by WTWizard 24 Replies latest watchtower bible
It depends on the viewpoint. A lot of the comments here seem to focus on the sex, but in reality sex only takes up a small percentage of the day. What about the other 23 hours?
After 16 years of marriage, I am in a spouse free zone for my 6th year and loving every minute of it.
W
Yeah, the "gift" of singleness is a "gift" because it allows you more time to do unpaid volunteer work for the publishing corporation.
Kind of like buying your wife a riding lawn mower for her birthday. "But honey, this way you'll be done cutting the grass that much quicker!"
Jacking off is NOT a gift!
Anyone care to give Witness 007 a hand?
Jacking off is NOT a gift!
To a single JW, it's the best sex you're going to get.
Well it was Jesus who called it a "gift". Of course the Bible doesn't account for much in terms of consistency. I'd say singleness the way the Bible teaches it is no gift. Why be alone as one gets older? A good partner with whom one can share mutual love and respect, there is nothing better. Of course finding that one is the challenge. And perhaps the real gift when found.
Isaac
(of the still searching class)
The Wiz sounds ANGRY!
What if life gives you rotten lemons?
Catholics are bad for "forbidding to marry" because their voluntary clergy choose to be single as part of their vows.
jws are not bad for "forbidding to marry" because their voluntary clergy choose to be single as part of their pledge to serve God.
hmmmm.....tomato, tomahto.
As to the subject, well, for me being childfree is a great thing (not a gift or blessing, because I bestowed it upon myself). Being married is a great thing. Being single wasn't great for me.
As a side note, the structure of the saying in Matthew 19:11f is strongly reminiscent of 13:11f:
Not everyone accepts (lit. "make room for") this (variant, the) word, but those to whom it is given (dedotai). For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept (idem) this who can.
... Let anyone with ears listen!
Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He answered, "To you it has been given (dedotai) to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given(dedotai). For to those who have, more will be given (dothèsetai), and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive...
It is characteristic of mysterious, esoterical teaching which is offered to the inner circle of disciples (as is even in clearer in Mark 4, cf. v. 10, 33f).
Now the notion of "gift" can also refer to the kharisma in 1 Corinthians 7:7...
Anyway, before the rejection of Gnosticism in the Pastorals, Christianity doesn't seem to have been strongly committed to "marriage and family values" as many now hold it to be.
Even though I am not married now, I do know how to be married. I believe it was a gift for many years. It takes two people who love each other and want to be together. I don't consider being single a gift. My marriage was taken from me by divorce. How am I to be happy with that? I wonder if I will ever get to the point when I can look at it as a gift of singleness. Wizard I am with you on this one! Either marriage is a gift or singleness the gift. You are to be content with you situation, hope one day I will stop being sad. Haven't gotten there this week, yet but still working on it. Having fun finding out who I am and what I want out of life. Still pissed off sometimes but then, it hasn't even been a year yet. Would like to find someone to grow old with, too.
Kit
