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Marry Only In The Lord
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The Two Watchtower Misinterpretations:
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| 1. Along With Other Christian Fundamentalists: Only Those With Doctrinal Faith In The Christ Are True Christians. |
| 2. Only Jehovah's Witnesses Are True Christians. |
Watchtower - May 15, 2001
"Jehovah's direction for Christians is very clear: 'Marry only in the lord.' (1 Corinthians 7:39) Christian
parents and their children may be tested in this regard. How so? Young people may wish to get married, but available
partners may be lacking within the congregation. At least that is how it seems. There may be fewer available men
than women in a certain locality, or their may be no one deemed suitable in the area. A young man who is not a
dedicated member of the congregation may show interest in a young Christian woman (or vice versa), and there is
a pressure to compromise on the standards that Jehovah has set. Under such circumstances, it would be good to reflect
on the example of Abraham. One way that he maintained his fine relationship with God was by seeing to it that his
son Isaac married a true worshipper of Jehovah. Isaac did the same in the case of his son Jacob. This took effort
by all involved, but it pleased God and resulted in his blessing.-Genesis 28:1-4."
The Watchtower's interpretation of Apostle Paul's words are applied to mean that followers of the Christ can only
marry fellow believers of Christ. While this may be true, two main misinterpretations are formed and enforced in
addition to this teaching.
1. Apostle Paul's words were to apply to marry
only other followers of the Christ, however, The Watchtower interprets only themselves, the Watchtower Bible and
Tract Society of Jehovah's Witnesses as the only true Christians on earth (the
faithful and discreet slave class) restricting both dating
and marriage within the limits of fellow Jehovah's Witnesses. Dating and marriage to any
person who is not one of Jehovah's Witnesses is considered going against Paul's words, by misinterpreting them
to mean that all non Jehovah's Witnesses are "non-believers" and a "worldly persons", especially
those who are blinded in other religious organizational teachings and denominations.
2. Like other fundamentalist religious groups, the completely fail to realize
that people who do not have doctrinal faith in the Christ, are not necessarily unbelievers of him. Many are unknowingly
following the law of the Christ. On the contrary of the narrow intolerant fundamentalist
way of thinking, the only real persons who can be considered believers and followers of the
Christ, are those who show true agape love to their fellow man on a continual basis, and that includes all of humanity.
True Christians are not those who follow orthodox theology or perform various sacrifices, but are persons who follow
the law of the Christ, mercy, forgiveness and agape love.
"In a few cases, the unbeliever eventually became a Christian. However, marriages to unbelievers have often
proved disastrous. Those unevenly yoked do not share the same beliefs, standards, or goals. (2 Corinthians 6:14)
This can have a detrimental effect on communication and on marital happiness. For instance, one Christian woman
greatly bemoaned the fact that after an upbuilding meeting, she could not go home and discuss spiritual things
with her unbelieving mate. More important, of course, 'marrying in the Lord' is a matter to loyalty to Jehovah.
When we comply with God's Word, our hearts do not do not condemn us, for we are doing what is "pleasing in
his eyes."-1 John 3:21, 22."
The so called unevenly yoked do not share the same beliefs as the Watchtower Society. They may
not support the shunning of those who have left the organization, the refusal to celebrate holidays, which in many
cases includes family get togethers with other non witness family members and relatives. They may not share in
the restriction of blood in medical treatment or the complete refusal in political matters with the blanket condemnation
of all governments being from Satan the Devil. They most likely do not agree that all people who are not Jehovah's
Witnesses are "worldly" and are 'bad associations that spoil useful habits." Obviously these differences
can destroy communication in marriages. But for the Watchtower to state that this is a matter of loyalty to Jehovah
is both an unfair and inaccurate statement, replacing loyalty to a man made religious organization, the Watchtower
Society, with God. To comply with God's Word, would be marrying another person who treats others with agape love
as foremost in their lives, not a person who is in support of various theological interpretations to an orthodox
degree.
"When marriage is considered, the virtue and spirituality of the prospective mate should be of primary concern.
A Christian personality, along with love for God and whole-souled devotion to him, is of far greater value than
physical attractiveness. Divine approval is enjoyed by those who appreciate and fulfill their obligation to be
spiritually strong marriage partners. And the greatest strength a couple can achieve comes from mutual devotion
to the Creator and full acceptance of his guidance. In this way Jehovah is honored, and the marriage begins on
a solid spiritual footing that will contribute to an enduring union."
The Watchtower puts both physical attraction and the allowance for both marriage partners to
grow in an autonomous direction behind the loyal whole-souled devotion to a man made religious organization that
acts as God's representative. The claim made, is the devotion and guidance must be from Jehovah first in a marriage,
when in essence he is no where in this picture. An organization that takes the self appointed role as God's "slave
class" puts various interpretive rulings, restrictions and standards on marriages that puts both the physical
attraction and tolerant flexibility secondary. In reality, a marriage needs a healthy sexual relationship with
physical attraction and much self sacrifices of each, allowing a healthy growth and tolerance of each other. But
even further than tolerance, there needs to be an honest attempt to go further and even try to understand each
other's different viewpoints. To restrict other view points that do not agree with the Watchtower Society's interpretations,
does not allow a healthy communication with growth and understanding. To put physical attraction secondary to being
one of Jehovah's Witnesses could hurt a healthy sexual relationship which is needed for strong marital bonding.
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Watchtower Publication, (Elder Manual) "Pay Attention To Yourselves
And To All The Flock"
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If a dedicated, baptized Christian marries an unbeliever, this would result in
disqualification from all special privileges for the time being. (1Tim. 3:2, 4, 5, 12, 13; w82 3/15 p.31)
If the parent is an elder, a ministerial servant, or a pioneer and encourages, allows, or gives tacit approval
to the marriage, this raises questions regarding his or her qualifications.
Use of the Kingdom Hall must be in harmony with God's standards.
It would not be used for marriages of unbelievers or the reenactment of marriages, such as on occasions of anniversaries.
(w844/15 pp.10-15; km 12/81 p. 4)
However, on occasion the body of elders may decide to allow two unbaptized publishers, who are regularly associating
and awaiting an assembly to get baptized, to be wedded at a Kingdom hall.
In each case, the body of elders will decide when the Kingdom Hall may be used for a wedding.
The wedding vows that were published in the April 15, 1984, issue of The Watchtower, page
14, and that appear in the marriage outline, 5-41, should be used.
These vows may be modified according to the local law, but privately chosen and worded vows should not be used.
According to the above handbook, the Elders Manual, the legal
rulings, interpretive standards and judicial proceedings are as listed above, including when
and when not to use the Kingdom Hall, what type of actions are to be taken for those who marry outside of the Jehovah's
Witnesses, whether unbaptized publishers can be married at a Kingdom Hall and so forth. Some where along the line,
the freedom that the Christ set us free with was lost and replaced with legal, judicial, interpretive rulings.
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