Why do people ridicule Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses?

Question

As a person from the outside...not going to church or believing in the bible, I don't see much difference in Mormon's and Jahovah Witness from Baptists and Luthrens and Nazarines etc. They all seem to have basically the same belief. Mormans seem more active in helping the poor...JW's seem more active recruiters and Baptists and the others are neither...just loud and acusatory of others.

Answer 1

It's just people's attempts to make themselves feel better or superior by tearing down another.
Sort of like "bullying for god."
Peace

Answer 2

A common misconception is that Jehovah's Witnesses go from door-to-door because they feel it is their duty to "recruit" a householder, or get him to "convert". In fact, Jehovah's Witnesses would go from door-to-door even if there were no hope that anyone would change their religion, or even if no one would listen to them!

That is because Jesus Christ specifically assigned the house-to-house ministry to the Christian congregation, with no regard for specific results.

(Luke 10:1,2) After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. 2 Then he began to say to them: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to direct attention to the bible, and move on when their message is unwanted. Since each congregation in the United States tries to call at every home in its territory at least twice each year, there is strong motivation for them to move on where little interest is shown. Also, the Scriptures help the Witnesses to expect little interest from most:

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching ...and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/
http://jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm

Answer 3

Jehovah's Witnesses are very different from all other so-called Christian religions.

They are the only ones who respect what Jesus said about preaching the good news and making disciples. Their work is made all around the world.

"Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit." -- Matthew 28:19

"And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. " -- Matthew 24:14


Jehovah's Witnesses are the only ones who reject firmly everything that has to do with paganism and false teachings (trinity, afterlife, cross, Christmas, Easter etc.)

"If YOU remain in my word, YOU are really my disciples, and YOU will know the truth, and the truth will set YOU free." -- John 8:31,32


For more information go to:
http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/pr/article_04.htm

Answer 4

I think some do it for the sheer joy of possibly ruining someone's day.

I know one woman once ran her cart in to mine at a store, when I said are you ok, she then handed me some pamohlets on her beliefs. When I said no thank you, she started to run, I told her I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I have my own beliefs, I really don't want these right now, she took them back and then tried to give me other ones entitled, Lies Witnesses aren't told. When I refused she took off again. I think that the poor thing was trying to help me but was so nervous that was the best she felt she could do.

I know of some, both my brothers included, who often try to convince me what I think about something is wrong, then if I say I might be wrong they then try to get me to see it the way they do. So, in, that instance it appears to be a 2 step program. Step one, remove beliefs, step 2 replace them.

I very much agree with you. IF someone feels I am wrong, fine, if they want to share what they believe, fine, but to ridicule me/my beliefs just seems sad.

Many times on here I see answers that are not factual about my beliefs, that people simply Copy Pasted from a website that said I believe one thing or another. So it my be that some ridicule others belief or make anti stuff because it is easier than giving a "correct" idea.

Answer 5

Because they want a truthful and satisfying answer. Many people, even opposers acknowledge that Jehovah's Witnesses are knowledgeable Bible students, and that we read and study the Bible seriously. So that we can give an answer, from God's word, the Bible. This also, strengthens our own faith. Yes, every day.

Answer 6

I can't answer for the JW's, All I remember is my mom not answering the door when they came a-knocking.

Mormon missionaries are the proselytizing arm of the church, and often a non-members first contact with the church (If you let them, they'll arrange to give you six 'introductory' lessons into the very complex doctrine of this organization).

Part of the irritation regarding mormons, aside from the first contact, is their insistence that they alone possess the "One True Gospel of Jesus Christ" and that is often at odds with the belief systems of the "Christians".

Mormonism has also described as a 'cult', but since there isn't much in the from of physical harm (as in Warren Jeff's FLDS), I can't bring myself to agree.

The past activities of the church's leaders, the unusual doctrine taught after baptism, racist and sexist remarks from it's recent and current leaders are also a sore point with many people. Plus it's claim of an imaginary people that is integral to it's faith can be too much to swallow.

Answer 7

One big aspect of mormon belief is to serve others. Infact in my hometown where I grew up a friend of mines house caught on fire while they were at church. His mom was home because she had just had a baby, and one of the neighbors saw the roof on fire an ran over to get her and her baby out. She called her husband and her sons(one of them being my friend) and pretty much church stopped right there and everyone either went to help or went home to gather clothes and food for them. The mormons were there before the fire department got there! I still have a firm respect for mormons even though I no longer go to church. As for JW, I do not have enough athority to speak on their behalf, but they seem like nice enough people.

Answer 8

Putting up a bunch of links written by people who believe in human tradition rather than the inspired Word of God does not at all prove that Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christians.

Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior and the Son of God. Our sacred book is not the Watchtower, but the Bible.

People often ridicule what they do not understand or what does not personally appeal to them.

Christians were told by the Lord Jesus Christ to expect ridicule, opposition, even hatred. But this does not disprove they are followers of Christ. Rather, it may serve to prove just that. Jesus was opposed and hated and even killed.

Jehovah's Witnesses always attempt to follow the Lord Jesus Christ in all things, regardless of ridicule or opposition.

Answer 9

sad that people know nothing about us as Jehovah Witnesses. they say we follow the watchtower, which we do not. the watchtower is a magazine we read on Sunday. we follow the bible. they say we don't believe that Jesus Christ is God. he never said he was. who was Jesus praying to? you cannot pray to yourself. Jesus Christ always said he cannot do anything without the Father in heaven. Jesus said that he was hated and to expect to be hated also. many of us have families, just like you. many work and pay bills. we may be your next door neighbor also. learn what we are all about. www.watchtower.org. or visit a kingdom hall. yes many kingdom halls don't have windows, my kingdom hall does. the doors are always open to the public. if we where hiding anything we would not invite anyone in. we are in 236 lands worldwide

Answer 10

It is always easy to ridicule whatever one is ignorant of or don't understand just as long as it is different.

Jehovah's Witnesses do believe in the Bible. It is the only one that believes only what the Bible says without adding in man's beliefs.

Answer 11

I think the thing is that they are out in the community actively preaching while a lot of the other Christian faiths are not and they are ridiculed for it.

I was once part of The Watchtower Society a few years ago and went out "in service" with my congregation and it was considered a privilege to do "Jehovah's Work".