How do Jehovah's witnesses date?

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses who are not minors (and thus under the control of their parents) are free to date whoever they so chose. They often choose to date individuals with whom they share their beliefs and lifeview, thus most witnesses chose to date fellow witnesses. JW youths are encouraged to date only when they are ready for marriage. Among JW's, dating is not casual. This doesn't mean you have to make wedding plans on the first date, in fact most do not marry the first person they date! We know that dating is in fact how you are to find the person you will spend the rest of your life with. If you date without the intention to marry, you are like a child who plays with a new toy and then discards it. We are encouraged, therefore, to date only those who are compatible with ourselves. This includes having the same goals in life. Therefore, it is prudent for a JW to wait until they are past the "bloom of youth" and date only other baptized JW's.

Answer 2

Our organization does not police every aspect of the lives of our members. What we do receive from the organization is Bible based principles that help us make wise choices.

We are not told that we cannot date people who are not witnesses per say. What we do receive from the organization is Bible principles such as 2 Corinthians 6:14 where it says not to become "unevenly yoked with unbelievers."This is wise counsel that can be applied in many situations. One situation is when considering who to date.

To become joined to a person who is not a fellow Jehovah's Witness will present many problems. Consider the fact that we do not celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and many more. Most non-Witnesses engage in celebrations that we do not. What happens when these celebrations come up? What happens when the Witness has to explain their stand to the other person, or the other person's family, or what if they choose to ignore what they know about the celebrations being pagan, and go ahead and celebrate them anyway? Somebody is going to feel very awkward, whether it's the non-Witness or the Witness. The whole thing will be weird for somebody, or it might even be weird for everyone.

Jehovah's Witnesses know that The Bible says that God does not approve of pre-marital sex. Yet, many non-Witnesses regularly practice pre-marital sex. What happens if the non-witness wants to have sex? Will the witness violate God's law, or will the witness stand up for the Bible? It will be difficult either way.

We also believe that dating is serious. It is not to be viewed as merely recreation. It is a means to find a suitable person to marry. If a person is not old enough or in a position to get married, why are they dating? We believe that unless a person is actually looking for a marriage mate, they should not be dating in the first place.

Each witness has to make the choice for themselves, or if it is a minor child, the parents have the God given authority to make the choice for the child.

The choice that the witness makes will indicate the level that the person is actually in the faith. A person who is truly a witness, will not do anything that can put them into a position that could violate their conscience. But that is subject to the level that their conscience is being directed by Bible principles.

The last paragraph in the above answer explains it well. A Witness CANNOT date someone who is not a JW - that is the simple answer the person above did their best not to say. Therefore, without directly ordering them to stop, it is said that the choice they make indicates the level that the person is in the faith. In simple words, if you do it, you are showing you are not really in the faith and you can expect to be 'marked' by others - one step short of being shunned completely.

The comment "Our organization does not police every aspect of the lives of our members" is a deception. If a JW goes against the guidelines they are disciplined (punished), therefore the 'guidelines' are in fact rules. JW's don't like others to know this, and my reply is sometimes removed.

Answer from a JW

It is not recommended to because in can cause problems such as premarital sex, unwanted pregnancies, and many other problems that can come into play. Plus Jehovah's Witness can only date to get married and the bible says only to be married in the lord. But it depends on the individual because you could be dating someone who coming out of the world and trying to become a witness but I wouldn't advise to do that unless they were a spiritual person who had moral values before they became a witness. But in any other cases no you aren't supposed to date a someone who is not a JW. if you do this you can be punished because it shows that you your not in the faith how else would you change your ways if you weren't punished for wrongdoing.
Jehovah's Witnesses are in fact Christians and it's the person's option on who he is willing to begin a courtship with.

Where you can search for topics that might peek your interest. If that is the case why do they shun people who are not members of the church. Is that what Bible teaches? that followers of the savior Jesus to allow division, favoritism, and nepotism their mix if we actually all Christians as one.

Answer 3

Jehovah's Witnesses can date. However, we view dating as a prelude to marriage, so unless we are ready for marriage, and Scripturally free and of age to marry, we choose not to date. Dating is not viewed as a recreational activity. Jehovah's Witnesses can have good association with others without being in a one-on-one situation.

For those who are dating in preparation for marriage, we prefer to do that in a setting that that we are not alone with a member of the opposite sex, in order to avoid tempting circumstances that could lead to a violation of Jehovah's Scriptural stated sexual moral standards.

As one of jw's i know that we can date but it is best to wait until you are at the proper age not like a teenager or anything but when you are ready for marriage. and it is best to date someone who is a strong spiritual witness who upholds to the same standards as yourself.

Answer 4

Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to view dating as a serious matter. We view it as a means of finding a potential marriage mate. So , rather than indulging in it as harmless fun, we view dating as a serious step toward marriage that should be taken only when one is physically, mentally, and spiritually ready-as well as Scripturally free-to enter into a marriage partnership.- 1 Corinthians 7:36.

Answer 5

Yes but it isn't encouraged and may be viewed as being spiritually weak. I use to think so, until I did it. Even though I married the perfect man for me I realize the damage I did to my children. They thought all men were like their father. My husband doesn't like holidays, or religion. I asked him to find if there was anything he could find was a lie I would not be one. He studied, researched, and talked to others but could not find a reason to not be a witness. So I continued although he was so busy he didn't get baptized but all my daughters took to the truth, studied and got baptized. But I go to the meetings alone and service alone, it's a lonely spiritual journey. I met a sister who had the perfect husband but he was a brother she had the spiritual calm that eludes me.

2 Corinthians 6:14 "Paul's counsel on marriage is for our benefit. (Isaiah 48:17) When both prospective mates have dedicated themselves to Jehovah, their commitment to each other in marriage has a solid, spiritual foundation. They share the same values and the same goals. This greatly contributes to a happy union. Moreover, by 'marrying in the Lord,' one shows loyalty to Jehovah, and that leads to enduring blessings, for "with someone loyal [Jehovah] will act in loyalty."-Psalm 18:25.

Jehovah has set out in his Word the direction to marry only in the Lord. Because he know what is good for his people. Not only does he want to safequard his servants from the pain resulting from pursuing an unwise course, but he also wants them to be happy. So for the good of his servants God has directed us to marry only true worshippers. (Isaiah 48:17,18) see Watchtower 3/15/15 pp 30-32 on jw.org

1 Corinthians 7:39 says "...marry only in the Lord."

2 Corinthians 6:14 says "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers."

Answer 6

it is basically their choice, but if they say yes then they may have difficulties in the future, but its okay.

Um, no. Nobody who calls themselves a Jehovah's Witness would consider dating a non-Witness a good idea. To be a Witness is not easy, it is in itself a very different lifestyle choice to most, and anybody considering marriage would consider the best marriage mate to be someone who shares the same goals and values. Anything else will cause great stress and conflict. The Bible itself is quite clear:

(2 Corinthians 6:14) ". . .Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers.. . ."

(Deuteronomy 7:3, 4)" . . .And you must form no marriage alliance with them. Your daughter you must not give to his son, and his daughter you must not take for your son. 4 For he will turn your son from following me, and they will certainly serve other gods; . . ."

This is why many marriage experts agree that a common spiritual belief is best for better shot at a successful marriage. To be a Jehovah's Witness or to not be a Jehovah's Witness is a personal choice. Choosing one or the other will lead to different freedoms and sacrifices.

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses do not view 'dating', the way most people view it. For us, dating is not 'for fun'. We only date when we are 'ready for marriage'. Therefore teenage dating is not practiced, since neither are financially ready to enter marriage.

We also take great care with regards to 'morals'. Chasteness, purity, cleanness, means something to us. Therefore any pre-marital sexual activity, is not acceptable if they are not married. 'Holding hands' leads to 'kissing; kissing leads to 'touching'; and before you know it 'off come the clothes'. For us, this does not represent 'chasteness'; and is not befitting of a genuine Christian.

HOW do we do it? --- When a couple is 1) old enough; and 2) financially, emotionally, and responsibly ready for marriage; -- then with communications with older ones (their parents, other chaste adults, elders) -- limits are set. Perhaps an arrangement for chaperones is agreed upon (even with adults wanting to date with marriage as a goal).

This is how we keep our dating process pure, clean, and chaste. When this is followed; it actually works; our conscience remains clean when we speak with other people about Jehovah God and his righteous requirements.

Answer 8

This is not a question to be answered by anyone other than the person in question, or the parents of the person in question if that person is a minor.

Answer 9

Yes, but they will be looked upon as very weak spiritually speaking, so in practice, not really