Having been out of the cult for a few years now, I can finally sit back and accurately access the good, bad and the ugly, especially as it relates to education and having a sense of self-worth and realizing your potential. In my opinion, religion is a total crock, BUT at least in some religions there is at least some value that you can translate your experiences and education gained in such into the real world.
For example, the Mormons have their own accredited university where you can obtain a degree and you can actually put that down on your resume and use it in the real world. Even with their missionary work, you put in a couple years with that and they help to place you in the business world or you can take advantage of even more university education.
In other religions, there is a charitable aspect and built-in social causes that you can participate in that at least have some type of direct impact on the community. Again, some type of value that can translate into the real world.
The JWS??!! Nothing. When I was an active JW, I went through their pioneer school, MTS school, spent years at Bethel, and you know what?? I could not translate ANY of that to the real world. Remember there were talks and perhaps an article going around years ago, that being on the Theocratic Ministry was like being enrolled in a college course?? Or that reading the Watchtower and Awake magazines was akin to getting a university education?? I do and it was all B*LLS*IT!! What a joke!
One of the main problems with the JW religion, especially for generation-X aged persons like myself is that it was so insular and self-centered, that they never had the foresight to realize they could create at least some kind of value to justify all the wasted time spent by ACCREDITING their OWN schools and educational programs (since they discouraged going to college for so many years), actually doing REAL charity like having soup kitchens, activity centers for their youth (especially since they didn't allow them to engage in after school activities like playing organized sports), housing for their seniors, giving material supplies to the needy, etc. Everything was always centered on THEM, and not promoting the personal development, aptitudes, philanthropy and potential of their members or the community at large.
True happiness involves REALIZING YOUR OWN POTENTIAL, because its then that you can be of help to your families, community, and yes, even your religion. But JWs missed the memo on all of that.
When I reflect on how many of my former associates who I knew at Bethel or in missionary work have been unceremoniously laid off or "sent back to the field" to start all over again (most of them with no skills or education and in their mid-40's, 50's or early 60's), it becomes an even more cruel realization at the LACK OF VALUE experience fooling around with that cult really was.
I consider myself lucky in that I woke up in time (at almost age 40) a few years ago and was young enough to somewhat landed on my feet, but I have my days where I get indignant at the thought of how much time I wasted in that organization, from infancy to age 40.
That's why when I see JW's who want to ask me why I left and if I'm an apostate or not, I say - "no, I'm not an apostate, I'm simply RETIRED." My time wasted in that cult has EARNED ME THE RIGHT to leave on my own terms (which I did), without being branded or demonized. It has given me the right to refuse any label that they try to put on me now that I've left.
The JW experience is one that stunts personal growth and development and by extension your POTENTIAL, and that's what I tell people if they really want to delve into why I left. And that's the true travesty behind it. ALL RELIGIONS (at least in my book) sell pipe dreams and are a crock, but at least you can get some kind of miniscule tangible value to it. The JWS?? Not so much!