My wife is a JW and I'm atheist, naturally a divorce is unavoidable, she says it's a sin......?

Question

I say there is no sin.

We were married in Alabama and divorced in Arkansas.

Now, by "Moral", standards, are we still brother and sister?

Do we have to deny eachother at family reunions?

IF..She is right and it is a sin, can she be forgiven?

Answer 1

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! I don't follow. How are you two brother and sister if you got married? No where in the law nor the bible nor any moral code I have ever heard of does it state that after a divorce is your ex considered you sibling. Is this some kind of redneck thing? If so you have much bigger problems then the sin of divorce.

Answer 2

It seems as though the couple mentioned in the question are legally married at the moment. It seems that the husband feels that his atheist beliefs are so irreconciliable with the wife's Jehovah's Witness beliefs that he seeks a divorce, or perhaps a divorce has already been granted. While thousands of mixed-religion couples have enjoyed decades of successful marriage, how would a Christian view the idea of divorce under these circumstances?

From a Scriptural point of view, the religious wife feels that aquiescence with divorce under such circumstances is a sin. She recognizes that she is not in any danger and so does not require legal protection from her spouse. She may reflect on Scriptures such as these which indicate that the only Scriptural grounds for divorce is adultery.
(Malachi 2:16) For he has hated a divorcing,” Jehovah the God of Israel has said
(Matthew 5:32) everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery

Many Christian religions, including Jehovah's Witnesses, recognize legal divorce for practical reasons such as an abusive spouse, financial recklessness, and spiritual persecution. A Christian also recognizes that he must follow secular law in the event his or her spouse successfully sues for divorce despite the Christian's objections. However, such a legal divorce would not free a Christian from his spiritual vows; the Christian could not remarry as long as neither she nor her former spouse engaged in sex with another person or animal.
(1 Corinthians 7:10-11) a wife should not depart from her husband; but if she should actually depart, let her remain unmarried or else make up again with her husband; and a husband should not leave his wife.

Once a legal divorce has been granted, the couple are not married and each is now unmarried (with or without the possibility of remarriage). Any sexual contact by an unmarried person with another person or animal is fornication, a sin. So-called "ex-sex" does happen, even with Christians; in this as in all sin, humans depend upon God's grace and Christ's sacrifice for forgiveness.

While limiting sexual temptation seems wise, the Scriptures place no limits on the association a former husband and wife can enjoy. Personal bitterness, however, seems likely to move one or both to minimize socializing.

Answer 3

Being that you are an Atheist, I know that you probably don't like to talk about or hear about God, but let me tell you this much. I know God doesn't like divorce. As far as JW's go, I really don't know anything about their religion. I don't know if you are still considered brother and sister or not as far as "Moral" standards. I would say no. Now, I'm not an Atheist, but she or anyone can be forgiven in the eyes of God if they are true and sincere about asking for forgiveness. And I wouldn't necessarily say to deny each other at reunions, but I am wondering if you two are divorced, why would you still be going to family reunions together? Hope this info has helped you!!

Answer 4

The bible says you can't get a divorce unless there's a infidelity. It has nothing to do with being a Jehovah's Witness. Any REAL christian would know this. Jehovah's Witness just follow the bible more closely then other religions. Since you mock her religion then why do you care about the moral issue? She will be fine. She's not the one ending the marriage. I have to agree with others. It's to bad she loved someone so much to marry outside of her religion. Looks like she learned her lesson.

Answer 5

You say that you are not a "JW" you are and "atheist" if you want a divorce, there is nothing keeping you from getting one, but since you do not believe there is a God, a Creator, in the future when the time comes, you will judged, based upon not believing, etc, etc.

We were married in Alabama and divorced in Arkansas you say, if after being divorced have you committed adultery or fornication? If you have, then your wife has grounds for a Scriptual divorce.

Mainly the rest of what I write pertains to your wife, not because she is a "JW" but, this would be for any marriage, regardless of what Christian Religion you belong to.

DIVORCE AND SEPARATION Most of you, say you believe in Jesus, but the problem is, many of you do not want to obey what He & the Writers of the Bible tell you.

"We may claim to love God, but how we react to what his inspired Word, the Bible, teaches will reveal our true thoughts, even the very intentions of the heart." In other words, you have your on thoughts on the matter, & heck with what the Bible says. But I'm going to take the time to explain what the Scriptures say about Divorce & Remarriage.

God, the Originator of marriage, designed it to be a permanent union. But is there any Scriptural reason for a person to divorce his or her mate—and one that would allow for the possibility of remarrying? Jesus addressed this matter by declaring: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9) Sexual infidelity by a mate is the only ground for a divorce that will allow the innocent mate to remarry.

In addition, the Bible’s words at 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, while encouraging marriage mates to stay together, allow for separation. Some, after trying very hard to preserve their marriage, feel they have no choice but to separate. What can be acceptable Scriptural grounds for such a step?

One is willful nonsupport. When getting married, a husband assumes the responsibility of providing for his wife and children. The man who willfully fails to provide the material necessities of life “has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Timothy 5:8) So separation is possible.

Another is extreme physical abuse. So then, if a mate physically abuses his wife, the victim may separate. (Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 1:7) “Anyone loving violence [God’s] soul certainly hates.”—Psalm 11:5.

Another ground for separation is the absolute endangerment of a believer’s spirituality—one’s relationship with God. When a mate’s opposition, perhaps including physical restraint, has made it impossible to pursue true worship and has imperiled the believer’s spirituality, then some believers have found it necessary to separate.—Matthew 22:37; Acts 5:27-32.

However, if divorce is pursued under such circumstances, one would not be free to enter a new marriage. According to the Bible, the only legitimate ground for divorce that permits remarriage is adultery or “fornication.”—Matthew 5:32.

The Bible allows only one reason for getting a divorce that frees a person to remarry, and that is fornication (Greek, porneia, gross sexual immorality). If fornication is committed, then the innocent mate may decide whether to get a divorce or not.—Matthew 5:32.

After telling the Pharisees that the Mosaic concession of divorcing their wives was not the arrangement that had prevailed “from the beginning,” Jesus said: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Mt 19:8, 9)

Answer 6

Why did you marry a Jehovah's Witness if you were an atheist? I'm pretty sure JW are prohibited from marrying non JW anyways, or it's at least discouraged. There's no reason why you can't be socialble, and if you're an atheist, why are you so worried about sin?

Answer 7

Jehovah witnesses are not Christians. The teachings are far from Christianity. Stop following the worlds advise and reconcile your marriage! First, do some research on J. W,'s and Christianity. Find out for yourself what your wife is involved in and maybe the both of you would open your eyes to the Truth! Then you would what know true love is and maybe you would stay together!

Answer 8

How in the hell did a Jehovah's Witness marry outside of her faith in the first place?

And I am at a loss as to what you mean when you ask:
"Now, by "Moral", standards, are we still brother and sister?"

Look - if you two are going to divorce, do it clean and keep it nice.
Then get as far away from each other as possible and re-invent your life.

Answer 9

By moral standards, your ex wife, along with every woman in the world, is your sister. Every man is your brother.

She will be forgiven, as you will be. God forgives the moment you do something wrong.

As to family reunions, that's up to you.

Answer 10

Since you're an atheist and your ex-wife a JW, and because she believes in sin, then it follows that she is the only one who would be sinful because you do not have a concept of sin, nor believe in it. "Forgiveness" is up to her, her god, and the practices of the JW community.

Are you worried they'll stone her or something?