At first when I read on JWD, as it was then, (now the greatest site on the net, JWN), that the JW's were a Cult. I rejected the label because my concept of a Cult was much the same as the general public's, that there has to be one charismatic leader etc.
There then ensued a lot of debate that showed me about Mind Control, Cognitive dissonance, and the cultish methods used by the WT/JW's since they began, and that they truly were a Cult, and gradually my eyes were opened.
I had spent 58 years since my birth in a mind-controlling cult.
I am not a moron, but it was a surprise to me, a shock, as was a lot of what I learned.
I am not unique, most who were in it, if the thought that it was a cult had crossed their mind, would have run away.
I am not sure what other thread you refer to Gubbers, but it is a shock when anyone who was well in finds out the truth about "Da Troof"
Wobble
p.s found the other thread, see what you mean, somewhat.