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In Reply to: and why? posted by Passing By on May 09, 2004 at 20:36:27:
Here's my wish list for what TF could do to reinvent itself:
1) Elect new leaders and get rid of the royalty. I know this is radical, but TF could move forward to the 18th century and protestant reformation for some "new" ideas about church governance.
2) Become transparent. Hire an independent auditor to provide an accounting of the organization's resources and liabilities. Disclose this information to tithing members. Yeah, I know, another radical notion, this time from late 19th century.
3) Publically admit to the institutional abuse that occurred during Berg & Zerby's reign. Provide Interpol and other investigative agencies with the passport identities and location of Zerby & other top leaders responsible for the nightmare of sexual abuse, sadism, and Victory Camps. OK, now they've entered the 20th century on institutional responsibility for child welfare.
4) Maybe the SGAs who remain tithing members could get a clue about the real economic burden of keeping the organization afloat. Existing members get educations and vocational training so that they can enter the workforce as productive labor. Now that's a really radical notion! Pay your own way in the world by producing goods and services for the human family to whom you feel called to show God's love.
Actually, this would put TF in the 21st century. Somone has to support the FGAs as they physically decline and are unable to work at begging. As it now stands, many are at high risk for resettling as paupers in western industrialized countries with decent social safety nets. The more fortunate ones have forgiving & generous adult children who are becoming successful systemites.
This statistic about 50% leaving also bothers me. Assuming it's true, who are these people? Are we talking about SGAs?
