New Light! - Beards are now ok.

[The Librarian]

From latest WT Study Edition

Quote

17 What about the propriety of brothers wearing a beard? The Mosaic Law required men to wear a beard. However, Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, nor are they obliged to observe it. (Lev. 19:27; 21:5; Gal. 3:24, 25) In some cultures, a neatly trimmed beard may be acceptable and respectable, and it may not detract at all from the Kingdom message. In fact, some appointed brothers have beards. Even so, some brothers might decide not to wear a beard. (1 Cor. 8:9, 13; 10:32) In other cultures or localities, beards are not the custom and are not considered acceptable for Christian ministers. In fact, having one may hinder a brother from bringing glory to God by his dress and grooming and his being irreprehensible.—Rom. 15:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 7. - 11/1/15 p9

This should cause some interesting showdowns in congregations all over the United States. LOL

 

Which reminded me of this comical infographic:

[djsqueeze]

After having left Jehovah for almost 20yrs, I gave my first talk with a full beard in Teaneck, NJ.  As an unbaptized publisher I did not shave my beard and went out in service.  (I had come from NH and a few brothers up there wore beards during the winter months. So, I kept the custom, even in the summer months.) 

Just prior to the time for my 2nd talk one of the elders came to me and we had a discussion. I told him about the brothers in NH. He countered with both NJ not being NH and it was the  summer. Then he said that I would not be allowed to give my 2nd talk unless I shaved. (Apparently, at that time only those with a shaving condition known as foliculitus(?) were exempt.)  Desiring to bring praise to my God Jehovah, I shaved and have been doing so for 11yrs running.

[John Houston]

Librarian, from what material comes the quotes about the beard? Nit from any wt, I could find, help me out please.

[John Houston]

The cited WT, is about war, the article is about shaving, Joseph doing so in Egypt, not about beards. There is no article in the study WT of that year, about beards, help me, I'm as dense as mud on the bottom of the Ohio river. So I could have overlooked your enlighten research, that is why I am asking these questions!

[John Houston]

I found it. It was in the September study watchtower.

[John Houston]

You make me look stuff up, I'm getting too old for,this!!

[Damiensouthernohio]

This article was so confusing to me. I'm in southern ohio. I hate shaving. I only do for meetings but since this article I now am letting my beard grow. While at the same time keeping it groomed. Anyone on here having issues in their congregation because of the beard issue. I don't see how it would detract at all from our message since it isn't something that makes you stand out from anyone as a rebel since beards are widely accepted now. Any opinions or help?

[babblings]

I suppose it boils down to how you understand the word custom - most dictionaries say things like custom means -:

. A traditional practice or usual way of doing something followed by a social group or people.

a habitual practice; the usual way of acting in given circumstances. See more.

a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time:

I would say in most western parts of the world - there are exceptions - it is not the tradition, habitual practice and so is not the custom for men to have a beard and so the later part of the quote from the watchtower needs to be carefully consider by any brother reaching out for positions of responsibilities in the congregation.

Beards today have become a fashion item for many young men in the congregation and so the society are trying to take a balanced view on the matter and so should we

[Damiensouthernohio]

I agree it's not necessarily a Custom to have a beard. But in today's society a beard isn't frowned upon among men or something that sets them apart as rebellious or something else as was in the past. But if a brothers conscious allows him to wear a neatly groomed beard then I see no reason to fault him for it or hold it against him in thinking he is not trying to remain modest. I prefer a beard and look better with one. Shaving also causes me to break out and face to burn. So I prefer not to. But I don't want to stand out as someone rebelling against the congregation so I'm stuck in guess. Hopefully the brothers will be accepting of beards soon 

[babblings]

The measuring stick on all aspects of dress and grooming as always been - how are brothers and sisters are portrayed in the societies literature - who get used at the assemblies and conventions for parts on the platform and other privileges

Now i have been in the truth 35 years and as of yet i have never seen a modern day brother with beard portrayed in those areas of service - maybe one day we will but until that happens there will always be ones who feel beards are unacceptable and i would encourage any one who wants such privileges to think carefully about the choices they make and maybe they will play apart in altering peoples feelings on this issue in their own congregation and i hope that does not sound patronizing

[Queen Esther]

Hahaha....  I  knew  it,  I  knew  it  ;-))    My  post  about  that  was  OK...

Thank  you, dear  Librarian !  I  believe,  we  still  get  more & more new light !

[Damiensouthernohio]

@babblings

I do not disagree with you. I was raised a witness and have been baptized 13years now since I was 16. I'm still a youngster lol. And I am always learning. My wife doesn't like my beard so I usually shave it off before meetings. And I'll probably continue to do so for now. I don't want to be the cause for stumbling anyone. Maybe one day things will change until then I'll keep up the fine fight. Thanks everyone. Warm Christian love your brother Damien