Pepper, I for one agree with some of what you say; that is, it is not all bad. I've told many horror stories, true ones and I feel that I am glad to be free.
But, there were many occasions on which I was glad to be a JW. I can relate stories of great charity and love from some bros and sis.
I will tell you one such story so you know where I am coming from.
Me and my mother used to call on an old Australian couple in our neighbourhood with the magazines every two weeks. They were very old alcoholics and we new deep down they would never make it to become JWs but called with the mags religiously. They were, in fact, very nice people and we used to drop in and chat.
Anyway, the wife died and the first church refused to perform the funeral as they were not members. The second church would do so but was charging an extortionate amount. So the old man asked us, and we gave him an elder's phone number.
Now the elder, without hesitation visited, explained that the kingdom hall could not be used, but he would perform the funeral at the crematorium chapel and proceeded to make arrangements. He went through with a talk about the reserection and after would accept no money. He said that if he wished to contribute, to come to the meeting and do so - which he did.
This was all such a fine witness to the man, myself and others. It absolutely made that man so proud to see his poor wife get a good send off, even if he didn't fully understand the religion.
Now, I can tell 101 stories of great love and generosity like this, but in my case at some point, things desperately went wrong. You can read my story somewhere on here if you want. But what I'm saying is, yes I don't come here just to slag off witnesses. The truth represents two thirds of my life, instilled in me many good qualities and measure of knowledge. But I don't believe that SOME good is good enough. I believe I also suffered harm. Not from anyone intentionally, but caused by the machine of the Watchtower. I became a victim. Sad but true, and this is all too easy. When you look at the figures of 100s of thousands disfellowshipped and ask yourself why. When I think of the brother who threatened to punch my eyes out, the JW step father who abused his family, my JW friend who was conning the social security benefits, the JW window cleaner I knew with two sets of accounts, the JW brother who worked his way through every virgin in the congregation repenting every time, my real father who died without blood, other witnesses in affairs and not to mention gossipping, bickering and back stabbing. And then to get disfellowshipped for a minor offense and feel like your world has ended.
Shit happens.