So I was fooled by the witnesses. What can I learn from that? Not to
accept things at face value but to seek out opinion and different view
points.
I mean this kindly, so please don't take it the wrong way.
You state that you were fooled by the JW's. Don't stop at that point. Keep going. What was the nature of the deception?
The JW's are one of the biggest conspiracy cults on the face of the planet.
The entire religion is predicated on the notion that a tiny, select group of individuals know the, "Truth" while the vast majority of humanity is hoodwinked and led by Satan whether they realize it or not. Enlightening others about this grand conspiracy is arguably the very reason for the JW door to door ministry.
Exposure to that way of thinking for any length of time is a mind 'effing, because it permeates your every waking thought. That is not something easily cast aside. You are going to be vulnerable for years to come. Some people never get over it.
If this topic is truly of interest, you might enjoy visiting an observatory with a laser ranging facility.