New Light on Beards

[TrueTomHarley]

23 minutes ago, George88 said:

It's a pity that people are placing such excessive emphasis on this issue, similar to the exaggerated focus of 1975. Who are the instigators of this exaggeration among the people here?

Look for the guy with fleas.

[Pudgy]

Perhaps I have been sucker punched, but the last 2024 photo I posted came from the JW.org website. It’s a straight screenshot of the Feb. 2024 WT. 

In my search for the April 29, May 5, 2017 WT issue to check, I screwed up. 

My apologies … still checking …..

 

THIS is what I found in the February 2017 Digital JW.org files Watchtower.  

It looks like I have been bamboozled … again, my apologies to all. 

Thanks Tom for the well deserved criticism.

[BTK59]

8 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Fellow Christians in JW have a mutual agreement about beards? 

Now they understand. Hopefully, witnesses will no longer raise uninformed questions about the discrepancies with other countries. International assemblies host many foreigners who are exposed to diverse cultures and their acceptance.

8 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Well, well. This is Funny and/or Alarming.

Either way, it's just one person's opinion.

8 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

In the time of Jesus, there were people in both Greenland and Australia. What do they have to do with beards in the Jewish nation? Jesus is role model ... with his beard? Or not?

Among the mixture of Jews, there were also Romans who kept themselves impeccably groomed, with no trace of facial hair. It is worth noting that not everyone can pull off a beard, especially if it grows unevenly or appears unkempt. Maintaining a polished and presentable appearance is crucial for portraying oneself as a responsible individual; this is the image that should be prioritized.

8 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Since JWs want to be like the first Christians who were mostly Jews, then it is important to remember that the Jews did not follow the world's trends in hairstyles, beards and clothes but stood out as different from their contemporaries. What do JWs want? To be different or the same as people from "nations"?

You've contradicted yourself, but I'll acknowledge the importance of appearing respectable throughout the generations. What was once considered unseemly in the past is now acceptable in the present.

If you comprehend the concept, that's great. If not, it's our responsibility to make it understandable.

Matthew 6:16-18 New International Version
Fasting
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

[TrueTomHarley]

2 hours ago, Pudgy said:

THIS is what I found in the February 2017 Digital JW.org files Watchtower.  

It looks like I have been bamboozled … again, my apologies to all. 

Thanks Tom for the well deserved criticism.

If only a lesson was to be learned from it.

[Pudgy]

I KNOW not to trust anybody, and I KNOW I need to be able to prove ideas, opinions and conclusions BEFORE I make them out loud,  but I was snowed by the really great photo 

That is not an excuse. 

[Srecko Sostar]

11 hours ago, BTK59 said:

Now they understand. Hopefully, witnesses will no longer raise uninformed questions about the discrepancies with other countries. International assemblies host many foreigners who are exposed to diverse cultures and their acceptance.

It is to be assumed that members do not need to question their elders for every dispute or ambiguity, because then the elders go to Bethel and Bethel to HQ for answers.
On the other hand, people in positions of power, and ultimately GB, should stop with the idea that they are "guardians of doctrine" for banal things like beards.

Consequently, everyone in the JW organization bears responsibility for the immaturity that prevails among the believers.

11 hours ago, BTK59 said:

Maintaining a polished and presentable appearance is crucial for portraying oneself as a responsible individual; this is the image that should be prioritized.

I have nothing against neatness.

11 hours ago, BTK59 said:

What was once considered unseemly in the past is now acceptable in the present.

This fact shows the senselessness of striving for rules and religious doctrines and instructions presented by GB. 

[BTK59]

4 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

It is to be assumed that members do not need to question their elders for every dispute or ambiguity, because then the elders go to Bethel and Bethel to HQ for answers.
On the other hand, people in positions of power, and ultimately GB, should stop with the idea that they are "guardians of doctrine" for banal things like beards.

This seems to be relevant only to people who are spiritually immature and believe they are above God's laws. I don't think former witnesses have the authority to dictate God's commands for this point to be considered by true witnesses.

4 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

This fact shows the senselessness of striving for rules and religious doctrines and instructions presented by GB. 

If you can demonstrate that the rule suggested by the GB was truly exclusive to them and not a mere attempt to prioritize appearance on a global scale, then your perspective will become coherent.

[Srecko Sostar]

Related to the beard issue is the issue of tattoos on the body. The Law of Moses forbade the Jews from tattooing. But, JWs do not care about the Mosaic Law to such an extent that its rules would guide them through today's life. JWs today tend to adapt the Bible's permissions and prohibitions to fit their circumstances.
Although I am not a supporter of tattoos, it will be a new experience to observe how GB will regulate this segment of the free will of its members, when it becomes so current that it captures GB's attention.

[Matthew9969]

On 12/22/2023 at 2:07 PM, Anna said:

What?

When I was 15 I received a blood transfusion. My congregation soft shunned me because they literaly were afraid I might have received the blood of a satan worshiper or ax murderer.

[Matthew9969]

2 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Related to the beard issue is the issue of tattoos on the body. The Law of Moses forbade the Jews from tattooing. But, JWs do not care about the Mosaic Law to such an extent that its rules would guide them through today's life. JWs today tend to adapt the Bible's permissions and prohibitions to fit their circumstances.
Although I am not a supporter of tattoos, it will be a new experience to observe how GB will regulate this segment of the free will of its members, when it becomes so current that it captures GB's attention.

Oh my, how would elders verify if a sister got a tramp stamp

[Pudgy]

For years I have been thinking about a large chest tattoo, about the size of a Hyundai steering wheel, A red heart edged in lace, with an arrow through it, with flowing script “Mammy! From Alabammy! Put on some Eggs and Hammy! And don’t Flim Flammy! - Mammy!”,  …. but it would require my nipples for punctuation…..

[Pudgy]

As far as tattoos being preferred over body mutilation, I suppose it depends on the tattoo and the alternate mutilation. 

I suspect some Japanese Sister might prefer a tramp stamp over having her toes amputated.