My girlfriend is a Jehovah's Witness. I am not. I am 99 44/100ths percent sure I will never convert to her religion. What will happen to her when we marry? Will she be disfellowshipped? Will her friends from her religion disassociate with her? I need to know. Please help.
2006-11-28 06:02:11 · 10 answers · asked by drgolfmd 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nothing bad happens. See, I'm a Jehovah's Witness myself. I was gonna' marry a guy outside of the religion. The elders (Jehovah's Witness' ministers) talked to me and told me their opinions with kindness, but they don't force you to do anything. For them, it's better if you marry a person in the congregation to avoid further problems, like differences of opinion about holydays, preaching, etc. but, in fact, they are not gonna' disfellow you for marrying a non-Jehovah's witness, and that's because you're not commiting a sin like fornication or adultery.
2006-11-28 06:35:20 · answer #1 · answered by ? 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
7 The Christian congregation viewed itself as an ‘association of brothers’ made up of fellow members of “God’s household,” the term “household” here having the sense of a family household, as a comparison of such texts as Matthew 10:12, 35, 36; Acts 16:30-34; 1 Timothy 3:4, 5; 5:4, 8 indicates. So, like a family the congregation would rightly take an interest in marriages contracted by its members. This scripture shows the seriousness of marriage: However, I say to you that every one divorcing his wife except on account of fornication makes her a subject for adultery, seeing that whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matt. 5:31, 32,) Since marriage is intended to be forever it is not to be taken lightly. ‘Marry in the Lord’ is the apostle’s admonition, which is in harmony with the practice of ancient worshipers of God in marrying only those who were likewise true worshipers. (1Co 7:39) “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers.” (2 Cor. 6:14, ) Marriage will have its challenges, here are some statistics: A report says: “Half of all U.S. marriages today are expected to end in divorce. And half of those [divorces] will happen within the first 7.8 years of marriage . . . Among the 75 percent of people who remarry, 60 percent will divorce again.” If a couple have the same values their marriage will be more likely to succeed. Personal study and prayer are a large part of a witnesses life and teaching others about the bible as well. A mate that does not have the same beliefs would not be holding up his God given headship as head of the house in leading in these things. How will you feel if her religion takes her time away from your household? In all things God's viewpoint must be taken into consideration first. I would recommend that you take time to investigate your girl friends religion and see for yourself what you think. It takes time and a decision cannot be made simply by scratching the surface of what appears to your eyes. Take some deep thought and ask her, she should be able to answer these questions. Why not start a study with a brother at the Kingdom Hall for starters. You might be pleasantly surprized. Good luck.
Why View Marriage As Sacred?
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20040508a/article_01.htm
What Is Needed For A Successful Marriage?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1999/2/15/article_02.htm
Marriage Should Be A Permanent Bond
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2002/2/8/article_03.htm
2006-11-28 07:00:13 · answer #2 · answered by research woman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing happens. They will advise her against it, just as any religion does, such as a Catholic with Jew. Mixed problems will occur. Remember, she will not be home for 1-2 hours, three times a week, plus her ministerial service, depending on how she does it. My mother does it from home, because of her age and health.
She won't be shopping for Christmas gifts for you, or any children, but she will be giving you gifts throughout the year, for no special reason at all. Three times a year she will be attending weekend long conferences, where witnesses get together to meet people from other congregations and circuits.
Often, when one is married to a non-witness, they use the summer district assembly as a time to also have a vacation. Since there are over 250 of them, world wide, that gives you a lot of choices for travel, though she will be busy during the weekend.
What you might consider if studying to to see what life is like from her point of view. Studying does not mean you are joining, and joining takes more than just studying. Go to one of their conferences. Everyone is welcome. Take note that even with over 30,000 in attendance at just one district conference, there are no police to direct traffic.
Something of note that I just learned yesterday, what they do is not coversion, but they revert people, or take them back to what Christians were like 1900 years ago.
2006-11-28 06:20:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nothing happens to her..
Nothing at all...
I am and always have been an athiest...Over 35 yrs...
My wife & family are all baptized Jehovah's Witnesses and have
been for many many years...
If I had to choose the religion which most closely followed the bible
and teachings of Christ, it would be hands down the Jehovah's Witnesses...
Nothing but good to say about the organization...
2006-11-28 06:07:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
A Jehovah's Witness who marries outside the faith would likely lose privileges in the congregation (if he had been an elder or fulltime 'pioneer' minister for example), but such a Witness would not be "reproved" or "disfellowshipped" as long as both bride and groom had been 'free to marry'. Marrying can only result in "reproof" or "disfellowshipping" if, for example, the groom's legal divorce had been for a reason other than sexual infidelity, or perhaps the bride had not finalized her legal divorce.
It should perhaps be noted that a Jehovah's Witness who marries in a RELIGIOUS ceremony is considered to have disassociated himself by his act of "apostasy". Repentance must be demonstrated before a disfellowshipped or disassociated Witness could be "reinstated".
Witnesses who are disfellowshipped or disassociated are typically treated in accord with the Scriptural pattern explained in these Scriptures:
(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. ...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
(Romans 16:17) Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.
(2 Thessalonians 3:6) Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us.
(2 Thessalonians 3:14) But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed.
(Matthew 18:17) If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm
2006-11-28 07:44:23 · answer #5 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just like any other mixed religion marriages you will have to learn to compromise. One of my supervisors was a J Witness. I asked him about holidays - he said his mom bought them stuff throughout the year so it didn't bother him about not celebrating b-days, xmas, etc. What kind of religion would disown you for falling in love with someone from another religion? Doesn't sound like something you should be a part of to begin with. Maybe she will convert to your religion if that was to happen to her? If not, just learn to compromise.
2006-11-28 06:08:57 · answer #6 · answered by Scorpio 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Great point, but I'm not 100%
2016-08-08 20:19:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no she won't be disfellowshipped. my mom is a jehovah's witness and she was with my dad for years and he never converted. but if she gets pregnant out of wedlock, then she wille disfellowshipped for sure. just be careful and respect her.
2006-11-28 06:11:32 · answer #8 · answered by Essie 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
She will be outcasted from her religion and family! My BF's x's was a Jahovah's Witness!!! It just doesnt work, unless you convert!!! Sorry! Good luck!
2006-11-28 06:06:10 · answer #9 · answered by Double G 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
1
2017-02-16 22:00:22 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋