Marking and Jehovah’s Witnesses

As a forty-three year member of Jehovah’s Witnesses, serving fifteen years as an elder, I sat on many judicial matters and seen many changes. I estimate involvement in over a hundred judicial matters including three directives straight from the Governing Body. So when the matter of marking is discussed, it occurred to me that it is a very narrow matter. When something is a judicial matter, there is plenty of information to decide what happens next, it is pretty black and white. In all my years of experience, we had only one marking case. As far as I can recall I know of no other infraction that would constitute a “Marking” ruling.

What do i mean?

Consider this, 90% of the time it is a judicial matter. Examples? cigarettes, lottery, drunkenness, causing divisions, apostasy, adultery, fornication, porn, masturbation with porn, loose conduct, etc.. All judicial matters to be investigated and dealt with according to GB Service Department directives.

So what is marking about?

Marking is something you cannot be df (new term REMOVED) for, but it is something the organization does not approve of. It is basically one thing. Dating an unbeliever. You cannot be REMOVED for it, you can’t be publicly reproved, as it is not a judicial matter. So what can they do? Mark you with a talk and by doing so punish you as a bad JW that can only be associated with at the meetings and service. If you continue, the marking continues. If you marry, the marking stops, as you are now married to an unbeliever and by your righteous conduct should be trying to win them membership into JWS. So at that point everyone has to be nice to you, to keep you in and get your unbeliever mate to join up.   

So that is it, marking, was a nasty little punishment for those that dated unbelievers and would not stop after repeated admonition not to. Well, why the change in “new Light” that forbids elders to make an announcement that someone has been marked? Basically, Legal concerns that could get them sued. To announce punishment from the platform that could affect a persons life long choice on who they want to be with, could very easily become a civil matter. What if you stopped dating an unbeliever and then married a JW that molested your children? What if this elder directed mate, beats the crap out of you? What if they commit adultery? You were forced due to marking, to seek a approved mate that turned out wrong, because of fear of this sanction. This overreach is required by past policies of the organization that has harmed or destroyed thousands of lives. Either by being branded as damaged goods (slandered for dating) before the entire congregation through a marking talk, or by obeying and avoiding the talk and changing the entire course of your life.   

The marking talk sanctioned by elders given as a “local needs” part, caused the individual to be ostracized. It was reinforced by the elders telling everyone you were the offending party after the talk. This opens vast civil and legal opportunities that were not available a few years ago.  

So, was it a prayerful Governing Body that sought spiritual direction by reading scripture to shepherd the flock? Or was a fearful Governing Body directed by Watchtower Lawyers to fix this or get our asses sued off?

You decide, was it about helping people or protecting themselves from touching the billions of dollars they strangle out of all JWs to support their lifestyle of living like gods on earth?

Truth can be brittle at times.