Can a Jehovah witness get expelled from the congregation because of marrying a non-believer?

Question

Can a Jehovah witness get expelled from the congregation because of marrying a non-believer?

Answer 1

There is no Scriptural basis for disfellowshiping a Christian who marries a non-believer.

True, 1 Cor. 7:39 states that a Christian is “free” to marry  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Âœonly in the Lord.”  Or to state it in another way he/she is not “free” to marry outside the Lord.

However, the Christian Scriptures do not state the foregoing as ground for disfellowshiping.

When God gave his law to Israel, his servants were warned: “You must form no marriage alliance with [the nations in Canaan]. Your daughter you must not give to his son, and his daughter you must not take for your son.”  Why not? “For he will turn your son from following me, and they will certainly serve other gods.”—Deut. 7:2-4; Ex. 34:14-16.

What if someone did marry a false worshiper? The Law did not command that the Israelite be cut off.

It was not as with the law about adultery:

“In case a man is found lying down with a woman owned by an owner, both of them must then die together . . . So you must clear away what is bad out of Israel.” (Deut. 22:22)

Similarly, practicers of idolatry and homosexuality were to be executed. (Ex. 22:20; Lev. 20:13)

When the Jews who returned from captivity in Babylon took foreign wives, both Ezra and Nehemiah forcefully condemned them. Ezra said that those doing so “acted unfaithfully” and brought on “guiltiness”; he had them put away their pagan wives.

And Nehemiah, citing Solomon’s poor example, referred to the Jews marrying such unbelievers as people “commit[ting] all this great badness in acting unfaithfully against our God.”—Ezra 10:10-14; Neh. 13:23-27.

This Hebrew Scripture background should help us to understand how the Christian congregation and we personally should view the matter.

The Christian Scriptures mention a number of gross sins for which an unrepentant wrongdoer might be cut off from the congregation. No, not by being stoned as in ancient Israel, but by being disfellowshiped.

Among these sins are fornication, idolatry, adultery, stealing, drunkenness and extortion. A Christian’s marrying an unbeliever is not given as a basis for being disfellowshiped, any more than an ancient Israelite was cut off for that.

But, as we have clearly seen, that course was definitely wrong in Israel. It was unfaithfulness, disloyalty to Israel’s God.

Likewise, for a Christian to marry someone who is not already a baptized Christian would be to disregard the serious counsels stated above.

He/she is not disfellowshiped nor publicly or privately reproved. However, to underscore the seriousness of God’s counsel to marry “only in the Lord”  responsible brothers would not want to solemnize such an unequal yoking. The congregation elders will not allow the Kingdom Hall to be used for wedding purposes by a Witness who plans to ‘become unevenly yoked with an unbeliever’. If one has a special privilege in the congregation, e.g. full time evangelizer (Regular Pioneer), he/she will lose it. (2 Corinthians 6:14)

In closing, as Christians reflecting Jehovah God’s and the Christ’s unfathomable love  the hope of all mature Christians is that those who have married unbelievers CAN BE HELPED not to leave Jehovah. (Gal. 6:1, 2)

Answer 2

no you can not get disfellowshipped. I know many in my kingdom hall that married someone that was not a witness and one sister just became a full time pioneer. he comes to the meetings. you can't help who you fall in love with. but it is best to marry someone who shares your religion because marriage is hard work in itself and having two different religions is even harder. he may try to stop you from going to meetings

Answer 3

No, but you will get some of your privileges taken away from you

Answer 4

If you are Jehovah Witnesses brings non Jehovah witnesses. they are most welcome to the Kingdom hall. Brothers and sisters cares and support.

no one can't help fall in love. they need jehovah in their lives.  

Answer 5

No.

The Bible certainly instructs a true worshipper to marry only another true worshipper, and Christians are specifically told to marry "only in the Lord" (a reference to baptism). However, the Bible never says that failing to follow this instruction is a serious sin such as could result in disfellowshipping or formal reproof.

.. ..(1Co 7:39) [A Christian woman] is free to be married to whom she wants, only in the Lord.

Jehovah's Witnesses do practice the Scriptural practice of disfellowshipping for unrepentance of such serious sins as fornication, drug abuse, stealing, and apostasy. Baptized Witnesses who join the military or publicly engage in worship with another religion are considered to have disassociated themselves from Jehovah's Witnesses.

Contrary to the misinformation of anti-Witnesses, it is quite possible to become inactive in the JW religion without becoming disfellowshipped. As long as one's lifestyle does not bring reproach upon the congregation, and as long as one does not advocate one's disagreements with the religion, the congregation has no interest in "investigating", exposing, and disfellowshipping an inactive former Jehovah's Witness.

For those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated, a primary goal is to shock the person into recognizing the serious of their wrong so that they rejoin the congregation in pure worship. Since the primary bonds that are broken involve friendship and spiritual fellowship, it is well understood that family bonds remain intact. Parents, siblings, and grown children of disfellowshipped and disassociated ones sometimes choose to limit what they may feel is discouraging or "bad association" but that is a personal decision and is not required by their religion.

Former Witnesses who are disfellowshipped or disassociated are typically treated in accord with the Scriptural pattern explained in these Scriptures:

(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. ...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

(Titus 3:10) As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition

(Romans 16:17) Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.

(2 Thessalonians 3:6) Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us.

(2 Thessalonians 3:14) But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed.

(2 John 10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.

(Matthew 18:17) If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations

There are many sins which the Bible neither explicitly nor implicitly teaches to be serious sins such as could result in disfellowshipping.

Answer 6

The bible counsel is for both men and women here at 1 Corinthians 7:39 to "marry only in the lord." Even in bible times, there were many women coming into the Christian congregation so we have further counsel here in 1 Corinthians 15:33 regarding choosing our companions wisely, so that they will continue to bu encourage us in our life course of faithfulness to Jehovah and to Jesus Christ.

Should one choose to marry, keep in mind, you will have problems as mentioned here 1 Corinthians 7:28 and don't forget Hebrews 13:4.

But should one decide to marry out of the truth, keep in mind, that although the congregation may not disfellowship such a person, the angels in heaven are watching our actions here on earth, and how sad it would be for them to tell Jehovah that we could wait on him.  Psalms 145:16

Answer 7

No, but since we are constantly warned against such an action, if we start such a relationship while holding certain privileges, they may be withdrawn.

If you are learning the truth while in a relationship with someone who is not interested, as long as that relationship is above board and conducted with honour and dignity, you should be alright for a while.  Eventually, however, a decision may be forced on you, since we are also advised to avoid entering such a special relationship if there is no intention of marrying.

Jehovah has always expected his loyal woshippers to avoid entering a close relationship with unbelievers.  The Bible shows plainly why.  You can do further research at the following web site.  Also, you can ask any witness who has married a non-believer what their experience is.

Answer 8

No, there is no disfellowship discipline for such an action.

Answer 9

Not any more.

That ended back in the '60's.

Answer 10

The Bible says "marry only in the Lord." But if a Witness were to disregard that, they would not be expelled.

People generally don't understand disfellowshipping. It is done only in extreme circumstances, involving gross sin. Disfellowshipping offences are along the lines of the sins mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.

Answer 11

I never knew this. Thanks for the information.

And for the man that left the truth. I'm sorry, and hope he finds his way back.

Answer 12

No, my husband isn't a Witness. They can not expell/disfellowshiped you for it.

(Question: Someone said that if you marry outside the congregation you'll be reproved....really??? I didn't know that. I married outside and I didn't get reproved and i know of others who have and they didn't get reproved either. The brothers must be slacking over here? j/k).

Anyway, it's frowned upon but it's not a matter for disfellowshipping. This question seems to be coming up a lot lately.....

Answer 13

Paul admonishes Christians to "marry only in the Lord". If a Christian witness of Jehovah decides to not follow this, they will not be disfellowshipped, but will be given a reproof.

This is in accord with the scriptues to protect the congregation from negative influences. In this way the congegation is kept clean and strong.

Answer 14

No. It happens quite a lot. we all hope for the non believer to come into the flock, and sometimes they do.

The bible makes allowance for this in that one person who lives a life acceptable to God/ Jehovah, sanctifies the marriage and he blesses it.

Answer 15

No, but if you have privileges like pioneer, it will be taken away from you.

Answer 16

Nope. I am not a JW, and married a JW.

He later left... but did not get expelled.

Answer 17

No, but can cause additional problems within marriage.

A new marriage has to have time to grow, and adding differences in religion and lifestyles can put a burden on the marriage.

Answer 18

not for the marriage itself, however if there was any indecent moral actions that happened before the marriage took place there is reason to address that if one of the couple are still attending meeting regularly and are an active part of the congregation. Either privately or publicly. They have the obligation of approaching the appointed men to benefit from prayer and pouring of oil  (counsel) to benefit themselves and keep the congregation clean.