by IMHO 13 Replies latest jw friends
1. You can't have sex until your married.
2. You're not married until you've gone through a legal ceremony.
3. You get 'unscriptually' (although legally) divorced therefore not 'free' to remarry'
4. Can you still 'scriptually' have sex with your former spouse?
Interesting scenario. Watchtower will probably say no. They'd probably say that even if you're not scripturally divorced, you're still legally divorced and therefore, legally, not married to each other, so you'll be bringing reproach on Jehovah's name if you're having sex with someone you're not legally married to. They'd say you have to be both legally and scripturally married so that your marriage is honorable before all - both the governmental authorities and Jehovah.
They do say no, giving the reasoning that that 'benefit' comes from a loving relationship that is a gift from God, intertwined with a relationship with him (Q from R many years ago). But it's such a grey area, as I put this scenario forward myself. Bit 'chicken-and-egg'. But IMHO you CAN still have sex (assuming, of course, that you're both still on speaking terms/friends), because Jah's law is higher than that of the land, and he says you're still married until/unless one of the parties commits adultery. But you can't have it both ways.
The way I see it, who the eff are they to get into my personal business. What I do with my --- is my effing business.
This subject is interesting and exposes the mindset of the organization.
Elders who conducted marriage ceremonies always make a big deal about getting the couple to sign their license immediately after they are married. They stress over this because they are afraid the couple will sneak off for a post wedding ceremony quickie.
The bottom line is - you're not married until the earthly authorities say you are.
This makes no sense. When I got married the elder droned on for 20 minutes about how marriage is God's arrangement and it is a gift from God. Which is it?
What if you're married in a country that has no marriage license and then move to one that does? The organization says you have to get a marriage license or else!
Since the question is about 'scripturally', not what WT says, here is the only passage on the matter:
To the married people I give instructions, not I but the Lord, that a wife should not separate from her husband. But if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled with her husband; and a husband should not leave his wife. - 1 Cor 7:10,11
I to knew an elder who was always ranting on about being alone in a car with someone of the opposite sex (he picked it up from the then current CO), because what it may look like if people see you.
He used to drive around in his car with his teenage daughter.
YET, What would people think who didn't know it was his daughter?
ANOTHER YET, if people saw you alone in the car with another man, would they think you're having a sexual relationship with him?
