Air carrier departing MCO expressed concern with ATC handling regarding weather avoidance; claiming ATC vectors were directed toward aircraft displayed weather activity; adding ATC's actions were unacceptable and unsafe.

Narrative

Line of thunderstorms were moving in from the west. Some were also north and there was one 8-10 miles off the departure end of 17R. All departure routes except south were closed; so we shut down engines on the taxiway facing north. After about ten minutes we were told to start engines; we'd be departing. We could see some clear sky below 6 or 7 thousand feet to the east. ATC said initial heading would be 250. We figured they had a plan to get us around the cell to the south; then proceed around the south end of the line that was west of the airport; or come back around to the east and north. After switching frequencies to departure; we were given a vector to 280; and 310; which was right in the middle of the red and magenta returns. We replied unable; and continued to the southwest. ATC gave us numerous vectors to the west and northwest and demanded we turn. We declined and discussed declaring an emergency. The Controller was displeased and suggested we return to the field. When we were momentarily out of the clouds; we could see the vectors were given directly into areas of continuous lightning. This departure vectoring was unacceptable and unprofessional. I called MCO when we were on the ground at destination and discussed it with a supervisor. His explanation was that Cape Canaveral and military airspace to the southwest were hot. Also he said maybe his radar wasn't painting all the cells. Once we were airborne and our radar could 'see' the intended departure route it was apparent that there were no options to the west or northwest. We continued to deviate to the southwest and were eventually struck by lightning anyway. I told the supervisor that they should have more effective radar; if that was a contributing factor; and that their plan for departures was unacceptable and unsafe.