This may seem like a strange question, but i'm embroiled in a debate elsewhere (not this site) where several members are attempting to get another member to declare his affiliation. There are just a number of things doctrinally that aren't 'right' (i.e. unorthodox). He's been asked outright if he is Mormon/JW, as much of what he's shared resembles Mormon doctrine (Jesus eternally submitting to the Father, Christ meaning 'the anointed one', etc.). So far he has refused to declare himself. Is his common with JW's/Mormons, or are we just grasping at straws?
Speaking of person to person experience here - not web-boards or the internet in general, which, by it's nature, is much easier to 'hide' in various ways - especially on web-boards where communication is almost exclusively text...
I don't have a lot of experience with JW's - I've never talked to them in depth, and I usually just take their watchtower magazine, say "thanks, not interested" when they come to the door - and file it in the rubbish bin after they leave.
Mormons, however...
Ugh. I don't know if it's part of their missionary training or what - but many of them are not open and forthright about some of the details of their religion - not in person - not in my experience. I remember talking to various individuals at temple square in Salt Lake City when I lived in the area - mostly gorgeous females (it's rare that one stationed there *isn't* good looking) - and asking them point blank about some of their doctrines and practices that do not fall into "mainstream" Christianity (becoming your own god, baptisms for the dead, what goes on in the temple etc) - and they usually get fidgety if not outright evasive on those subjects - calling them "sacred" and not wanting to discuss them. I've long thought that this evasiveness is purposeful, not for the stated reason of "sacred" - but to the overall goal of this church - which is to "win over" nominal or weak minded Christians to the group.
More money for the church, which doles out the hopes of having endless celestial sex, populating planets with spirit children and being a god of some universe.
Shhh...mainly those doctrines are for the already initiated - especially for those who have gotten romantically involved already with a member of the church who is of the opposite sex. Such relationships make much easier converts.
Otherwise, it's very "think big". Virgins in heaven? Pssh. Peanuts compared to being god of your own universe and populating planets to rule over, lol. Not to mention heavenly copulation. It stirs the imagination...mmm
