I thought this for a long time. The same could be said for another 1800's cult - Mormonism. (LDS)
When I was early out of the JW's, I felt the need to research their history, etc. I came across Seventh Day Adventists. I liked what I saw, and that the belief structure was similar, but not as strict. I too liked that unlike JW's, SDA's have hospitals, schools, private schools for children, charities, and outreach programs. They have abandoned some of the more whacky Ellen White prophetic nonsense. (think Millerite/Russell crap) However, upon even closer inspection I saw the same Pharasitical pattern of strict rules, odd/whacky beliefs, authoritarian dictates, Mosaic rules/laws, and familiar end-times apocalyptic literature. (yeah, they have stands at county fairs too with this same type of crap!!!). This combined with a similar Ex-SDA online presence was enough to send me running for the hills. Guess what? They also practice SHUNNING, though they'll flat out deny it, just like the JW's try and gloss it over. I'd never get involved with them now that I've done my homework.