People who wind up being cult members never think they are in a cult. I think that the JW's recruiting tactics are more insidious than that of a full on Cult. Most people would run from the typical cult member but JW's are taught how dress and appear harmless and how to lure potential interested ones in using the hope of paradise and everlasting life. Lest the intrested person should be scared off, they withold the information about Holidays, Blood, disfellowshipping and the restriction of outside non JW information. The person isn't told that once he becomes a Witness, there will never be a ligitimate reason for him to leave the group without suffering dire consequeces. They purposely wait until the person is well along the way toward being a convert and has learned to doubt his own reasonings before revealing the full extent of the hold this group will have on their life. They present themselves as people who there only to rescue those who are sighing and crying over world conditions. Most JW's beleive that is really what they are doing because they really don't understand the inside goings on of the organization they have dedicated themselves to folowing or view their tactics as devious. Children who's parents are JW's stand no chance of ever getting out without shreadding their entire support system and personal histories to ribbions. They are taught from childhood in mind numbing all day education sessions to be at war with themselves internally and to doubt their own common sense ...even view their own internal warning system as being of the devil. They are taught that terrible consequences will befall them if they ever disagree with or leave the group.
Are JW's a Cult....maybe not in the true sense of the term but the methods they employ are the same as the ones cults are known for and the effects these have on those who end up being associated with them, are just as effective in convincing individuals to give up their lives and personal freedoms based on teachings that have time and again proven to be untrue.
Better the cult you see, Than the one you don't see .