and emails to people to cough up more money or ask who has extra rooms?’...Yes they could try that..but they’d get a lesser result compared to having members in person they can put on the spot.
It is not that I am personally concerned about these people - No, not at all. It is just the sad fact that those who sacrificed so much are the ones who are going to suffer the most because of the incredible shrinking religion! The whole scenario just makes me SO glad I got out years ago.