The Jehovah's Witnesses believe we are living in the last days, that soon God will destroy most of mankind except Jehovah's Witnesses. They believe seven men in Brooklyn represent and speak for God and the only way to survive the coming apocalypse is to do everything they say. Their chronology is based on some complicated interpretation of the old testament that, based on the date of the fall of Jerusalem in 607 that supposedly means the last days started in 1914. They used to think Armageddon was going to be 1914, but when that didn't happen they said it was the start of the last days. They then predicted other dates, most notably 1975, but when that didn't happen they just started saying it was right around the corner. I am 61, but was told not to go to college as I didn't have time for a career in this system. The date for the fall of Jerusalem they use is not supported by any reputable bible scholar. Their New World Translation is just a copy of another translation that has been a altered to fit JW theology. They add the name of God to the New Testament with no justification whatsoever, it's not in the original text.
They are a cult, they use cult mind control and use fear, obligation and guilt to control people. People are not allowed to talk to former member and there is no easy way to leave. If you leave and decide to vote, or celebrate Christmas or any of a number of other trivial, but forbidden things you will be disfellowshipped and your family and friends will not be a allowed to talk to you.
Yes, there is uniformity, but it's not a good thing. You are expected to attend two meetings a week, two hours each. Programs are predictable to the point of boring, there are rote question and answer sessions where there is only one correct answer. You are also expected to preach each week. You must report your time, if you do not preach each month you will be counseled by an elder. You are not supposed to watch certain movies, listen to certain music, go to college or have friends outside the organization. You are discouraged from personal pursuits, wanting to advance in your career, have hobbies or any kind of life that interferes with meeting attendance and preaching
They have a record of hiding and protecting child molesters, they are currently being investigated by the Austrialian Royal Commission. They require two witnesses to do anything in the case of an accusation, since child abusers seldom have extra witnesses it means that most get away with no punishment, the law is not called unless it is required, sometimes not even then. Victims are told to leave it in Jehovah's hands and they are discouraged from saying anything, even threatened. Having a history of child abuse does not disqualify you from being an elder.
They lie about and hide their past, and are constantly changing and flip flopping on doctrine. The Governing body must be obeyed without question, even though some of them seem quite nutty, obsessing over "homosexual tight pants" and spanx, which is an undergarment but which they apparently think are yoga pants. One of them has a very odd demeanor, over enunciating words and having exaggerated facial expressions.
If all that sounds good to you, then go for it, I am sure they will be happy to have you, but don't say I didn't warn you.
