Marriage and divorce in christianity

[nobspeople]

It was once said to be a sin to get divorced (some sect may still see it this way as some don't).
It was once said that marriage is a 'special' contract, blessed by god (some may not see it that way any longer).


For discussion:
How does your faith deal with marriage and divorce?

Does it hold marriage in high standard yet allow divorce? If marriage is 'special', can it only be preformed by a priest? If it allows divorce, under what circumstances? And why?
Does it hold marriage in a high standard and frown on (or prohibit) divorce?
Does it not care much about either, marriage or divorce?

What's your opinion about the secular marriage and divorce today?

A lot of questions that could be dealt with in individual threads, so feel free to initialize which discussion point(s) you wish, but keep in mind others may ask your POV on a point on which you didn't initially address - which is totally fair and even expected.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #15]
So if they get divorced, legally, but the church says it's a no-no, are they no longer allowed in the church?

That would depend ; if neither commit adultery then they can carry on as usual (although it is of course far from ideal) . If either take on a sexual relationship or remarries then the one concerned would face a judicial committee and the innocent partner would be free to remarry.

What is the above bolded and how does that work?

A Jehovah's Witnesse "Judicial Committee" is an internal ecclesiastical panel that oversees local church matters. They follow official JW guidelines in judging internal church matters.







JW

[nobspeople]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #15]
So if they get divorced, legally, but the church says it's a no-no, are they no longer allowed in the church?

That would depend ; if neither commit adultery then they can carry on as usual (although it is of course far from ideal) . If either take on a sexual relationship or remarries then the one concerned would face a judicial committee and the innocent partner would be free to remarry.

What is the above bolded and how does that work?

A Jehovah's Witnesse "Judicial Committee" is an internal ecclesiastical panel that oversees local church matters. They follow official JW guidelines in judging internal church matters.







JW

So let's work with these scenarios:
1) Amber gets divorced for infidelity on her part
2) Amber gets divorced for infidelity on her spouse's part
3) Amber gets divorced because she was being physically abused by her spouse
4) Amber gets divorced because she was physically abusing by her spouse

She goes before the panel
What are the possible 'decisions' for each of the above from the panel can make and how would those impact Amber in her standing with the church of the JWs?

[JehovahsWitness]

So let's work with these scenarios:
1) Amber gets divorced for infidelity on her part

If Amber has committed adultery, her divorce is immatariel. Unless she is repent, she will be expulsed from the congregations and her future decisions make no difference to us.

If she is repentant and her husband is agreeable, she will stay married (she can hardly show her sincere regret damaging her marriage by destroying her marriage )

If she is repentant but her wronged husband cannot forgive her, they can seek a legal divorce and go their seperate ways.

In short the committee only judges on the question of the initial adultery ; subsequent decisions rest with the individuals. Innocent partner's face no disciplinary judgement: they have done nothing wrong.

2) Amber gets divorced for infidelity on her spouse's part

See above in reverse (change the name "Amber" for "Fred")

[nobspeople]

So let's work with these scenarios:
1) Amber gets divorced for infidelity on her part

If Amber has committed adultery, her divorce is immatariel. Unless she is repent, she will be expulsed from the congregations and her future decisions make no difference to us.

If she is repent and her husband is agreeable, she will stay married (she can hardly show her sincere regret damaging her marriage by destroying her marriage )

If she is repentant but her wronged husband cannot forgive her, they can seek a legal divorce and go their seperate ways.

In short the committee only judges on the question of the initial adultery ; subsequent decisions rest with the individuals. Innocent partner's face no disciplinary judgement: they have done nothing wrong.

2) Amber gets divorced for infidelity on her spouse's part

See above in reverse (change the name "Amber" for "Fred")

In the event said person is excommunicated (or whatever term JWs may use) how does a JW church, on the other side of the country from this person's such (for example), know said person is excommunicated?
In other words, is there a list of 'non-eligible' people kept for reference or the like?

[JehovahsWitness]

3) Amber gets divorced because she was being physically abused by her spouse

See above
viewtopic.php?p=1059939#p1059939

4) Amber gets divorced because she was physically abusing by her spouse.

Somebody proved to be physically abusing their partner cannot remain one of Jehovahs Witnesses: It is a disfellowshipping offense. If there is sufficient evidence (medical report, a court conviction, prior accusations, witnesses, confession .... ) then unless they repent and do not repeat the offense they will be shunned from the congregation.

Once they are no longer one of Jehovahs Witnesses their marital status is of no concern to us.

[JehovahsWitness]

In the event said person is excommunicated (or whatever term JWs may use) how does a JW church, on the other side of the country from this person's such (for example), know said person is excommunicated?
In other words, is there a list of 'non-eligible' people kept for reference or the like?

Yes, our organisation keeps records of all its members.

When a Witness moves or changes congregation their records go with them; meaning the elders in the new congrgation (a congregation is the local "church group") will contact their previous congregation and request get their ministry records and and other relavant information about them.

Disfellowshipped people usually stop attention our meetings unless they have had a change of heart and wish to return. In which case they must provide the elders with the details of their past congregation so there can be an investigation.

We're not Catholics, so unrepentant sinners cannot just move around and take up their bad behavious in another "parish" unbeknown to the local group. It is how we protect ourselves against preditors and others that would take davantage of our brotherhood.




Why do Jehovahs Witnesses practice SHUNNING?
viewtopic.php?p=877113#p877113

[nobspeople]

In the event said person is excommunicated (or whatever term JWs may use) how does a JW church, on the other side of the country from this person's such (for example), know said person is excommunicated?
In other words, is there a list of 'non-eligible' people kept for reference or the like?

Yes, our organisation keeps records of all its members.

When a Witness moves or changes congregation their records go with them; meaning the elders in the new congrgation (a congregation is the local "church group") will contact their previous congregation and request get their ministry records and and other relavant information about them.

Disfellowshipped people usually stop attention our meetings unless they have had a change of heart and wish to return. In which case they must provide the elders with the details of their past congregation so there can be an investigation.

We're not Catholics, so unrepentant sinners cannot just move around and take up their bad behavious in another "parish" unbeknown to the local group. It is how we protect ourselves against preditors and others that would take davantage of our brotherhood.

Interesting. Thanks for the information.
I find it odd that this amount of preventative measures would be taken when there's other issues that should be addressed (if they haven't been already):
https://news.sky.com/story/there-was-no ... s-12396672
https://news.sky.com/story/there-was-no ... s-12396672
https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-set ... cover-ups/
https://revealnews.org/topic/jehovahs-witnesses/
https://www.robinskaplan.com/resources/ ... e-lawsuits
https://www.npr.org/2020/01/09/79501934 ... -witnesses
https://www.shawlocal.com/northwest-her ... ongregant/

Is this a case of 'low hanging fruit'?

[JehovahsWitness]

I find it odd that this amount of preventative measures would be taken when there's other issues that should be addressed (if they haven't been already)...

Jehovahs Witnesses are a bible based religion meaning we base good practice on scripture. Responsible men are charged with judging those that violate scriptural mandates but Prevention of sinful practice comes primarily from scriptural education and the development of a bible trained conscience. This is totally in line with scripture and I find it in no way excessive or oppressive.

We have NO policing system in our organisation, each individual must be the master of their own personal behaviour but if an individual fails to do so and their choices spill over to where they harm others, then they will be held accountable for their actions.

I have no idea which other issues you feel Jehovahs Witnesses should address but do not.

[nobspeople]

I find it odd that this amount of preventative measures would be taken when there's other issues that should be addressed (if they haven't been already)...

Jehovahs Witnesses are a bible based religion meaning we base good practice on scripture. Prevention of sinful practice comes primarily from scriptural education and the development of a bible trained conscience. This is totally in line with scripture and I find it in no way excessive or oppressive. We have policing system in our organisation, each individual must be the master of their own personal behaviour.

I have no idea which other issues you feel Jehovahs Witnesses should address but do not.

I never claimed it excessive or oppressive, though surely some would make that claim somewhere I'd suspect.
One would think any organization needs to protect itself. However, if god is god it's said to be, I would suspect it would be all the protection it would need against sinful practice.
But I wonder, how is 'kicking one out of the church' due to a divorce preventing sinful practices? Do JWs think that because one is not a part of their church it's enough to prevent them from sinning? That seems an odd concept - prevention of sinful practices - especially since god couldn't have prevented it in the garden. After all, if god can't prevent it, what's the chance anyone one on earth can do so - especially by kicking them out because of a divorce?!?

One could (and maybe rightly so) say, those not part of a church are MORE likely to participate in sinful practices.

The other issues that needed addressed were provided in the links, but it's not a finite list.

[JehovahsWitness]

... if god is god it's said to be, I would suspect it would be all the protection it would need against sinful practice.

The God of the bible has promised to see his modern day church survives and prospers spiritual but God has not promised divine intervention at this present time. The bible* says He will one day judge everyone on earth but in the meantime scripture indicates he has put human "judges" in place to protect in the church from within and allowed secular judges to do their work outside.


JW