As organizations and how they both have top-down structures, they are remarkably and eerily similar...though the titles/areas have different names.
Both adamantly claim to be Christians, though both are far from the mainstream. JWs take their brand of bible interpretation and application to extreme (no revelation); mormons do whatever claiming divine guidance.
JW's have shunning as overt policy, mormons succeed at it more covertly. In either case, it's tough for any family members to leave without repercussions. Mormons are meticulous about record keeping and tracking people down; with JWs it's easier to disappear from the society/congregation.
Mormonism has lots of money and assets. JWs not so much, (they are a publishing company of usually-cheap books and tracts). Mormons like being worldly and in the spotlight. JWs not so much. Because of their faith in the Jehovah's upcoming "new system," JWs rarely invest time or money into anything long-term. Few have secondary education.
Both think they have the ultimate truth and live better lives because of it. The sole purpose of life for JWs is to promote (aka witness for) Jehovah.
Having grown up LDS and having had a few very close friends who were JW's, I have to say, yes, there are some very eery cross-overs doctinally. The scariest thing they have in common is that both faith's believe they are the only ones with the truth and everyone else is wrong. Neither group (plus many other religions) have any room for freedom of expression. In their view, freedom of religion only applies to theirs. They both also discourage interactions with those "not in the fold." The JW's overtly, the Mormons more under cover.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/2012 07:10PM by chells.
I went to school with a lot of JWs. Just like the Mos, they acted normal around nonmembers. Also, to counteract the fact that they didn't celebrate holidays or birthdays, they had regular parties & friends over all the time.
#28 Don't attend AA meetings, would be because you'd get a different brand of Christianity or a different interpretation of the gospel than what you were taught at Kingdom Hall. They would consider that worshipping a false religion/idolatry.
I thought #125 was hilariously ironic, especially if you know why they have all these rules. Most of the rules are based on superstitions. But they're not allowed to be superstitious. That one makes me LOL.
I dated a JW and he told me about the no birthday thing: He said there were only two birthday celebrations in the bible and both turned out to be bloodbaths. (It's also about not honoring a person over god, they can't elevate a person to a higher status than their Creator.) Really, so some people got killed at a birthday party 2,000 years ago, and that means little kids can't have a birthday cake? And that's not superstitious? Hilarious!
They both come to my door when I'm wearing pajamas and look like crap hahaha the JW's came this morning and I am way too nice to tell them to eff off...they gave me some invitation to an Easter thing...ugh. No thanks.
This isn't right. We need to make a list of a 142 things that Mormons are not allowed to do. We can't allow the cult to get out crazied by a bunch of JWs.