Growing up going to the Kingdom Hall was not a bad experience for me. We didn't celebrate holidays, and when you're raised that way, it's not a big deal. My mother is having a "Treasure Hunt" for the kids next week, where she has a little party, and gives them their presents. She does not celebrate or give gifts at Christmas or birthdays, but the kids love her "Treasure Hunt".
(I only remember getting upset when in 3rd grade, I wasn't allowed to make "Christmas decorations" at school, and I really wanted to make a Santa Claus with a cotton ball beard. My teacher had me make a snowman picture with cotton balls to shut me up.)
My mother's side of the family is made up almost entirely of JW's. In fact, if you visit a previously listed website about the Jehovah's Witness discussion forum, my family's name is threaded throughout, both good and bad discussions.
I guess I've been lucky, the witnesses I've had around me my entire life have been a fairly peaceful, fun loving group (well, in that discussion forum, you'll find the family name and "drinking" issues spoken about...). Sure, I was never baptized, so maybe the expectations were much more relaxed. Maybe the "brothers and sisters" I was raised around were openly full of flaws, and not trying to portray being perfect and invincible.
We helped build our "Kingdom Hall". From what I remember, all of the work was donated by either members of the congregation, or their friends, and the money was raised over the years through donations. My mother's husband at the time was a bricklayer (not a JW), who spent quite a bit of time helping out. The buildings are very modest, simple, and basic. Just a little building with seats. We were never expected to donate money. There is a little box in the back of the hall for donations, but no basket is passed, and we were not made to feel inferior if we could not afford to "give". The "brothers" would openly discuss the needs of the hall, and how much more money would need to be collected to accomplish the need (for example, new carpet, new speakers, new light bulbs, etc.). Sometimes it would take a year or two for the big projects.
My family has never accepted "blood", and no one has died from that. My grandmother had surgery for colon cancer (she has since passed) at 87, wouldn't take the blood, and the hospital she went to has a wing dedicated to the practice and study of blood "substitutes". We found that many people now refuse "blood", not just JW's. Even her doctor. Those of us (family) who no longer attend the Kingdom Hall, would still refuse blood.
I know quite a few college educated, successful, black, and white members of several congregations. Perhaps they joined later in life. I never heard of the discouraging education within the religion. Several cousins have degrees and go "door to door". Hmmm.
I don't "attend" anymore, but I do still read the pamphlets on occasion, the daily scripture, and my son enjoys the book studies my mother has for the kids. I respect the religion. I prefer to study in private, which is not often. I am definitely not qualified to discuss the "religion", or why JW's believe what they do. I just want people to know that JW's are not all that bad, nor does it feel like a "cult", not everywhere at least.
p/s~ Terrence Howard is gorgeous. Now I'm curious about the Witness thing with him. I look forward to more info.