"I suspect that they (Jehovah Witnesses) have changed their strategy a little and concentrate on high-traffic areas rather than door-knocking, though I have seen pairs of them in streets near us occasionally."
Well Duff, that certainly strikes me as a better marketing strategy. Less hit and miss and far less labour intensive than banging on doors etc.
On the one hand, I certainly hope that Jehovah Witnesses are thriving - because there's already far too much religious persecution in this world without adding JW's to the list.
On the downside, I know there is a Kingdom Hall opposite Waitrose here in downtown Lewes but (call me slowmo) I only just realised a few weeks ago that it's a JW outpost and it seems to be doing well. It is plastered with so many posters with day-glo Biblical slogans on them that I can't really see myself as ever wanting anything to do with such a screechy shouty outfit.
I suppose it must take a very special type of person to want to join the JWs - and I am just not that kind of person. Certainly not the kind of person described in your Guardian link! It's not just the Catholics then? Religions all seem to have kiddy fiddlers' skeletons in their gold encrusted cupboards.
I think I made the right choice deciding to be a Humanitarian when I was thirteen.