Need some Jehovah's Witness help! read on please..?

Question

ok my married friend is a JW and we are really close but im havn trouble understandin some of the aspects of his religion. like him & his wife were going to get a div but he doesnt have a "reason" for it(this i kinda get,but if ur miserable,why ask the elders for their blessing for a div.), and what are apostates,and the concept of disfellowshipping is beyond me. ive looked at the watchtower.org website but i need some good ol fashion explanations please

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses never need to ask for the blessing of elders upon anything.

The bible plainly notes that marriage is for life, with the only Scriptural grounds for divorce being adultery. No other grounds allow a Christian to remarry, so such remarriage itself would constitute adultery. The bible does not mention any real "punishment" for divorce on other grounds, so Jehovah's Witnesses do not consider it a serious sin. Of course, a Witness who divorced without any adultery, abuse, endangerment, or nonsupport would not qualify for privileges in the congregation (but would not be formally reproved at all).
...(Matthew 5:32) I [Jesus] say to you that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a [unscripturally] divorced woman commits adultery.
...(Malachi 2:16) For he has hated a divorcing,” Jehovah the God of Israel has said
...(Matthew 19:9) Whoever divorces his wife [or husband], except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.


An apostate is a person who speaks or works against his former religion. An individual cannot be viewed as an apostate merely for having an idea which differs from the official beliefs of his religion. When there is reason to believe that serious sin has occurred, it is possible for a Jehovah's Witness to be disfellowshipped even if he refuses to meet with a committee of elders (the bible gives the congregation the authority to initiate such discussions).
...(Galatians 6:1) Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness

Yet, simply by meeting with such a committee and assuring them that one has no intention of advocating one's disagreement (if any existed), a Witness who has come to lack conviction would reflect the kind of patience and godly humility made famous by the apostle Peter.
...(John 6:60,61,66-68) Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said: “This speech is shocking; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were murmuring about this, said to them: “Does this stumble you?...Owing to this many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him. Therefore Jesus said to the twelve: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Simon Peter answered him: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life


Partly to avoid such confusion, Jehovah's Witnesses make every conceivable effort to assure and ascertain that their students know what Jehovah's Witnesses teach from the bible and what Jehovah's Witnesses expect from baptized members. The process that must be followed before one can become baptized as a Jehovah's Witness requires many many hours and lots of hard work, and a typical minimum of six months.

A person is *NOT* expelled from Jehovah's Witnesses for personal misgivings or confusion regarding some teaching. In the matter of doctrine, it is only those who ADVOCATE unscriptural teachings who disqualify themselves from continuous spiritual fellowship with the congregation.

Jehovah's Witnesses actually encourage a student to resign from any false religious organization rather than to begin a campaign targeting one particular former religion. Jehovah's Witnesses encourage those who learn bible truth to join in preaching Kingdom "good news" and not to indulge in the human work of vindictive retribution.

Jehovah's Witnesses do practice the Scriptural practice of disfellowshipping for unrepentance of such serious sins as fornication, drug abuse, stealing, and apostasy. Baptized Witnesses who join the military or publicly engage in worship with another religion are considered to have disassociated themselves from Jehovah's Witnesses.

Contrary to the misinformation of anti-Witnesses, it is quite possible to become inactive in the JW religion without becoming disfellowshipped. As long as one's lifestyle does not bring reproach upon the congregation, and as long as one does not advocate one's disagreements with the religion, the congregation has no interest in "investigating", exposing, and disfellowshipping an inactive former Jehovah's Witness.

For those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated, a primary goal is to shock the person into recognizing the serious of their wrong so that they rejoin the congregation in pure worship. Since the primary bonds that are broken involve friendship and spiritual fellowship, it is well understood that family bonds remain intact. Parents, siblings, and grown children of disfellowshipped and disassociated ones sometimes choose to limit what they may feel is discouraging or "bad association" but that is a personal decision and is not required by their religion.

Former 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.

(Titus 3:10) As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition

(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.

(2 John 10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.

(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

Becoming baptized as a Jehovah's Witnesses is not a trivial step. At a minimum, a student must demonstrate months of regular meeting attendance and public ministry, then must himself express the desire to be baptized. The candidate then spends hours answering hundreds of bible questions wherein he expresses both a clear understanding and personal conviction regarding Jehovah's Witness teachings in at least three separate interviews with three different elders. The candidate must vocally agree to be baptized in front of hundreds or thousands of eyewitnesses, and must be publicly immersed in water. This is not a momentary emotional decision by an unreasoning child. Dedication as a Witness required hard work and determination at the time.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm

Answer 2

Charles Taze Russell did not believe in an organization such as "Jehovah's Witnesses". That organization was formed after Russell died. Russell started no religion at all, much less starting a relgion similar to that which he preached against. If there is anything such as an Illuminati bloodline who cannot help but serve Satan, then the Bible is false. Russell's grave is not in the shape of a triangle. Many confuse Rutherford's pyramid monument with Russell's grave. Rutherford's pyramid monument is not a grave; it is not a tomb; there is no one buried in or under Rutherford's pyramid monument. Rutherford's pyramid monument does have a cross and crown symbol on it; that symbol is used for Biblical purposes. I have written a lot about Russell, the alleged Illuminati, cross and crown, etc. See the links provided below.

Answer 3

I also have experience with JWs. The only scriptural grounds for divorce is fornication but I don't think people get disfellowshipped for getting a divorce. Disfellowshipping is kind of the same as ex-communicating in the Catholic religion. There are standards for JWs and if a person is not living there life by these standards then they may be disfellowsipped. Apostates are those that are really against JWs.

Answer 4

I have lots in the family so I can answer these pretty easily. Jehovah's Witnesses are only allowed to divorce if there has been sexual unfaithfulness going on. Th Bible really does say this is true, so they are just following what it says. It doesn't say if you are miserable, that is okay, it says if you divorce for any other reason, then you turn your wife into an adultress. Apostates are those who have been baptized into the faith, but now they are teaching different beliefs or are at least telling others about different beliefs that aren't of the faith. Disfellowshipping also is coming from the Bible where it says if a man is of the faith, but commits a grievous sin, you should not eat or speak with that man. I don't agree with these things, but they do have scriptures they can back it up with. I can ask some of my kin for specific scriptures if you want to look them up.

Matt 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

I Cor 5:11-13 11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Answer 5

The only reason that a JW couple should divorce should be based on sexuality immorality.
If it is based on that, the couple's marriage is considered dissolved in the eyes of God.
However, a couple may seperate for other reasons. And they "can" divorce, however, neither would be "free" to remarry.
If the couple divorces for reasons other than sexual immorality, and one remarries, that person is likely going to be disfellowshipped, which means that they are shunned until proving their repentance.

Answer 6

The first question is simple. The Bible makes it clear, that the Only reason for divorce is adultery. That is where we get the principle. While no one should risk their health or life in dangerous situations, Christians are taught to take their vows Very serious.

Answer 7

Among Jehovah's Witnesses, divorce is considered unacceptable except in cases of adultery; which is the same standard given in the Bible and reiterated by Jesus.

You're married friend may have a reason and may not wish to tell you, in an effort to spare either his wife or himself shame. It is not unheard of for a Witness to go against this belief as well, so he may me choosing to divorce without this reason (adultery). His going to the elders of the congregation may be either for counseling to restore the marriage, or it may be feelings of guilt that he is trying to assuage. He may be trying to see if there is a "cover" for his actions in the Bible that can keep him from going against God while continuing with the divorce.

As to your other questions. Apostate is anyone who attempts to misuse teachings of God or the church (whichever church including the Witnesses, all churches refer to "misleaders" in this way) to lead people away from Jesus. They may twist the scriptures or ignore the scriptures, and on occasion just outright lie about scriptures to lead people away from the truth of God (Jehovah--God's name can be found at Psalms 83:18) and Jesus, God's Son.

Then comes disfellowshipping. This practice does have some biblical background among the early Christians, the most notable example is Simon. Simon was a disciple who attempted to "sell" forgiveness and positions in the early congregations after Jesus had died and the Apostles were in charge of Christianity. The Apostle Peter attempted to correct him but he continued with various actions against the congregation and so Simon was removed. This was done to prevent him from turning others away from the truth.

The Witnesses have a process when someone is found to be doing things outside of God's commandments. They send elders to counsel the "violator" (my word, not theirs--I'm referring to the person who is going against God's commands). Whatever the case may be, exs. include going into alcoholism, gambling, cheating on spouses, abuse of spouse or children, etc.

They attempt to counsel. If the person is willing to turn aside, the continue with counseling sessions to help them back along the path to righteousness. If they continue what is bad, they may get a couple more counseling sessions; but at some point if they do not change then it may become necessary to remove them from the congregation to prevent the violator from turning others away. This is known as disfellowshipping.

Answer 8

When an answerer starts with 'I'm not a witness But! or 'my best friend's cousin is a Jehovah' Then you pretty much know your
going to get some cockamamie answer.
I truly love to see all the curious ones, who are really anxious
to know about our wonderful brotherhood.Go to the official
web sight (www.watchtower.org) and find out where you can find a brother or sister to answer your questions.

Answer 9

my primary partner is a former JW minister, he said that the only means of receiving full sanctioning for a divorce is if your spouse was unfaithful. Any other divorce will come with consequences, some kind of discipline which could go all the way up to disfellowship... (disfellowship being basically excommunication)

Answer 10

as a Jehovah's witness we believe that marriage is sacred and there is only a few ways that you can get a divorce without being looked down upon in our religion. 1 of them is infidelity. another is death of your mate. An apostate is someone who was formally a Jehovah's witness but them left our religion. they then try to twist our beliefs and make us look like a cult or something. disfellowshipping is when you do something bad like adultery and then you are not sorry or remorseful. then you can still come to our religious meetings but you cannot talk to anyone. this is meant to show the person that what they did is wrong and that we do not tolerate things like that. if you have any more questions email me

Answer 11

Since when has it been a matter for anyone outside the marriage ??

never let anyone control your life - especially a church elder who knows nothing about a couples marriage.
If in doubt pray and ask God for insite - but even God allows us to make our own choices - even when vows have been taken seriously..