About Brandon Harper Expertise I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and was baptized for 21 years. I was a 4th generation Jehovah's Witness both paternally and maternally and am qualified to answer many questions regarding doctrine, doctrinal changes, historical basis for various doctrines, as well as offer rebuttal responses from the perspective of a former Jehovah's Witness. I can also answer questions from the perspective of an ardent Jehovah's Witness.
Experience I am 33 years old, became a publisher and gave my first public talk at age 4, was baptized at age 12, became an inactive publisher at age 32, and disassociated myself at age 33. My father has served as a congregation servant/elder continuously from the age of 17 on. Of my 9 uncles, 6 are elders. Of my 9 aunts, four are regular pioneers. My father is the presiding overseer of a congregation. When I began seriously investigating this religion I had to prepare for conversations with a very large extended family steeped in the history and doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses. I have thoroughly studied many Watchtower Society publications that most Jehovah's Witnesses have never even read, if they have heard of them at all, seeking the origins of various doctrinal points. I knew I would need to have this knowledge to discuss the issues in detail with my family when I decided to disassociate myself.
Education/Credentials I read every Watchtower and Awake! magazine from at least age 8 through age 32. According to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society I have the equivalent of several four-year degrees (Reference available on request). I would hope that education would qualify me as an expert.
Question Is it really true that Jehovah's Witnesses only allow a married person to divorce and then remarry if they can prove that their mate has been unfaithful?
What about cases of physical and/or mental abuse? If a Jehovah's Witness divorces an abusive spouse without proving infidelity on the part of that spouse and then marries someone else, will they be excommunicated or shunned because of doing so?
Thanks,
E.
Answer E.,
You asked: "Is it really true that Jehovah's Witnesses only allow a married person to divorce and then remarry if they can prove that their mate has been unfaithful? What about cases of physical and/or mental abuse?"
Yes, that is true. Although there is an allowance made to separate from an abusive or willfully non-supportive spouse, divorce and remarriage would be out of the question unless the abusive or non-supportive spouse commits adultery during the period of separation and the commission of adultery can be proved.
You asked: "If a Jehovah's Witness divorces an abusive spouse without proving infidelity on the part of that spouse and then marries someone else, will they be excommunicated or shunned because of doing so?"
Such a person would be disfellowshipped, and shunned as a result of the disfellowshipping. The practice of disfellowshipping is not very similar to excommunication as practiced in Catholicism and other long-established religions. Confusing disfellowshipping with excommunication is a common misunderstanding based in the specific religious meaning of "communion" versus the more general understanding of the word "communication".
I hope this has answered your question satisfactorily.
