So a JW can date an unbelieving person...

by silentbuddha 19 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  DesirousOfChange

  D of C, where in the publications does it say a person could be disfellowshipped for "continuing a relationship with an unbeliever." I can't find that, and I could use it in a conversation with a relative.

  I recall that the situation fell under "loose conduct" in the past. A blatant disregard for God's standards to "marry only in the Lord". After reading Viviene's comment, I'll admit the guy may not have finalized his divorce -- just do not remember. He was an MS. The application was made by the WT Service Dept.

  To go for it now, it could likely be "brazen conduct" (since they changed the Bible).

  Of course, now there is no DF, so doesn't matter. A local case here the former elder has been online hooking up for over 3 months and filed for divorce and still no judicial action.

  Should be fun to see how all these changes (and Pretend Changes") work out in the real JW World.
  
  
• 

  Anony Mous

  This is fairly easy to find out. As many know, ignoring a direct command from the Bible is a DFing offense (see elder book)

  https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jw-dating/

  • Christians who want to marry are commanded to choose only a fellow believer. (1 Corinthians 7:​39) Jehovah’s Witnesses view this command as referring not merely to a person who respects our beliefs but to one who shares and practices those beliefs as a baptized Witness. (2 Corinthians 6:​14) God has always directed his worshippers to marry only those of the same faith. (Genesis 24:3; Malachi 2:​11) This command is also practical, as modern researchers have found.
• 

  BluesBrother

  Well, it seems to be a matter of a congregation lottery , as to where you are and how they view it.

  My brother in law’s sister , so a sort of relative, lived in the North of England . Backin the day she courted and married a “worldly “ man . He was tolerant of her faith and they lived , had children and by now may be dead. I have lost touch.

  She remained in the congregation and enjoyed a good relationship with JW family….

  Another sister I knew originally divorced her husband from the world .Eventually she remarried a JW brother but later on he died. She then surprised everyone by remarrying husband No. 1 . I guess she was counselled but remained a sister in good standing.

  So it is all a bit of hit or miss, depending on your local B of E.
• 

  Beth Sarim

  Its all about the politics.

  And how much the elders or,,, elderettes cant stand you.
• 

  blondie

  I agree DOC

  That is a big change.

  a person can carry on a romantic (but none sexual) relationship with an unbeliever and still go out in service and participate in meetings

  That is an even bigger change. In the past, a person could be DF for continuing a relationship with an unbeliever (required multiple warnings re: marry only in the Lord). (The jw could only be df'd if evidence of sexual activity between them. But they are being for that offense not dating a non-jw.)
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  DStanley

  I was told as a teenager in the 90s by an elder that you could be df'd for dating a wordly person. I remember thinking at the time how is that a df'ing matter, but I felt like the elder was giving me a very direct threat, even though I wasn't even old enough to date at the time.
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  Rattigan350

  "Christians who want to marry are commanded to choose only a fellow believer. (1 Corinthians 7:​39)"

  A letter to a congregation from 2000 years ago does not give us any basis for commands as Paul is not our master.
  People need to learn that.
• 

  Rattigan350

  And on this subject.

  People should marry whoever makes them happy, not because of a religious affiliation.
• 

  blondie

  A quick question: Was Moses wife Zipporah the same religion as Moses?

  Numbers 12:1 (Zipporah was a Cushite)

  Now Mirʹi·am and Aaron began to speak against Moses because of the Cushʹite wife he had married, for he had taken a Cushʹite wife.

  The WTS has said that Cushites are the current day Ethiopians. So didn't that mean that Moses did not marry a Hebrew?

  Abraham had a child by Hagar, Sarah's maidservant, not a Hebrew, was that wrong?

  Well, that are the first 2 I thought of? Are there more such examples? Yes, Naomi's Jewish sons married Moabite women.
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  Beth Sarim

  People should marry whoever makes them happy as a person.

  Not let religion get in the way or spoil things.

  Agreed. 110%%.