I grew up in the Society and had the pleasure of attending Elementary through High School as a Witness. All I can say is that many worldly people did not like JW's and took great pleasure in making mine and other JW's lives as miserable as possible.
Let's see. Some worldly people would actually hit JW'w because they did not salute the flag. (This in a country that prides itself on freedom of religion). I've been told that JW's worship the Devil and that I'm going to hell because I did not belive the same things they did.
Of course, I reasoned with myself that Jehovah's People always were Persecuted. Just look at our Brothers in Malawi and what they were enduring, I would think. I remember reading somewhere that it was an honor to be persecuted for Jehovah. For some reason, that really didn't make me feel too much better.
As time went on, things got a little better.
Today, I read boards like this and see so many of you who shared and suffered many of the same experiences both in the congregation, and outside of the congregation. I feel very strongly that those of us who were JW's have earned the right to say anything negative about the witnesses. But, for some reason, it bugs the hell out of me when people who never were associated with JW's come to these boards and start making derogatory remarks about the JW's and the JW lifestyle. I really feel that these type of people are just making fun of the crap that JW's had to endure from the Society and the Worldly people.
For example, the Society had many stupid urban legends. Like for instance Smurfs are demonic. That had to be one of the most stupidest things we were told. But, we had to live throught that. Then, someone who never was a JW comes on here and starts posting stupid stuff about smurf drinks and such. But, they never had to actually experience the bullsh*t rules and regulations Ex JW's had. I feel these type of people have no sympathy to what some of us had to endure on a regular basis.
Just my 2 cents