BETH SARIM:
I believe the true purpose to get people not to celebrate holidays is to separate them from their non-Witness family and friends. The goal is to isolate them.
The pagan thing is just a convenient excuse. Besides, other things are pagan like days of the week, the calendar, etc. The religion is afraid if the Witness compares the loving treatment by their non-JW family versus the judgmental coldness they get in the Kingdom Hall they won’t want the JW religion anymore. I am sure some people have figured this out.
In my case, I happily reconnected with estranged family and relatives before it was too late. I am ever grateful for this.