Some cults are more "culty" than others but growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, I now realize that I grew up in a cult. The JW organization uses fear, shame, and guilt in order to control every aspect of their member's lives. I was "born in" since my mom was a member before my birth. I stopped being an active member about 10 years ago or so but still held the beliefs for some time after. Once I started thinking for myself and realizing the amount of control they exert, I left.
Just a few things about their control. Beards are not allowed. Tattoos are not allowed. Only short hair allowed for men. Going to college is not allowed. Short skirts are not allowed. Associating with non-church members is not allowed. Playing school sports is not allowed. Sex outside of marriage is not allowed. Smoking, drugs, getting drunk is not allowed. Rated R movies and "questionable" music is not allowed. You must go preaching door to door and attend church twice a week. These are just a few of the rules. Violating the rules will result in being counseled or excommunicated, called disfellowshipping by JW's. Disfellowshipping means that you are completely shunned by members including your family. My sister was disfellowshipped so she had to move out and we were not allowed to have any contact with her.
The JW's are under scrutiny for their sexual abuse handlings. JW members are so indoctrinated they go to the church leaders or "elders" without even considering the police. They have a rule called the two witness rule. It's a centuries old biblical rule stating that there had to be two witnesses to an incident to be considered. Well, when there is a sexual abuse it's the victim's word vs. the perpetrator. So when there's an accusation, the elders wont even consider it. There's another old biblical rule saying you have to face your accuser. So they make the victim sit there in a room with the perpetrator to make the accusations. Now, if there is a known child molester they will have him repent, promise not to do it again, and go on like nothing happened. This person should be reported to police and be thrown in prison.
There are many other fucked up things about this religion. These are just a few things off the top of my head. I'm willing to try to answer any questions anyone may have.
Edit: Forgot to add the whole doomsday aspect. JW's believe the second coming of Christ occurred in 1914. They thought that Armageddon was going to come in the 20th century before the generation of people born around 1914 died. They even predicted it coming in 1975. A lot of members sold their houses and ran up credit cards anticipating the end of the world in 1975. A lot of them left the religion in 1976 when Armageddon didn't come. They believe that after Armageddon, 144,000 people will go to heaven while the rest of the faithful will come back to life and live forever on Earth with no sickness or dying or pain.
