The deity (or whatever it is) instructed (back in 1936 approx.) the movement to draw up posters with the figure of 5 billion to be clearly stated as the maximum number of souls taking part in the drama. One would expect a being calling itself God to be real, real accurate on such an issue.
The Murlis I heard, or read in the 1980s, mentioned on a number of occasions the figure of 5.5. billion – fair enough, should be taken as a more precise figure than the earlier well-rounded figure.
The 5.5 billion figure was accepted by all. It was written into BK literature, it was taught in classes, nobody ever disputed it, there was never any debate about it, "The Voyagers" story mentions the figure as well, if my memory serves me correctly.
In the early 1990's, I heard a BK teacher suggesting that the figure was 5 to 6 billion. I thought this a bit strange. Where, oh where, did the 6 come from?? In 1993 approximately, the 5.5 billion figure was reached. As we all know nothing happened and nothing was ever said. The BKWSU made no comment on the matter. It just slipped by apparently unnoticed.
Now, 14 years later, I hear that Murlis have been altered to now show 6.5 billion. A classic tactic used by all these "End of World" groups. When deadlines come and go, keep moving the goalposts, the followers are too far gone to notice or to care.
Why do present BKs not make an issue of the blatant population anomaly and create a stir? Why do they not walk away?
- 1. Most are unaware of the altering of figures by the "divine" and his minions
2. People's "stages" are at stake (stage – word used to describe a person's level of confidence in the philosophy, can be quite fragile and brittle at times, if one’s stage is weak and under threat then the person is more vulnerable to Maya (delusion) which of course brings million-fold punishment and loss of inheritance etc. All your hard work and intense efforts can be lost in an instant. Fear of leaving, of drowning, of punishment, of losing everything is way too great.
3. Those who have been in the organisation for 10, 20, 30 or more years have gone too far to turn back now. More than half a lifetime, for some, has been invested, too many bridges have been burned. Too much money has been donated to the yugya. Careers have been largely abandoned. Just think of all the people that you suckered into following your lifestyle. Half a life time is a loooooooonnnnnngggggg time. If you joined the BKs in your early twenties, then apart from childhood, almost all your life has been BK related
4. A huge social network and support structure has been built up over the years by those in the movement, extremely difficult to walk away from and start all over again, the sheer embarrassment of it all.
5. Newcomers must not hear of these irregularities as they would never fully commit, it’s difficult enough to get people in the door in the first place
6. For years BKs have looked down on other faiths, they know the huge inadequacies of other religions, they are very well informed as to what’s out there. I would imagine that it is most likely that ex-BKs simply become agnostics when they leave, mainstream religion has no appeal.
- 1. Be evasive. Ramble and waffle your way out of it. Wear them down and wear them out.
2. Embarrass them into silence
3. Change the subject
4. Make the questioner feel that these types of questions have been asked and answered before
5. Make the questioner feel that these types of questions are childish
6. Make the questioner feel that they are a nuisance, that they lack intelligence, that they are stupidly asking the same old questions, all very subtle
7. Tell them to go to India and ask Baba (fat chance)
8. Tell them to meditate on the question and maybe Baba will give them an answer
9. Tell them to ask someone who is more senior (usually not available, doesn’t actually know or doesn't really care)
10. Encourage them to get working on their dharna and take less sleep!
11. Make them feel that they are too inadequate to understand the esoteric nature of the answer, one day they'll get it
12. Only encourage question and answer sessions on waffley issues
13. Make them feel that the question is quite trivial and that there are much more important things to discuss.
14. Take a traffic control break
15. Tell them that they think too much !
16. They don't feel they have to answer to anyone, sheer arrogance.