Can a false religion perform a legal marriage?

JH

If every other religion is false, why does the Watchtower recognize marriages performed in other churches?

Example: If you get baptized in another faith, the watchtower will say that it isn't the real baptism that leads to salvation. So why does the Watchtower recognize a marriage performed by a false relgion, and not the baptism performed by the same church?

simplesally

Because its legally recognized by the governments. It is still considered a vow made before witnesses.

czarofmischief

A wedding, or a marriage, is a legal contract performed by officials - like ministers who have to register with the government in order to be able to perform it, they also have to fill out a form and send it in to the state.

It's only religious if you insist upon it.

CZAR

Love_Truth

As to what the WTC believes, I can't answer, nor do I care to. However, here is a reasonable expalnation for doing so in any religion.

There are two definitions of marriage:

1)-The "religious" marriage, wherein a man and a woman are joined together in a loving (obviously, such unions could be non-loving as well, for numerous reasons) monogamous relationship, first instituted by God. No pomp or ceremony is necessary although such usually accompanies the marriage. Ideal definition- two heterosexuals who love one another and make the commitment to live with one another monogamously.

2)- The "legal" marriage, wherein a man and a woman are joined together in a (loving or not) monogamous relationship in the eyes of the Government.

So, in the eyes of God, it's possible to have 1 without the other.

dustyb

...if you have to register to conduct a wedding, then isn't that being involved in politics?

Funchback

JH-

That very question has bothered me, too. It's illogical from a religious standpoint.

blondie