Why would anyone want to be a Mormon or Jehovah Witnesses?

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I was visited by some Mormons, and after listening to them, I don’t understand why anyone would want to be a Mormon, except that they were born into it. They had no choice in the matter. But to convert to it. I would rather be an Orthodox or Catholic before being a Mormon, the Mormons have no spiritual tradition outside of outward prayer.

And I feel the same about Jehovah Witnesses as well. Why convert to these two group?
 
When I was much younger and struggling with some personal issues I considered becoming Mormon. They do have some deep personal convictions; something I never seemed to find in the protestant churches I had attended. I wanted to clean up my life and their religion seemed to support that. They have strong family values and I was drawn to that. What I couldn’t embrace was their theology. Even though I wasn’t a strong practicing Methodist- my core Christian beliefs were deeply ingrained and their doctrine contradicted many of it. I never considered JW, not celebrating Christmas is a deal breaker for me but I don’t think they’re bad people. I believe when people are lost and struggling and a certain group accepts them as they are, offers them a refuge and an opportunity to change, a family type atmosphere, they will naturally be drawn to that, especially if that group is what facilitated the changes. I think some people just convert for social reasons or because of a spouse. I started going to RCIA because of my spouse, but now I plan to convert because it feels right to me.
 
As a former Jehovah’s Witness myself, and my wife a former Mormon I can clue you in on the possible reasons why somebody would want to join and maintain their membership in the respective religions.

1- When I was a JW [Jehovah’s Witness] it was our goal to go from door to door seeking out mainly biblically ignorant individuals. We would ask very simple questions provoked from the Watchtower magaine [ie… Is there a hell, is there such thing as God] how people responded to those questions gave us huge indications on where they were at emotionally, spiritually etc…

2- In my experience, people rarely Joined for theological reasons, it was mainly cultural. When they were invited to the Kingdom Hall [Church] they would usually be surrounded [love bombed] by others in the congregation. This would give a felling of acceptance and value. After which they would be invited to a bible study [which usually involved not reading the bible but reading from Watchtower literature

3- Once a person was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness, the love bombing stopped. Now the person is expected to “tow party lines”
Once a person is fully immersed in the cultural and doctrinal influence of the Watchtower Organization, they are held captive and controlled by the Organization itself. The glue that holds the “Rank and file” members together is one of fear and conformaty to Organizational standards of ethics. If anybody disagrees or falls out of line, they will be quickly disfellowshipped and will be shunned by family and friends.

4- RECAP: Generally, people join the religion for social accpetance and to find value. Since the Watchtower seeks out biblically ignorant individuals [they will stop calling on your door if you challenge a jehovah’s witness at your door too much] rarely do people join for Theological reasons in the first place. Once they are in, they shortly discover that they are being told WHAT to think through fear and other manipulative control methods that are common for any high control cult group.

The people that escape this religion generally go two directions. All of them have a damaged sense of trust from being manipulated so I find many gonig the way of Atheism. They hate God and religion from what the Watchtower has done [taken away family and friends and equated God with the Organization itself] or they will repent and see God for who He really is and turn to Christ [as is the case with myself]

I do not see that much of a difference with Mormonism except LDS generally have more freedom with its members, they are not as extreme with shunning procedures [with the possible exception of some Utah Mormons] but still controlling nonetheless.
 
TheSufi said:
I was visited by some Mormons, and after listening to them, I don’t understand why anyone would want to be a Mormon, except that they were born into it. They had no choice in the matter. But to convert to it. I would rather be an Orthodox or Catholic before being a Mormon, the Mormons have no spiritual tradition outside of outward prayer.

And I feel the same about Jehovah Witnesses as well. Why convert to these two group?
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I am blessed in having been born a Catholic, and would never change

However… Sometimes I look at many parishes and think that if someone came to see these Christian communites, would they be attracted / temptedvto join them? travel a lot and frequently go to Mass in different churches - most often I am ignored. I am not welcomed nor am I made to feel welome. There is little outward sign of Christian love.

The JWs while for us are techinally not Christian are very christian in their lives. They have a very deep sense of fellowship. I can only imagine that this is one of the things which tempts people to join the JWs.
 
You’re exactly right.
They are born into it. They usually don’t choose it, any more than “cradle Catholics” or those of any other denomination choose their religion. Once a Catholic, always a Catholic; once a Muslim…
Adult converts to faith traditions are comparatively rare. “Switchers” between faiths are especially rare (except for Protestant and Pentecostal Christians, who switch far more than Catholic or Orthodox).
Most people are born into their faith and stay there, even if they don’t remain devout.

They shouldn’t be condemned for believing in something that has been hammered into them since birth. What chance did they ever have of breaking away from it? If your family is devoted to a particular religion, you will be brought up in it, and you’ll have very little chance of breaking away from it.
It’s a simple accident of birth. Completely random.
 
I agree. JWs are very good at showing practical love to lonely people.
 
for some reason there have been jw’s in my life from a very early age. when i was a little girl the lady who did my hair was one and she would talk about it (and give me a snack after she did my hair in her home) in later years they kept coming at me with statements and questions that were sometimes outragious. when i was older i had one come to my door and i studied with them for about a year.
the woman i studied with i really liked and wanted as a friend. she was really nice and did a good job of sucking me in. in retrospect i see how they did not really go to the bible a lot. it was mostly watchtower mags and books. i was really believing in it, even the part about there being no trinity. finally, after talking to my mom, i ended up coming “back” to catholic. i was born and baptized catholic but not actually raised with it. it wasn’t until i was an adult that my mother actually started to take the faith seriously in any way i could see.
but i can understand the appeal to these other religions. peace and acceptance is something we all want. these groups promise to give to you.
(the last jw that came to my door i spoke to a couple of times and then i scared off. haven’t been bothered since!)😛
 
Cant speak about JW, but can speak to Mormonism.

The LDS church is very family oriented with strong family values. And the WoW is a draw for those seeking to live a healthy life style. Mormonism is very much a lifestyle, not just a Sunday thing.

Also the idea of “families are forever” and the idea of couples being together forever and not “until death due you part” has a strong romantic componant to it…

When I was LDS and talking with other LDS converts, the idea of marriage is only “until death due you part” was a big turn off when it comes to traditional Christianity.

The idea that the person you marry is your partner for “all time and eternity” is very powerful, esp for young people falling in love
 
Well, Mormons get to be a God on their own planet, so they have that going for them, which is nice…
 
Mormons purportedly offer a living prophet. So on an even more extreme level, that must be a comforting authority presence along the same lines as a church that purportedly offers a leader who can render infallible decisions, and a Magisterial teaching authority that can also possess a collective infallibility. How you gonna leave out on a living prophet, if so be that he really is a prophet guided by God and maintaining an authority directly from Him?
 
TheSufi said:
I don’t understand why anyone would want to be a Mormon,
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I often tell people the only valid reason to become mormon, is you believe God wants you to be one. Other people in this thread have mentioned some perks, I guess, but perks are not why I’m LDS.
the Mormons have no spiritual tradition outside of outward prayer.
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Someone tried explaining what ‘tradition’ means in this context to me before, but it didn’t stick. What’s a ‘spiritual tradition’, and do I need one to be a Christian or live a Christlike life or find spiritual fulfillment in my faith?
 
TheSufi said:
I was visited by some Mormons, and after listening to them, I don’t understand why anyone would want to be a Mormon, except that they were born into it. They had no choice in the matter. But to convert to it. I would rather be an Orthodox or Catholic before being a Mormon, the Mormons have no spiritual tradition outside of outward prayer.

And I feel the same about Jehovah Witnesses as well. Why convert to these two group?
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There are some people on CAF who have said the same thing about Islam. And I’m sure there are some who believe as much about Judaism. Why does ANYONE choose to convert to a particular religion? Sometimes for purposes of marriage or relationships, but most often because one BELIEVES in what the religion teaches.
 
Personally, I think the strength of love, charity and family that the Church of Latter-Day Saints teaches is incredible.

The one thing that does kinda irk me is how they go about excommunicating and marriage…you aren’t just told to repent while going to services still like the CC. You’re just plain kicked out. With weddings, they don’t allow non-Mormons inside the Temple, which can be really disconcerting to the families of converts.
 
Well I think some people just get pulled in with the true faith, living prophet, God spoke and speaks to us lines. I have a friend who became Mormon, she knew barely anything about the doctrine and said that God will reveal it to her over time. Well isn’t the whole point of studying a religion to see if you like it? Not just close your eyes and walk blindly into someing you might not like.

Another thing is the missionaries get you with the " I feel it in my bosom. From my bosom I can say that this is true…" That’s great but let’s hear the facts and what your church teaches.

Like many said I think people are raised in it or marry a mormon convert.
 
TheSufi said:
I was visited by some Mormons, and after listening to them, I don’t understand why anyone would want to be a Mormon, except that they were born into it. They had no choice in the matter. But to convert to it. I would rather be an Orthodox or Catholic before being a Mormon, the Mormons have no spiritual tradition outside of outward prayer.

And I feel the same about Jehovah Witnesses as well. Why convert to these two group?
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A lot of Mormon conversion stories revolve around personal crisis. Death in a family, drug or alcohol abuse, dysfunctional relationships, etc. When a Mormon missionary finds such a person, the Mormon ideal of family forever, word of wisdom, ready-made social network, are very appealing.

Some converts remain Mormon for life, others experience the shine wearing off, and leave. Even more find that not all beliefs, practices and history of Mormonism were disclosed to them. Most Mormon “baptisms” occur within 4-6 weeks of the first contact with a missionary. It isn’t possible to thoroughly research or understand what you’re getting into in that short of time. It’s all based on feelings.
 
eamonnroma said:
I am blessed in having been born a Catholic, and would never change

However… Sometimes I look at many parishes and think that if someone came to see these Christian communites, would they be attracted / temptedvto join them? travel a lot and frequently go to Mass in different churches - most often I am ignored. I am not welcomed nor am I made to feel welome. There is little outward sign of Christian love.

The JWs while for us are techinally not Christian are very christian in their lives. They have a very deep sense of fellowship. I can only imagine that this is one of the things which tempts people to join the JWs.
Click to expand...
The devil is always seeking the ruin of souls and will always try to tempt Catholics to leave the Church and to tempt non Catholics to go anywhere “but” the Church. His mission is to lead and to keep as many souls away from Christ’s Truth as possible. And the Truth resides in fullness, solely in His One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
 
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