Can a man who is a Jehovah's Witness marry a Catholic woman?

Answer 1

The choice of ones marriage mate is of course a personal matter. Marrying outside of the faith carries no immediate sanctions as far a Jehovah's Witnesses are concerned. However, since it goes against The Bible principle to marry "only in the Lord" understood by Jehovah's Witnesses to mean, to marry only those that share their faith, it would be considered an act of unfaithfulness. Most people seek to marry someone with whom they share common goals, values and lifeview, Jehovah's Witnesses are no different, although a union between a catholic and one of Jehovah's Witnesses can be 'successful' if both endeavor to put into practice bible principles, there will no doubt be areas (education of the children, health decisions, observation of religious holidays etc) which will prove challenging. Interfaith marriages can create serious issues in the household. What happens at Christmastime when the non-Witness wants to celebrate the holiday, and the Jehovah's Witness does not, citing the un-Christian origin of the holiday, and therefore their conscience would be hurt if they did? Or what if there are children? What religion will the children be raised in? How will the wedding ceremony itself be carried out? Will it be at the Cathlolic person's church for the benefit of their Catholic family? What happens when, after marriage, due to the rigorous spiritual program that Jehovah's Witnesses engage in, that is, multiple meetings during the week, door to door ministry, and person study, the non-JW mate feels neglected? As a Jehovah's Witness man, who is married, I appreciate that I am married to a fellow Jehovah's Witness, who not only does not feel neglected by my weekly spiritual program, she is there with me, doing the same things. We are together in our faith, and rather than being a point of contention as it could be in an inter-faith marriage, it is something that has brought us closer together. Of course, there are times when a person becomes a JW after they are married and their mate does not. These are instances where there can be difficulties, but many Jehovah's Witnesses are successfully dealing with these problems with God's help. But, the Bible says to "marry only in the Lord."(1 Corinthians 7:39) As pointed out in the previous answer, we understand that to mean that we should only marry someone who shares our faith. If we were to go against what God has said, and this goes with any situation, could we rightly expect God's help when problems come up as a result of our not obeying what we understand to be God's warning to us to start with? RELATED QUESTION http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_a_relationship_between_a_Jehovah%27s_Witness_and_a_Catholic_work

Answer 2

I cannot speak for a the Catholic view on the matter. That portion of this question should be handled by a Catholic. But I can speak for the Jehovah's Witness view, which I will try to do. Jehovah's Witnesses feel that the Bible is the final authority on all matters, and the Bible states to "not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers."(2 Coriinthians 6:14) From our view, we understand that to mean to not get married to people who are not of our faith. Now, let me be clear about this. This does not mean that we have spiritual policemen that come to enforce our beliefs on our members. That is simply not the way it works, although some outside our faith seem to have that misconception. The Bible principles are taught for the benefit of those in the congregation that will listen and apply them. However, applying the counsel is up to the individual. No one can dictate to another full-grown person who they will marry, even if that person is of another religion. It is also noteworthy that claimming to be a Jehovah's Witness does not make a person a Jehovah's Witness. Active Jehovah's Witnesses are not merely "pew sitters." One who is deeply involved in our faith will not be involved in a relationship of this nature in the first place. But, if somehow a Jehovah's Witness does get in an inter-faith relationship, the elders in the congregation will likely speak to the person and inform that person of the potential hardships that are likely to result from such an alliance. But a JW will not be shunned, disfellowshipped, or removed from the congregation for marrying a non-JW, as long as there were no serious violations of Bible commands, such as sex before marriage, and as long as both who are getting married are truly free from the Bible's standpoint to get married-that is, neither is actually married to someone else. (From the Bible's standpoint, that would require an entire additional Q&A to explain, so I will leave it at that) But for the Jehovah's Witness and the non-Jehovah's Witness alike, it would be good to consider how wise such a decision would be. Consider, Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate holidays such as Christmas and Easter, and do not celebrate birthdays, viewing them all as coming from pagan religion that pays homage to gods other than the God of the Bible, Jehovah. This can create friction and awkward situations during holiday seasons, particularly with the in-laws who likely will not understand the viewpoint of the Witness. Jehovah's Witnesses view most of the practices and teachings of other religions that claim to be christian as pagan (non-Biblical) in origin. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in a burning hell, purgatory, or an immortal soul, which are central Catholic teachings, and this will affect the way in which the Jehovah's Witness in this relationship will handle the death of relatives and in-laws. This can likewise create difficulties in the relationship. The JW in the relationship will view it their responsibility to teach any children in the marriage according to the way in which they have come to an understanding of the Bible. This may cause friction between the two, if the non-Witness likewise feels the same way about their own faith. What happens when the JW in the marriage wants to go out knocking on the neighbor's doors, preaching the Bible? How will the Catholic mate feel about this, especially when the Witness wants to take the children along? These are just a few things to consider for both parties in this situation.

Answer 3

The more accurate answer is that Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged by the Bible to marry "only in the Lord" or 'marry only fellow believers'. That being said, Jehovah's Witnesses like everyone else are free moral agents and can marry whomever they like as long as both people are legally and spiritually free to marry. Consequences from going against the Apostle Paul's counsel are normally felt on a personal level if at all. (1Cor 7:39; 2Cor 6:14)

Answer 4

Of course it technicaly can happen, and has done quite a few times but is fairly rare. A true witness to Jehovah will only marry a witness. Therefore will only procreate with a witness in marriage.

Answer 5

Yes, in principle, provided he or she was marrying a Catholic. In a Catholic wedding at least one of the partners must be a practising Catholic. If the non-Catholic JW partner married in a Catholic church he or she would have to agree to uphold the Catholic tradition of Christianity and to bring up any children as (1) Christians and (2) Catholics if possible. Also the marriage would be considered blessed by God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Despite the possibility in principle, it is highly unlikely that a JW would be allowed by the JW organisation to get married in a Catholic Church for fear of being disfellowshipped, as he or she would not be allowed to adopt the Christian faith of the Catholic Church in accepting that Jesus is divine and part of a Trinitarian Godhead. The Catholic Church, however, like all Christian churches, would accept him or her for marriage provided that he or she accepted the sacramental nature of marriage and did not regard the ceremony as a sham just in order to get wed.

Answer 6

Participate as part of the Bridal party, probably yes. Would also be allowed to attend. As for a Jehovah Witness member being married in a Catholic church, most definitely not, but ask the priest, anyway.

Answer 7

Yes. An unbaptized Witness is not really classed as a Witness.

Witnesses believe that 2 Corinthians 6:14, ''Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers'' means that baptized Witnesses should only marry baptized Witnesses.

Roman Catholic AnswerCatholics are not permitted to marry outside of the faith. Marriage to a baptized non-Catholic is called a mixed marriage and would require a dispensation from the bishop. "Marriage between two persons, one of whom is baptized in the Catholic Church or who has been received into it and has not left it by means of a form act and the other of whom is non-baptized is invalid." - Canon 1086 of the Code of Canon Law. Under certain conditions, one may apply to the local Ordinary (the Bishop) for permission to marry (if there is a just and reasonable cause) a non-baptized person, provided:

from Canon 1125

1) the Catholic party declares that he or she is prepared to remove dangers of falling away from the faith and makes a sincere promise to do all in his or her power to have all the children baptized and brought up in the Catholic Church.

2) the non-Catholic party must be informed of these promises which the Catholic party has to make so that it is clear that the other party is truly aware of the promises and obligation of the Catholic party.

3) both parties are to be instructed on the essentials ends and properties of marriage, which are not to be excluded by either party.

Canon 1126 The conference of bishops is to establish the way in which these declarations and promises, which are always required, are to be made, what proof of them there should be in the external forum and how they are to be brought to the attention of the non-Catholic party.

Answer 8

Yes they can marry. However, if they both are strict observers of their respective faiths, it is going to be a very bumpy road as Catholics and JWs have very divergent religious views.

Answer 2: Jehovah's Witnesses are advised not to become unevenly yoked because of different beliefs that we have from other religions. If we marry to a person who has different beliefs from our own, that marriage would be very rough, not to say that all jw marriages are perfect because they aren't.

Answer 9

Jehovah's Witnesses do not have set rules on such matters. Each person will decide based on their own conscience.

For example, some Jehovah's Witnesses may not want to go into a Catholic Church for a wedding ceremony because they may feel that they would be participating in an act of worship, something that Jehovah's Witnesses would not do. Others may feel that they are simply observing the wedding of a friend or relative not taking part in worship. There may be other factors that one of Jehovah's Witnesses would consider in making this decision. Each person has to decide based on their own personal conscience.