OTWO,
Just a few observations, for what they're worth.
On number 10, there is testimony that among the early church fathers this matter was debated. Thus, at least a long time back, it was an issue. Hence it's not unique to JWs. Surely in the extensive religious history since the Reformation other groups would have latched onto this as well. With the long history of Socinians, early Unitarians, et al., this must have been a quite popular view among such folks.
For no. 5, you might want to consider groups like the Mennonites and Amish. In fact, the earliest court case in the USA against the governmental compulsory flag salute/pledge of allegiance was from one of those groups, not JWs. Of course, various forms of Christian conscientious objection from military service has a venerable history in western lands. BTW, Francis Schafer (a popular Evangelical — 'born again' — author) has written a book against Christian neutrality, and it is NOT directed toward JWs. His reason for this is that it is a moderately known belief among some Evangelicals.
As for no. 4, as Leolia has amply documented, this is certainly not unique to JWs. It goes back to a moderately influential group of 19th-century Protestant pseudo-scholars (dumb fundamentalists) who were out to 'prove' the cross was pagan. Examples are Hislop's Two Babylons, Bullinger's lexicon and Companion Bible, Parson's book, and Vine's Expository Dict. of NT Words. See Leolia's now famous and indeed extremely informative post on this:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/92381/1/The-facts-on-crucifixion-stauros-and-the-torture-stake
FW Franz just subscribed to this view and it has become hardened as official doctrine.
On no. 3, even today many Orthodox Jews do not celebrate birthdays and holidays. Again, among several small conservative Protestant groups (for example, the old Herbert Armstrong followers, the Worldwide Church of God; also the Christadelphians) these days are not observed. Additionally, there are plenty of historians who willingly admit the earliest Christians did not either. Even some simple encyclopedias cover this.
When it comes to nos. 2 and 1, well, plenty of conservative religious groups have beleived this for centuries. Within the Catholic church it was held as the theological basis for the Crusades. John Calvin taught it and traditional Calvinists still hold to it. The inhabitants of the Qumran felt that they were the only true Jews, as some Orthodox still affirm today. On NPR earlier this week there was a 'Fresh Air' segment on The New Apostolic Reformation movement in the USA. It is quite popular among certain segments of Protestant Evangelicals, and they believe that are the only true Christian group and that everyone who will be saved must follower their interpretation of the Bible They even call their governing group 'Apostles'. See this:
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/24/139781021/the-evangelicals-engaged-in-spiritual-warfare
The 'closed' denomination of the Plymouth Brethren have taught the same about themselves for 150 years now. Al Qaeda and similar very conservative Moslem groups also believe the same. Many hard-core Mormons subscribe to the ultimately 'us only' mentality. On and on this list can go...
I hope this provides some food for thought.
Cheers.
