Lisa, Collision and any other active Jws on this thread, I know that you have hidden it because you think people are being nasty and offensive, but I'll say this anyway.
I have no intention of being nasty or offensive. I do have very strong feelings on this and I do believe that JWs are a cult for all the reasons that I gave earlier and more. BUT, I have no problem with individual witnesses. By and large, they are, like most people, kind, considerate, caring, lovely folk.
My problem lies with those at the top of the tree. They exert so much control over their members that it's like a dictatorship. They use well known mind control and psychological manipulation techniques to keep the "other sheep" bound to Jehovah's organisation. Members are so sucked in by these techniques that they really, truly believe that everything that comes from the GB, through the publications, statements etc. actually comes directly from God himself, and thus are able to gloss completely over all the mistakes, failed prophesies and changes of policy and doctrine. it's also why they can do things like shunning because their instructions come from God.
None of you will have read it because it is "apostate" and, therefore, not allowed, but the book Crisis of Conscience by Ray Franz gives a good insight into the working of the WBTS and the GB. Franz was president of the WBTS and, obviously, one of the anointed. Then, he was disfellowshipped in 1980 as an apostate. He gives a clear idea of the mind control techniques used by the GB to manipulate the membership and create the extreme loyalty that is the norm among witnesses.
Could I just say, as well, that all these claims to mix with outsiders should probably be taken with a pinch of salt. Nobody can avoid unbelievers completely. We work with them, perhaps live with them, have them as neighbours, preach to them and study with them etc. But you can bet your boots, that the vast majority of JWs don't have them as good friends (unless they are conducting a fairly advanced study with them). All these things that, nowadays, are left to each individual witness's conscience... well, I'm sure that you don't need to be too cynical to work out what that means, especially as all Witnesses believe that they will have to justify themselves completely to Jehovah God at the End.