Hi Glenster - One simple fact that is never mentioned in these kinds of sites is that JWs OPT to become one. It's a lengthy process that takes decades in some cases. In the 1950s my friend's mother was the only JW in the family. 20 years later my friend became one. A few years later the father became one. All are still alive and the best, most honest people ever. They had ample time to discover the "truth" so prevelent on this site, and reject Witnesses. But they didn't.
Since it takes conviction to become a JW, one is not coerced or lied to in any way, shape or form. One has years to study, research and decide. One can quit at any time and choose another path.
When you read that there are 1 billion Catholics, that includes those who wouldn't know a Bible if struck on the head with one, those who have never seen the inside of a church and all their pets.
When you read that there are 3 million JWs, that is how many there are. You are not counted as one till you are babtized and registerd. By this time one has gone through the Bible once every 3 years or so, and been exposed to multiple bible versions and vast quantities of literature of all types. If you have any JW books you see what they draw from. No religious literature is banned.
If at any time a fledgling Witness sees anything iffy he can quit and find something else. Since children as a rule don't become JWs, we are talking adults here. Reading the many posts, you'd think exes had a gun to their head.
And what is wrong with a group of honest, good people? When was the last time a Witness drove a plane into a tall building? Or cut a head off with a knife? Or drove a vehicle into an airport? Or gassed people in a subway?
The JWs anti-Trinity? You haven't seen that till you open the Koran. It's Hellfire forever if you believe the Trinity.
Christmas is 100% pagan and otherwise unscriptural. If anyone wants to celebrate it they can choose a religion that permits it. Why would anyone criticize JWs for not wanting anything to do with it? Wayne