The elements most disturbing to me have been the shunning issue and the FACT that the JW's are a high control religious sect.
Shunning: I do understand and fully support kicking out child abusers and the like. Sure they can attend the meetings but they will never be allowed out in service or on the platform. This does serve as a protection to the Congregation and to the community. But, and this is a big butt!! most people are not shunned for such major crimes. They lose their families over stupid little things like being disrespectful to elders, for smoking, for lack of self control over NATURAL desires.
Rather than being a loving act it is a harsh abuse heaped on many honest hearted people. This people are not wicked but they are 'beat about the head' by star chamber tactics and methods. Can you feel the love? What was that identifying feature again?
Anyone with half a brain and a modicum of honesty can see that the JW's are a high control sect. When buying clothing, they have to think is this acceptable to the congregation (and every cong has it's own rules), can I go to a funeral service of my Uncle who isn't a JW? What do the publications have to say about that? They are taught not how to research scripture but how to use the Society's index properly. Then we have Christmas, Valentine's Day etc nope can't do that. How about who you can date? well it has to be in the BOrg, and even then the person has to have the approval oof the elders or else will feel the pressure to break it off.
As far as Xenu goes, don't let him hijack this thread away from the topic. Don't feed the trolls. He is simply a reincarnate of Fred Hall, just done as a religious zealot and a preoccupation with Jewish g-d's instead of Jessica Alba :) ..IMO of course.
Kismet