I don't find it that strange, and here is why.
If you haven't really thrown your hat in the ring as a witnesses you don't feel the effects of the cult. At a safe distant just seems like zealous honest people. Even baptized witnesses that appear zealous and seemingly walk the walk may be fringe in their understanding of doctrine, in their experience of F.O.G. and so forth. To these it seems to only propagate good. As an example, how could you appreciate the fear of being shunned by everyone you love if you are never signed up for it?