Remember Those in Full-Time Service (1945

konceptual99

Hi blondie,

I agree that the historical rhetoric of the WTS did lead many to "pursue singleness" but do you think this is the case today? There are plenty of single sisters around and I would bet good money on most of them being more than happy to be married but just can't find a bloke in the congregation.

WingCommander

This scenario is quite literally, "Hell on Earth." You are forbidden from doing exactly that which God proclaimed mankind to do from the beginning, "Go forth and fill the earth." Love, marriage, and children are blessings from God. Who in the hell was Da Judge Rutherford to "go beyond what is written" and basically forbid it?

Imagine, you are 80 or 90+ years old, and you were told back at these conventions that the "End" was right around the corner, any day now, etc. So you give up your life to slave away for this publishing/real estate CULT. No career.....your family proceeds you in death, and no new family to take it's place. No children or grandchildren. Then one day you wake up and you're old and tattered, penniless. And what does the WT do for you? Tells you to go forth, be warm, and well fed.....THEY can't take care of you because it's not THEIR responsibility. Oh no....you are to rely on your FAMILY and the loving Congregation (who couldn't care less if you aren't filling a seat) for your physical needs. I don't know if my brain could take the hypocrisy and feeling of being like a broke dead dog.......I think I'd have to commit suicide to escape the misery.

blondie

konceptual, since the late 50's jws pretty much ignore that tripe about staying single. I lived during the 1966-1975 era as a older teen to early 20's. There were weddings every weekend in our circuit, sometimes even 2 weddings as young jws wanted to be sure they were married before the end. The wedding vows back then seemed to imply that there would be no marriage who those who lived through Armaggeddon. There were more men (born in and coming in from the outside (the 1975 end motivating) and the boomer generation. There was the Vietnam draft that moved many males to get married to avoid the draft.

blondie

6/15/52 WT p 363 The Marriage Ceremony

The minister will then ask the man to repeat after him:

"I, ________, take you, ________, to be my wedded wife, to love and to cherish in accordance with the divine law as set forth in the Holy Scriptures for Christian husbands, for as long as we both shall live or until the divine termination of the marital arrangement."

Then the minister will ask the woman to repeat after him:

"I, ________, take you, ________, to be my wedded husband, to love and to cherish and deeply respect, in accordance with the divine law as set forth in the Holy Scriptures for Christian wives, for as long as we both shall live or until the divine termination of the marital arrangement."

Notice it in 1969:

3/15/69 WT p174-5

The vow in the marriage ceremony that is recommended by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society for the man may be worded like this: "I take you to be my wedded wife, to love and to cherish in accordance with the divine law as set forth in the Holy Scriptures for Christian husbands, for as long as we both shall live together on earth according to God’s marital arrangement." The vow made by the prospective wife states: "I take you to be my wedded husband, to love and to cherish and deeply respect, in accordance with the divine law as set forth in the Holy Scriptures for Christian wives, for as long as we both shall live together on earth according to God’s marital arrangement."

This was the WTS way to deal with the many questions caused by the 1952 vow:

8/1/52 WT p 478 Questions from Readers

The June 15 Watchtower on "The Marriage Ceremony", arranges for the man getting married to repeat after the minister that he will love and cherish his wife "for as long as we both shall live or until the divine termination of the marital arrangement". What is meant by the words "until the divine termination of the marital arrangement"?—L. K., New York.

Some have speculated on that phrase, saying that it means until the marriage is Scripturally terminated by a divorce on the grounds of adultery. But no such unhappy conclusion of the marriage would be envisioned at the happy time of the marriage ceremony. That is not a termination initiated by God, but is a tragic one brought about by the uncleanness of the adulterous one. Others have interpreted the expression to mean when an anointed mate of one of the earthly class is finally taken to heaven to reign with Christ. The physical death of the anointed partner terminates such marriage. So that is not the thought intended. Nor should it be taken, as still others have taken it, to definitely mean that the marriage will end when the divine mandate to fill the earth will have been accomplished.

The expression is used merely to cover a possibility, to allow for any future termination that may come about through the divine providence. When the mandate to fill the earth is fulfilled, when childbearing ceases, the marriage partners may continue their association together as life companions, or they may not, depending upon the divine will at that future, distant time. We cannot say at this time what divine providence will arrange in the distant future in the new world. So this expression merely allows for some future action on the part of God that may terminate the marital arrangement, but it does not mean that such a divine termination will actually take place. We leave that entirely with the Lord for his future action, and the expression is included to show that if such future action is ever taken then all couples will gladly comply with the divine will as it is revealed at that distant time.