Old Hip... As I thought more about this, the only way the reporter could know that they were JW's would be if, whoever he interviewed, VOLUNTEERED the information. I'm sure one of his investigative questions wasn't "So, what religion were they?"
You know how JWs are...They always flaunt their religion, no matter how simple OR how tragic the event is. Think about it, Hip. You asked, "Would it have been stated that 'the families were Catholics'?" Probably not, because the people getting interviewed wouldn't say, "We're Catholic and we were just out having some fun" or something to that effect. Only JWs start off sentences with "We're Jehovah's Witnesses and...". Why? Because that's part of the "drill".
First day in school? Tell everyone you're a JW. First day at a new job? Tell everyone you're a JW. Do a favor for someone? Be sure to give a witness by telling them you're a JW. Change a flat tire for a stranded motorist? Be sure to tell them that you are a JW. Find a large sum of lost money? Turn it in and tell them, NOT that you are a good Samaritan, but that you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
This is the only reason why this is even stated in the article. Likely, more than one interviewee volunteered the JW information and the reporter deemed it appropriate that it's important for those involved.
Edited by - Funchback on 26 September 2002 9:59:11