Pistoff's description is right on. I am not a JW, left over 40 years ago for good, but I am an active apostate. This was a good year for me to go as a journalistic pursuit, just to see if anything had really changed, and then to report back on what I discovered, if anything.
I went to a KH that is some distance from my home. I am well known in my area as being an apostate, so the locals avoid my house - although I did get an invitation this year (I describe in another thread their use of children as delivery systems). But I was also given an invitation to this KH from a neighbor who was given one while out shopping or running errands. So I used that as my "ticket to heaven."
The session was to begin at 7:45 (sundown was at 8:00 in my area), so I guess as long as they didn't partake too early, they were technically OK. I arrived about 7:20 and left about 8:50. A spanish congregation was coming in at 9:00 to hold their Memorial service.
I was "love bombed" as soon as I stepped out of my car. Obviously I was a stranger, so everyone from the parking attendants to the COBOE went into "welcome the newbie" mode. Within minutes I was attached at the hip to a mid-30s MS, who invited me to sit with him and his family.
The speaker, who was not the COBOE, was probably chosen for his excellent stage presence and speaking skills. I found him easy to listen to and to follow along with. Sitting next to my "mentor" I found myself forced to read along with him each and every scripture quoted from the stage. It was the same two dozen scriptures that are used in practically every public talk and funeral sermon. After all these years being away, I realized that I could still almost quote them from memory. The opening song (#8 from the new song book) was specific to the Memorial. The end song (#109) was generic about Jesus. I can read music to some degree so I could sing along without embarrassing myself. The speaker gave the opening and closing prayers, while two other elders said the prayer before each emblem was served. Believe me when I tell you that nothing has changed in that regard; the prayers are impromptu and meandering, with repetition and gaps in logic. One brother asked for forgiveness of sins three times in the same prayer. Another mentioned "Your earthly organization" four times in the same prayer, and each of the other brothers used that term at least once in their prayers.
Four elders passed the emblems. The hall had three seating sections, so two elders took the side rows and two others managed the middle section. The hall was completely silent during this activity except for two crying babies. No one seemed to mind the distraction. The talk lasted about 35 minutes and the whole session was just under 45. my guess is that there were over 200 people at this meeting.
At least half the congregation wanted to shake my hand and welcome me. The brother who was my mentor wanted to sign me up for a Bible study right away, but when he realized that I did not live within his area, he offered to refer me to someone closer. Yeah, like anyone will want to study with "The Apostate in the Neighborhood." I could tell that observing geographic boundaries was still important to JWs.
In all honesty, if I didn't know the truth about "The Truth" (TM), I could easily be caught up in the friendly atmosphere and love bombing that happens at this stage. Sitting there at that meeting I could see no obvious signs of the control and underlying evil that is present.
A few side observations:
1. The elders all looked like GB wannabees. High-dollar tailored suits. Styled hair cuts. Starched white shirts. Very few smiles. My guess is that this is a very conservative congregation. All of those in power seemed to be over 55.
2. The KH was spotless. My mentor told me that it had been completely refurbished a couple of years before. NO windows, drive through portal in front, small meeting rooms at the back. Sound system was impeccable. One MS in the front jumped up each time to adjust the mikes for prayers and the speaker. Very clean. Nice neighborhood.
3. The women all wore dresses and heels, except for some of the elderly. The new style for JW women seems to be the longer straight skirts dating back to the 1950s, the ones that end about 8 inches above the ankle. Maybe these are back in style, but it looks like a group of Joan Crawfords walking around. A couple were wearing 3-inch heels and showing some leg (and rightfully so), but most were dressed in rather dowdy styles.
4. There were a few men in attendance with close cut beards. They were obviously not MS or elders. So they may have been unbaptized or visitors. One brother, while nicely dressed, had dreadlocks and some facial hair. Again, obviously not an MS or elder.
So my overall impression was that this was a pretty typical JW Kingdom Hall. From a purely outsider impression I'd say they were all very nice to me, very welcoming, they all seemed to get along. I could see no obvious negatives about the Hall. My mentor was very enthusiastic, friendly, helpful and I believe totally committed to the organization. I actually felt bad about not accepting his offer to set up a Bible study with me.
I once again realize how easy it can be to get sucked into this organization. It's kind of like a kitchen trash can: all shiny and clean on the outside, but filled with garbage, germs, and rot on the inside.
JV