I have recently seen one thread about the differences between the Witnesses and those other religions. So I will explain some of my earlier experiences as a Catholic and contrast them to the Witness experience.
My family was active as a Catholic when I was about 6 or so. Between 1969 and 1971, we went to church most of the time (I don't remember much before that). I do remember Sunday school, where we would be herded to for about half an hour before joining the main service. That was held upstairs, and lasted another 45 minutes. I also remember getting dressed up in suits during this time.
It wasn't all that homogeneous. There was the week of Labor Day when, instead of having service, we just went outside and had a picnic/cookout. The day was sunny and warm, and we had games for the children that day. The following year, we also had a cookout but it was raining so we had to have a tent to shelter us from the rain. These "gameouts" happened about once a year, and took the place of a service.
Life as a Catholic was not that strict aside this. About 6 times a year, we missed church to go camping, or to do something away from town. They didn't make a big deal when this happened. It was more important for people to have fun, when done a few times a year, than to have perfect attendance. Those in the clergy and the ones running the show had more duties, but the regular laity did not have to be there every single Sunday.
Outside of church, things were not that different. We had our share of birthday parties, and they were fun. I especially liked my own birthday (who didn't), as well as one friend (who was also Catholic) that we went occasionally to visit. Holidays were celebrated, gifts and all. I didn't get much into Christmas carols, but I did like the process of getting the house decorated for Christmas. And I liked the trips (there were two each year) that were made to visit relatives across the region (each trip was around 70 or 80 miles long each way and lasted all day). Easter was also celebrated, as were all other holidays. It broke up the year and made for some major markers in my life.
Life every day was normal. We listened to the radio, and my mother liked the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones. The TV wasn't much in use those days (obviously, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, internet was not a factor). We had our share of material things, and we did the usual things in school. We had to salute the flag, and we got to play with other children and go on class trips that also made major markers in life. And I got to go to college when I graduated from high school.
Compare this to the Witnesses. They are not allowed any distractions at the meetings. I have been there almost 20 years, and not once did I see a "gameout" in place of a meeting. In fact, all the meetings were critical meetings that everyone was going to miss out on something lifegiving if we blew it off. There are three a$$emblies (marathon meetings, no fun) and the Crapmorial (another boring meeting that is the same every year). Children are not supposed to have any toys (some do, but the parents get hounded by Brother Hounder if they are caught). No age-appropriate material is available for those younger than about 10.
The whole week is built on the religion. You go to "church" three times a week, and if you miss one, you can expect a call from Brother Hounder. Between "church", you had to go out in service. They wanted people to spend Saturday out in service every week (there goes TV). Anyone going on vacation is urged to find the Kingdom Hall and go to the meetings and go in service at the destination in lieu of having any real fun once there. (This is in the May KM just about every year). Going out on weekend trips aside from this is frowned on heavily, and if you do too often, Brother Hounder is going to have a talk with you.
Every day life is interfered with. Of course, you cannot celebrate birthdays or holidays, no matter how much you like someone. There are no special trips that happen every December or March/April. The music you listen to has to be censored: if you leave the radio on, you will be hounded. Not even that today's music is filthy and yesterday's music is clean (that is more reasonable, since much of today's music has swearing and drug use, inappropriate for small children, while older music doesn't). Even if you listen to vintage music, you still have to hit the OFF button frequently for "bad" songs. Go to a film, and you have to worry about (1) stumbling someone and (2) stealing time from Jehovah.
The school scene is also a mess. Witness children are not supposed to play with other children that are not Witnesses. They cannot participate in parties. They are not supposed to do after school activities or go on class trips. They cannot salute the flag, often making them targets for teasing. Their school work is often impaired by having been up until past 10:00 PM the night before for that Service Meeting or because a work is not in accordance with their religion. They are not supposed to go to college after graduating: they are supposed to pioneer. They have cracked down on that position once again (the D.E.A.D. threat).
What does this do? It leaves life a blur. There are no "marker events" except getting baptized and starting that first study (and who really gives a fxxx about these when they turn 30 or so? Service eats up all their play time, and they have no fun that amounts to anything. True, some children are let off the hook by parents that are more lenient than this. But, usually Brother Hounder or the hounder-hounder will take care of it. If not, it usually means the parents are "weak" and will be dealt with accordingly. Children whose parents are "strong" almost never have any real fun.
I know that the Catholic Church is not the truth, either. And they are not wholly innocent. It was them, after all, that edited the Bible back in St Augustine's day. It was them that helped start the Dark Ages and keep it going with the Inquisitions, witch hunts, and crusades. And they continue starting and fighting wars for nothing. But, when you look at what the religions do to children, the damage done by the Catholic Church pales when compared to the Witnesses. If I had to choose one of these, I would for sure choose the Catholic church, even with its faults and failings. At least Catholic children get to live somewhere near normal lives.