Since leaving the JWs I have become more interested in finding out about other faiths. Here are a few of my findings.
LDS: I just couldnt get my head around the mental gymnastics I would have to do to understand their doctrines and theology. I attended their services twice. Not a lot of scripture mentioned and wasn't for me.
christadelphian: mind blowing how similar they are in beliefs to the JWs. I was able to use wording and doctrine that I thought was unique to the JWs, and the christadelphians knew what I was talking about. Quite bible based, but was pretty uninspiring and only went once.
Seventh day Adventist: I had a female friend who was a seventh day adventist. I liked her and was sort of hoping for a relationship. They are a lot more lienent towards the out side world, and I felt community based. A variation of the JW beliefs, but I think I was going for the wrong reasons. I think a relationship would of worked with her due to our similar back grounds. Went about 6 times.
Christian Science: found the service to be very bland. They basically read a verse from the bible and then explained the verse from a Christian Science church manual. Very big on healings, and some of their ideas were just wrong. Found the minister to be not very knowledgeable on bible topics. I ended up explaining stuff to him. Went twice.
Pentecostal: ive been to 2 variations of charismatic. One was a Chinese church. I went for two reasons as I was interested in God and also wanted to learn the language. But with all the Hollywood antics and the fog machines I just couldn't take it. Although bible based it resembled more of a show rather than learning about God. I went for about 5 months.
Filipino based: Had a friend who was Filipino so went because of that. Not as Hollywood as the Chinese one, but just wasn't for me. Went for 2 months.
Iglasea ni Christo: I had been attending services here for the last 5 months. I went for two reasons. (1)They had the services on a Saturday night, so it was easy to get to. (2) I had heard so much about them on JW forums so was interested to investigate them further. I think they are perhaps more JW than the JWs ( if such a thing exists). They were trying to get me to do their 25 courses. But I could see it going down the same road as the JWs. I was encouraged to email the pastor with questions. So I did. One was on the consumption of alcohol. The other was on dose God require a visible organisation. The other was on been only church members who can attend and partake of the lords supper. Despite making the claim that they base their beliefs on the bible I recieved no reply to my questions. This religion is probably even more stricter than the JWs (e.g covering up the windows, locking doors when service begins. I think unless they ease up this religion will struggle to attract westerners who would perhaps view this as cult like. I have since stopped going as I realise now what I was told on the internet is true. " ITS A CULT". I am glad however that I explored this avenue.
Catholic church: Have attended mass the last 3 Sunday's, and been to all the Easter services. Although I realise the Catholic Church is far from perfect due to my JW upbringing, I was quite surprised to find out how wrong they have been portrayed by JWs. They have bible readings and the father bases his sermons on those readings. Quite ceremonial, and in a way with communion it helped to impress upon me the body and blood of Christ. Although it's early days yet my good impression of the Catholic Church was quite unexpected. If I'm still going regularly in a couple of months I think I might start taking courses to become baptised. Btw I find doing the sign of the cross to be quite spiritual and something I never felt as been a witness.
Well that's were I am on a religious note.