JW’s are now allowed to have beards and publicly preach....

[Space Merchant]

The question is, if some of them have beards, how to they deal with those who uphold a specific viewpoint on beards concerning people of certain countries and or a nation? For example, some Nigerians who uphold beard bans act differently with people who have beards vs. those who do not have, similar to the whole aspect of a language barrier whereas the person is vastly different if you speak their language and or know there locale and or originate from said locale.

[JOHN BUTLER]

9 hours ago, Space Merchant said:

The question is, if some of them have beards, how to they deal with those who uphold a specific viewpoint on beards concerning people of certain countries and or a nation? For example, some Nigerians who uphold beard bans act differently with people who have beards vs. those who do not have, similar to the whole aspect of a language barrier whereas the person is vastly different if you speak their language and or know there locale and or originate from said locale.

Why would anyone have a beard ban ?  Does it mean something special ?

I think it is strange for white people to have dreadlocks but each to their own idea. But to ban a growth of hair which is a natural thing. Surely it is the shaving of hair that is unnatural ? Although I would not want a beard for myself. 

 

[Matthew9969]

That's good jw's are being allowed to show some individual personality. This is a young couple though, let's see how long before they see TTATT.

[JOHN BUTLER]

32 minutes ago, Matthew9969 said:

That's good jw's are being allowed to show some individual personality. This is a young couple though, let's see how long before they see TTATT.

I do love that word 'ALLOWED'. it shows the control the GB have over the congregants  .  Totally unChristian to 'Lord it over the congregation' but there ya go, that is the nature of the beasts (GB / JW Org).   

[Srecko Sostar]

On 3/21/2017 at 12:05 AM, The Librarian said:

JW’s are now allowed to have

Very Understandable and Acceptable Explanatory Statement :))))

.....with all questions and answers that this sentence - JW’s are now allowed to have - contains in itself. 

[Space Merchant]

On 7/17/2019 at 7:57 AM, JOHN BUTLER said:

Why would anyone have a beard ban ?

Cultural Reasons to some, for all customs are not the same as others.

On 7/17/2019 at 7:57 AM, JOHN BUTLER said:

Does it mean something special ?

Yes, to some, be it positive and or negative, and or a form of honor and or disrespect to the point a person will converse and or interact with you or the other way around. It usually depends on the group of people.

On 7/17/2019 at 7:57 AM, JOHN BUTLER said:

I think it is strange for white people to have dreadlocks but each to their own idea.

It isn't strange, but it is seen as something negative by some people.

On 7/17/2019 at 7:57 AM, JOHN BUTLER said:

But to ban a growth of hair which is a natural thing.

Well you'd have to be concerning of someone's culture and what some among them do.

An example, for people of my Father's country, if you say to a parent "you have a nice baby" or "a nice boy/girl/child" and or calling them handsome or something of the sort, it is a sign of disrespect and that increases to major levels due to what that implies. For you can be seen as a Lugauro or a sosye ( a witch) who preys on children; the reaction of the parent and or guardian would go into protection of their kids by pretty much expelling themselves from your presence.

On 7/17/2019 at 7:57 AM, JOHN BUTLER said:

Surely it is the shaving of hair that is unnatural ?

In the end you have to understand and honor the views of those who are not of the same group or nation as you.

 

[Anna]

What's this about allowed/not allowed to have a beard? You can do what you want. You will just be limited in what privileges you get in some congregations. So it's up to you. Thankfully sisters don't have beard restrictions. A sister with a beard can still pioneer 😀

[JOHN BUTLER]

6 hours ago, Anna said:

What's this about allowed/not allowed to have a beard? You can do what you want. You will just be limited in what privileges you get in some congregations. So it's up to you. Thankfully sisters don't have beard restrictions. A sister with a beard can still pioneer 😀

@Anna There is a  'lady' here in Sidmouth Devon, (here where i live) and she has dreadlocks and beard growth. She is rather rotund and scruffily dressed. She's an antiques dealer so we have known her through the trade, she speaks quite posh. She immediately came to mind when you mentioned 'sisters with a beard'. 

But back on topic. I had to laugh at your sentences 2 and 3.

Quote 2. You can do what you want. 3. You will just be limited in what privileges you get in some congregations

This falls apart for two reasons. 1. it is like blackmail. 2. the system should be exactly the same in every congregation earthwide. Otherwise the Org is basing it's decisions on the 'traditions of men' 

There is no scriptural reason why any man in JW Org should not have a beard. So as i say it then becomes 'traditions of men'. 

[Colin Browne]

On 3/21/2017 at 5:43 AM, Arauna said:

I love a neat looking beard!  Scruffy ones - noooooo.   Unfortunately it is very easy to let a beard go wild.  It takes constant care it seems..... I have no experience regarding this so I better shut up! -  although the menopause stray hairs have started developing and this also takes some care!

 

Overly righteous.docx

[Colin Browne]

2 minutes ago, Colin Browne said:

 

Overly righteous.docx 13.25 kB · 0 downloads

2 minutes ago, Colin Browne said:

 

Overly righteous.docx 13.25 kB · 0 downloads

2 minutes ago, Colin Browne said:

“Do not be overly righteous, nor show yourself excessively wise. Why should you bring ruin to yourself?” (Eccl. 7:16)

As imperfect humans many set personal standards for righteousness, with little consideration for the needs of others.

 

There were only two experiences with beards during my 63 years in Jehovah’s service.

The first was during the 70’s when a musician and wife began attending meetings.

The man had short neat beard, and was soon told that he should comply to our society’s standards.

 

His wife’s tried to explain that the beard was merely to cover the distortion of his face,

but the elders insisted that the beard must go. They stopped attending meetings a short while later. 

 

The second experience began circa 2012 when I became very attached to a new bearded brother

whose wife was already baptised, and we have been sharing in the ministry for the past seven years.

He was later told that he would not be qualify for advancement if continued wearing the beard.

 

My friend continued wearing the beard, and I had mixed feelings about the matter.

We are since allowed the brothers to wear beards, and my friend recently became a ministerial servant.

……………………..

 

 

[Space Merchant]

@Anna Likewise the culture and customs for some, reasons why what is done in countries that is unknown to majority of outsiders, be it British folk, Americans, etc if done in the UK or America is is seen as normal.

That being said, I had short dreadlocks for a long time when I was very young into the age of 12, I chose to point them. One of my biggest problems was my hair always got in my eyes. The only good thing about the ridiculous amount of biotin in my system is I do not have to worry about going bald, as some around my age, 20s, are suffering from. Sadly even, I see women with this issue of baldness. Either genetics for some or high levels of D.H.T. (Dihydrotestosterone) byproduct. I do have a beard though, but it is very short, and at times, I do choose to cut it, if in my father's country in some parts, if I visit, I do cut it due to culture reasons and to show some respect.

[JW Insider]

11 hours ago, Colin Browne said:

His wife’s tried to explain that the beard was merely to cover the distortion of his face,

but the elders insisted that the beard must go. They stopped attending meetings a short while later. 

This is pretty sad. I think a lot of it had to do with the more Anglocentric makeup of the GB in past years. The motive of giving the appearance of unity is not a bad one. Our styles of dress reflect our unity of worship. It's nice to be able to drive through a neighborhood or even visit another city and recognize Witnesses from quite a distance away. But now, there is more concern for writing counsel that advises an entire world of customs. There is a need to generalize the counsel since every country gets the same counsel.

A lot of people think that Rutherford started the no-beard policy as a control measure to make sure that the Russellite cult was weeded out from among the Bible Students. My great grandfather was among the Chicago Bible Students who had many beard-growers because they thought so highly of Russell, who wore a beard. He was well-known in Russell's circle of associates, but would not have "advanced" under Rutherford if he did not cut his beard.