I'm not JW, so I see this all standing up and very clear from an outsider perspective (I am still seeking my path). I joined the blog a few weeks ago. I dated a divorced JW (JW from birth) for a couple of years recently. Even engaged for a day before her brother found out, and she thanked me for f@#@!ing up her entire life. (I am a guy - I just like the icon). Along the way I did an incredible amount of reading and research on the WT/JW trying to figure the whole thing out. But nothing worked to free her mind. Way too much reading about Russell and Rutherford.
But I know she was with me against the rules - so that says something. Does anyone in the JW really follow the "rules". If you break the rules - God would know. All she really cared about was not getting caught by humans. What does that tell you?
All I see is a publishing company run amok. For many years they have conned so many people into being FREE door-to-door sales people. And more recently FREE workers for their real estate empire. Where does the money really go? I know it sounds simplified - but look at the empire they have built with FREE labor. My personal religious concepts aside - it does not sound legitimate. Who mentally trains people and emotionally brainwashes people "because God said so" with the fear that if they don't obey they will get kicked out and their life will be f@#@!ing over? ding, ding, ding - right answer for 50 points.
I have seen postings from 1000s of active/former WT/JW on hundreds of websites. So many people separated and isolated and recovering and complaining. But no one really does anything. They are one group. ONE GROUP. What if all of the anit-WT/JW people came together as a unified group to stand in opposition? There is a webpage, a document, a video, a page, a book, a testimonial - per every American/Canadian/UK Witness. Attract the people who bailed 20yrs ago to join. I get the sense that all 35% or more don't like it - don't believe in it - feel it's a burden - lie about time sheet (WTH does a time sheet have to do with religion? God would know - why do humans have requirements for sales quotas?) - 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. Their scared shitless 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.
I like the post about picking a date for a mass exodus. A very significant % left when Rutherford became a dictator and they went back to the true roots of Russell (for what ever it's worth). Perhaps for those trapped can play a roll, if even anonymously. A unified website. A campaign. A letter campaign. Mail bomb them. Use the same type of propaganda to free their minds - our make a change. I saw a fund-me campaign for a billboard outside of a conversion - I like that one - money where your mouth is.
Don't sit around complaining. Do something. Create a "free you mind" manifesto. Collect a million signatures. Free their minds - or create a list of demands to change to GB. There is strength in number is you would just unite with all the other websites and former WT/JW - and active WT/JW whole hate it and feel trapped (paraphrase William Wallace).
Find a way out. Provide a plausible alternative. Start a new church. Online church - I don't know. Usurp donations for a better cause. Those trapped and lost don't know what the alternative is. Create a unified website. Some group sit down and prepare a 12-step program of proof, documents, movies, testimonials. From all of the experience this group has - put it to use. Send an email to every TRUTH website asking them to join a unified front.
What I do know is a 1000 different TTATT dissociated websites isn't going anywhere and has no impact. Which is the basis for the WT/JW - if you leave, or if they kick you out, you'll have no place to go. You're screwed. Give them some place to go and feel welcome. It underminds the whole love you or your f@#$ked mentality that makes them so effective. Half want to leave, and the other half can't figure out how. Give them away. If you countermand their control over people and they will fall. Stop waiting in the wings and talking about gossip and wishing. Propaganda and money is their weak points - be better at it - they will fall. Minds will be free.
I'm going to bow out for now. But you all really have a chance to make a difference if you unify, present a unified front, educate, and provide an alternative for recovering WT/JW.