Thanks for the link sbf. Interesting reading. I do agree with your assessment that it is quite interesting that the census figures are showing a much different trend. I don't know what the US census questions will be next year, but if they ask to identify with a religion I certainly wouldn't mark down JW. And, as far as the local congo thinks, I'm an active supporting member who turns in a fs slip. I only go so as not to lose family relationships, yet I give no money and don't believe much of what they teach.
I wonder if this reduction on such a confidential form is really an indication that there are way more folks in my situation than the WTS believes? I do agree with the statement that there are way fewer walk away believers than before, likely because of the information available debunking the believe that the WTS is God's chosen organization. I'm sure that has a big part in the census results since before people who were df'ed would still identify as JW even though the WTS considered them birdfood.