Unbelievers Dating Jehovah's Witnesses

CHALLENGE THE TEACHINGS OF YOUR FAITH

• Why do Jehovah's Witnesses have short courtships?
• What is the reasoning behind a grown person needing a chaperone when dating?
• Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses get married at such a young age?
• What is the meaning behind getting a scriptural divorce?

SUPPORTING FORMER BELIEVERS IN THEIR JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY

I’m dating a Jehovah’s Witness that wants to return to the faith how can I help them?

This is a common instance, where a Jehovah's Witness has ventured away from the religion and then eventually wants to return to the faith. There are many issues related to their situation. However, the one thing that you must realize is that even though they left their religion and pursued a life that was not acceptable to the group, your significant other truly believes this is the truth. There may be nothing that you can do to stop them from returning. 

My significant other wants me to join the religion or is threatening to end our relationship

Be glad that your significant other approached you before marriage instead of afterwards. Mainly, because there are so many people that ended up marrying a Jehovah's Witness all to learn that this religion is more than going to church on Sunday. It is a way of life and one that is not normal. At least you have time to investigate this religion for what it is prior to getting married to determine whether or not you want to continue pursuing this relationship.

Once you doe your research and discover what this religion is all about, you may be the one issuing the ultimatum. They may have done you a favor. It is very difficult making the decision because once your emotions are caught up in a relationship, a lot of people don't want to cut ties. But, all relationships have their challenges and being married to a Jehovah's Witness brings more problems than the average marriage can tolerate.

My spouse grew up in the JW faith and now wants to get baptized. What can I do?

Actually, there is very little that you can do. However, since your spouse is not yet baptized and they may be open to reasoning, you may be able to have them do their research about the religion prior to joining. Since they were raised in the religion and never got baptized, you could ask them why they didn't get baptized back in the day. You can further reason with them that if it was really something they wanted to do, why the hesitation? Obviously, there was something that was keeping them from joining, so why now? You want them to think they are coming up with the information though because the Jehovah's Witness has been taught that anyone speaking against the organization is none other than Satan the Devil speaking in the form of a human.

Mainly, you want them to do critical thinking and be willing to do research about the foundation of the religion.

Why didn’t my significant other tell me about their religious beliefs prior to our marriage?

We have received a lot of feedback from individuals asking this question. There is no real rhyme or reason why they did not tell you about their affiliation with the group. Possibly because they were not practicing the religion and had no intentions of returning to the group.

Some people leave the group and don't want any parts of it and then eventually may have a change of heart based on personal experiences that have an adverse affect on their life. They may experience an epiphany and are now looking to reconnect with their past beliefs.

My JW spouse is telling me I can no longer hang out with my old friends. What’s up with that?

When a Jehovah's Witness wants to return to the religion, they must show the elders in the congregation that they are making changes that befit repentance. If their current friends are not living in harmony with the Jehovah's Witness beliefs, they will begin distancing themselves from such friendships. It can be even more problematic if you are a female married to a JW male. It is a known fact that all JW men must preside over their household and have their family in order. It makes them look bad if their family is associating with what the JW's term "worldly" people.