I currently study with the Jehovah Witness'. As of now i not baptized yet, but plan to be in the future. I was dating this guy who is also studying for close to two years, but were told that we shouldn't be dating because it can lead to sexual immorality. We kept seeing each other anyway with a lot of guilt. What we did was get married because we knew we wanted to be together, but without guilt. Were we wrong to get married without telling anyone in the congregation or getting their consultation on it?
2006-11-20 03:57:57 · 19 answers · asked by stella 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Even among baptized Jehovah's Witnesses, the decision regarding whom to date is considered a personal one as long as both parties are legally and Scripturally free to marry (a divorce without sexual infidelity is not a "Scriptural divorce").
Of course, fatherly (or motherly) counsel regarding the human tendency toward sexual familiarity might be given by a congregation elder or mature sister. Also, a baptized Jehovah's Witness who insisted on dating outside his faith would not be allowed privileges in the congregation (which is very different from being formally "reproved").
Dating or even marriage outside the religion is not considered a "serious sin" by Jehovah's Witnesses, although it is certainly frowned upon. Jehovah's Witnesses do reject interfaith; a baptized Witness who marries in a house of false religion or by officiation of a minister of false religion has committed an act of "apostasy". Strictly speaking, such a person has already "disassociated" himself from Jehovah's Witnesses by his interfaith. The congregation would have to reinstate him, but only after he had repented and requested reinstatement.
Interestingly, once a dating couple has legally married then the congregation's focus becomes helping the newlyweds to make a success out of their marriage; little or nothing is gained by commenting upon the wisdom of having gotten married. However, if either the bride or groom was not Scripturally free to marry, this new marriage constitutes an act of "adultery". A baptized Witness who commits adultery is subject to formal "reproof" or "disfellowshipping" until he can demonstrate repentance.
(Matthew 5:32) I [Jesus] say to you that everyone [legally] divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a [legally but not Scripturally] divorced woman commits adultery.
An unbaptized person who is formally associated with Jehovah's Witnesses should also discuss any act of "apostasy" or "adultery" with congregation elders. The unbaptized person cannot be formally "reproved" or "disfellowshipped" or "disassociated", but he may be asked to re-qualify as an "unbaptized publisher", and any planned baptism would likely be delayed.
Even if the new marriage was not entirely in line with biblical principles, Jehovah's Witnesses are interested in HELPING the couple to make a SUCCESS of their marriage. Congregation elders hope to discuss Scriptural counsel with the couple. No adult NEEDS to consult with the congregation about his wedding or marriage, but it seems to make sense to do so.
The Christian congregation is the best place to get biblical encouragement and insight into God's will!
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19990215/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20030915/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20020208/article_01.htm
2006-11-20 05:50:05 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A very sick mama dog is an extremely stressful situation. And I understand your anger at some of the answers that you received. It is normal for you to want to vent back to these folks some of your anger and frustration. So, try to remain calm and keep your focus on your dog & pups. Don't let this cloud your true goal - a healthy dog. And yes, I would love to know this outcome. Kudos to you for your quick action in caring for 7 pups! It isn't easy! I wish that more people would realize that there are situations that stump even the best of vets. While the calicum issue is the most common with these symptoms, it is not the only cause. And your dedication to this dog and her pups is very, very admirable. So, you know that you are responding to this crisis in the best manner possible. You are doing all you can do in an extremely difficult situation. Let God sort out the rest. Peace
2016-03-29 02:44:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dating is a personal decision. It is not prohibited to date but JWs are encouraged to have somebody with them when they are dating. If you two dated just by yourselves, it is possible to find yourselves in a bad situation if not careful( meaning a situation that can lead to immorality). Marriage is a holy union of man and wife and it is good if your love ones are present. It is better if you tell the congregation if you get married anyway.
2006-11-20 10:34:15 · answer #3 · answered by trustdell1 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know my sister dated while she studied with the JW's. They always had someone with them. They never dated alone.
If you are so full of guilt, you should question your beliefs in the JW faith. You've already admitted that you continued dating with out your church's permission.
Most ministers might guide you through a relationship and unless there is something else going on, would never forbid it.
If you wish to stay with the JW, you now take the chance of being "disassociated" until you both have been forgiven by the elders.
Find a new faith sister, I'll pray for you.
2006-11-20 04:12:32 · answer #4 · answered by Emma J 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
they aren't the ones in love-you two are.
you did the right thing even if they won't believe it. you can still practice your religion and live your life as well-you do know that right? perhaps if your congregation doesn't like it and gets upset-you'll see that their main goal was to control your life-not make it better.
you did the right thing. be happy you are guilt free now. NOW DON'T LET YOUR CONGREGATION ADD MORE GUILT.
2006-11-20 04:01:49 · answer #5 · answered by LS 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you love one another and take your marriage vows to each other seriously, what could be wrong with that? What might be wrong are your reasons for getting married -- if you did it only to have sex, and not because you want to truly spend the rest of your lives together, that could be problematic for both of you. Still, this has only to do with the two of you, and doing what is best for the two of you. The church has nothing to do with it.
2006-11-20 04:00:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If both of you were scripturally free to marry, Then that marriage will be recognized by Jehovah, and the Congregation.
2006-11-20 05:04:23 · answer #7 · answered by TeeM 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You need to quit worring so much. People dont need to know all your business. If you want to get married do it. And for that matter if you wanted to have sex you could have done it to without being married. As long as you are being safe. A church and people cant tell you what to do. Please Make your own choices.
2006-11-20 04:01:32 · answer #8 · answered by heidi19852006 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it comes to the culture and tradition, I think its wrong on what you did. But love doesn't see any culture or tradition. Its you and him who wants to stay together for the rest of your life. Its not your mistake. May be its time for you to tell them that you got married if you didn't yet and leave rest to god. I may not give you the right answer for this as I am not aware of baptism. The way I think is the culture has nothing to do with the way you want to live.
Hope everything goes fine with you. God bless you.
2006-11-20 04:07:29 · answer #9 · answered by Bobby 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Mav think it depends. Do you think the congregation is in charge of your eternal life or do you believe God is?
What GOD has put together - not what man has put together.
If you need permission from the congregation to marry, then perhaps you need to relook at the religion.
2006-11-20 04:02:03 · answer #10 · answered by Mav here! 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋