JW.END

When the internet first became a common feature in most homes the Governing Body of Jehovahs Witnesses bombarded the congregations with warnings about its use.  It was described from the platforms, on more than one occasion, as Satan's tool, a method to introduce worldly thinking, pornography and false teachings into the very heart of the christian home.  They warned of the wasted time spent on surfing the internet that could be better spent on bible study and field service. Elders and CO's would solemnly recite examples of members who had been enticed away from the 'truth' by things they had seen and heard on the Web.

Today the Governing Body have embraced the internet with open arms.  In fact, if you didn't know better, you could mistakenly believe the organisation was called 'JW.ORG'!  The logo is emblazoned on Kingdom Halls, badges and their magazine / book stands.  Maybe I am mistaken but I thought they were supposed to highlight the name of their God Jehovah, so why have they removed the name in favour of a catchy domain name?  Is it because the bethel design team found the name 'Jehovah' a bit too cumbersome to deal with in an advertising brief?

Wouldn't 'Jehovah God.ORG' hit the Lords prayer brief of 'hallowed be thy name'?  It's not so catchy, not so clean and sexy as JW.ORG but at least it 'hallows' his name.

Their sudden and dramatic about turn in their attitude to the internet is hardly surprising.  The Governing Body may be made up of middle-aged and old men with old fashioned ideas and attitudes but they attract young and often bright boys to Bethel to 'volunteer'.  These kids grew up with the internet and understand its power and reach.  At some point one of these young men has been able to show the religions leaders the benefits that the world wide web can provide to an organisation that craves media exposure.  That craving has given birth to their own on-line TV channel.

Like all successful organisations JW's have adapted well to this new digital age and they are harnessing its power to generate revenue.  However, despite this new tool in their armoury (which I guess they have borrowed from Satan) recent activity reports from the religion have showed some alarming trends, most noticeably their growth has slowed to all but a trickle.  This should not be the case because hundreds of thousands of Witness children reach baptism age every year, this sector alone should ensure consistent and strong growth annually even if their preaching work didn't entice a single convert.

So why the sudden downturn for a religion that has boasted for years about it's strong growth?

JW's will claim it is bible prophesy; 'The love of the greater number will cool off'.  Actually the real reason is the media they first feared and then latterly embraced - the internet.  Information that they could once hide is now in the public domain and it is destroying the reputation they tried so hard to protect.  Young JW's are, like all other kids, curious and the internet allows them to probe and dig to an extent that was not possible for their parents.

So when the Governing Body deliberately mis-quote a scientist in their literature in order to mis-direct or even lie to prove a point, the kids can check and see the real quotation in context.  When the JW press office makes public statements about dealing with child abuse claims, the curious can find the secret 'Shepherd the Flock' elders handbook online and discover the real directions elders were given by their leaders.  There are many websites that document the hundreds of changes JW's have made to their teachings over the years and others that relay the insights and experiences of ex-JW elders, CO's, DO's and even former Governing Body members.

The Governing Body were right to fear the internet because knowledge is empowering.  Their lies, deceptions, manipulations and discord are now in the public domain.  It is the beginning of the end - not of this system but of their religion.