Im kinda shocked to see so many here that were unhappy. I was always happy and so was my family. After all, we thought we were doing what Jehovah wanted of us. I have belonged to 4 different congregations and one out of the three were exceptionally loving and strong, the other three seemed to be ruled by large families and were harsh or judgemental. I guess it depends on the congregation each of us individually had experience with and the time frame.
I have personally never seen or experienced any type of racism in the witnesses. Ive stayed with black families on several occasions at quick builds or during a hurricane rebuilds and was always made to feel welcome and part of the family.
I have really good memories of the congregation I grew up in. It was the late 70's early 80's and I remember awesome get-togethers and skating parties! The congregation was so very close and loving. People got together almost weekly and we really felt like we had something special. Sadly, this congregation is just like the others now, Judgemental and cold. I think the thing that kept so many together and close was the urgency of the times. We all felt like any minute the big A was coming. The other three congregations I belonged to were later on the urgency of the witnesses had started cooling off. I remember in my second congregation the Circuit Overseer saying "This is the most unloving congregation Ive ever been to". He said that from the platform. It was funny because after the meeting that Thursday everyone was acting like they were best friends talking and hugging each other. It was like 10:00 before everyone started leaving.
I think there are some wonderful loving witnesses still out there. I think in most cases the loving ones are the long timers that have been around for many years. My parents fit in to this category. They send lots of money to helping witnesses in New Orleans almost weekly. They are loving and non-judgmental and always helping others. To bad its usually individual witnesses like this that do the most and NOT the organization. I fear that my parents will end up "under the gun" for there continued association with me.
I think most witnesses are usually fairly honest people when trying to make a witness to worldly people. Its usually when they are doing business with each other that they turn into lying and stealing bastards:) Hence, all the "Awake" magazines warning brothers against business dealings:)