Jehovah`s Witness/marriage

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Expert: Robert Jones - 10/28/2009


Question
Can a divorced Jehovah's Witness man marry again if his Jehovah's Witness ex-wife has not committed fornication with anyone else? I am a non-Jehovah's Witness woman and am unclear as to the JW's rules on this matter.

Answer
That's an interesting question, Ambra. According to JW teaching, the divorced JW man is NOT free to marry again if his ex-wife has not committed fornication with anyone else. As the teaching goes, if he is inflamed with passion, then he must return to his wife.

So, in practice, two JWs who were once married and get divorced for a reason other than adultery must remain single and celibate for the rest of their lives. Unless they choose to reconcile and remarry. An interesting twist on this is that while divorced, they cannot date someone else, but should they spend the night together and have sex, that would be grounds for disfellowshipping. Since they are divorced (and not free because of the spiritually unbroken marriage tie) having sex with each other is fornication.

Robert Jones

Jehovah`s Witness

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Robert Jones

Expertise

I survived 1975. I hope to explain, not defend, the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. I intend to answer questions accurately as believed by Jehovah's Witnesses. Not interested in debates. I have no interest in persuading someone or convincing someone about my personal beliefs.

Was one of Jehovah's Witnesses for 32 years, from 1968 to 2000. Was an elder the last 13 years, WT Study Conductor, Congregation Secretary, Book Study Conductor, and occasional Pioneer. Never "irregular" or "inactive" as the labels go. I have not been reproved or disfellowshipped. I no longer attend meetings or practice the religion.

Experience

From 1968 to 1999 I embraced and promoted everything coming from the "Faithful and Discreet Slave." I accepted changes as "new light" coming from Jehovah through his visible organization.

I believe in universal truths such as kindness, humility, charity, and love. I do not believe that God selected any one people (the Jews for example) to receive a special message or blessing. I do not believe that there are ancient writings that need to be accepted and other ancient writings that need to be rejected. Neither do I believe that one religion has it all right while other religions are therefore wrong. I believe it is a delusion for one group of humans to claim that "God chose us and therefore God did not choose you." I consider spirituality to be a very personal effort that each person must discover for themselves.

Education/Credentials
Degree in Computer Programming. Not applicable here.

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