I am a Christian (in the regular sense) married to a JW. Throughout our engagement I was treated as a "shameful thing" to be hidden away in secret. There were no JW's at my wedding aside from my husband. The elders have described my honey's marriage against their advice as a "betrayal of Jehovah". Also, my honey has been demoted for this "sin". After the KH became reconciled to our marriage, I have become a target for their preaching work.
Does the WTS condone "mixed" marriages? I think not! Is it easy married to a JW? Not really! It works best when the two of us show patience and respect for each other's differing beliefs. It is worst when religion is used as a wedge separating us, where our mutual and sincere love for God should be drawing us closer together.
Something else to consider, is, who do you go to for help when things get rough? I would never go to an elder for marriage advice, not after the last round of "counsel" my honey received. My honey would never step inside a church.
Here is the latest article on the subject:
?Do Not Become Unevenly Yoked?
Back cover, Watchtower October 15, 2003
AS YOU can see there, the camel and the bull that are plowing together look very uncomfortable. The yoke linking them together - intended for two animals of similar size and strength - makes both beasts suffer. Concerned about the welfare of such draft animals, God told the Israelites: ?You must not plow with a bull and an ass together.? (Deuteronomy 22:10) The same principle would apply to a bull and a camel.
Normally, a farmer would not impose such a hardship on his animals. But if he did not have two bulls, he might yoke together two animals he had available. Apparently, this is what the 19th-century farmer in the illustration decided to do. Because of the difference in their size and weight, the weaker animal would have to struggle to keep up the pace, and the stronger would have a greater burden to bear.
The apostle Paul used the illustration of an uneven yoking to teach us an important lesson. ?Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers,? he wrote. ?For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness?? (2 Corinthians 6:14) How could a Christian become unevenly yoked?
One way would be if a Christian chose a marriage mate who did not share his or her beliefs. Such a union would prove uncomfortable for both parties, the couple disagreeing on fundamental issues.
When Jehovah originated marriage, he gave the wife the role of ?a complement? or ?counterpart? (Genesis 2:18, footnote) Likewise, through the prophet Malachi, God referred to a wife as a ?partner.? (Malachi 2:14) Our Creator wants married couples to pull together in the same spiritual direction, sharing the burdens and reaping the benefits equitably.
By marring ?only in the Lord,? a Christian shows respect for our heavenly Father?s counsel. (1 Corinthians 7:39) This lays a foundation for a united marriage, which can bring praise and honor to God and both spouses serve him as ?genuine yokefellows? in a special sense. - Philippians 4:3
