Beards, when were they banned? (page 3)

DocBob

"But more equipment was needed. For that reason Brother Balzereit asked Brother Rutherford for permission to buy a rotary press. Brother Rutherford saw the necessity and agreed, but on one condition. He had noticed that over the years Brother Balzereit had grown a beard very similar to the one that had been worn by Brother Russell. His example soon caught on, for there were others who also wanted to look like Brother Russell. This could give rise to a tendency toward creature worship, and Brother Rutherford wanted to prevent this. So during his next visit, within hearing of all the Bible House family, he told Brother Balzereit that he could buy the rotary press but only on the condition that he shave off his beard. Brother Balzereit sadly agreed and afterward went to the barber. During the next few days there were several cases of mistaken identity and some funny situations because of the "stranger" who was sometimes not recognized by his fellow workers." - 1974 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, pp 97-98

Lady Lee

In the book 30 Years a Watchtowerr Slave, Schnell states:

An amusing incident took place at the time of the Judge's visit (to Magdeburg, Germany). The Director of our german branch, as had many before him, had grown a large beard, patterned after Charles T. Russell`s beard. The Judge dod not want anything at all to remain which might remind him of Russell--not even the cultivation of a beard. So, sitting at the table for dinner one night within my earshot, the Director asked the Judge for one more large rotary press. The Judge said nothing for a while, merely ate. So, ssuddenly he looked up, his eyes pinned severely on the Director`s huge beard and said, Ì will buy you the press if you take that thing off,`pointing to the beard. It surely shocked the Director`s sensibilities, but he meekly heeded the warning and soon shamefacedly appeared minus the beard. p. 51-52

Lady Lee

Thanks DocBob

2 different citations that agree with one another

wozadummy

I remember at an assembly here in the eightees ,in a public talk it pointed out bluntly thet some sisters dressed like protitutes and some brothers had grown beards and he condemned them saying that from that time forward that men reaching out for priveleges would fall in line.A MS in my congo had one,very neatly trimmed and chaffed at the prospect that weekend complaining he had skin problems and grew his beard for that reason. Sunday morning it was gone and he was appointed an elder not long after and has never grown it back...what a good brother and how miraculous it was that the rash disappeared ....Ah the blessing from Jehovah ,that is what makes onr rich!

Frank75

i might be wrong but one of my old JW friends from Canada said that alot of his uncles had beards, and were elders, it seems to be a bit more accepted over there and in America than it is in Australia, over here i dont think ive seen anyone with a beard that is a JW, does this sound right?

I have not visited everywhere in this country, but there is a small coven of CO's as the pot in this country is shallow. Not one of them, even in the foreign language groups would permit an elder, MS or even Pioneer (even some of the sisters! LOL) to have a beard. There have been congregations that have been tolerant, but the tide usually changes sooner than later.

One congregation in Toronto that had some free thinkers in the early 70's wore beards and these silly hats. The congregation was disbanded and nearly all of those guys became elders in their new environs.

I met an Italian elder who sold his business and moved his wife who was dieing of cancer to the DR to enjoy their remaining time together. The local congregation would not allow him to comment or read at the bookstudy. Most of the congregations in that country have been strongly influenced from Canada and US so they share much of the unwritten codes. However the Italians didn't seem to mind, at least according to this man who "eldered" in Roma.

I stand to be corrected, but Beards? No way in my experience, not in Canada. They even make you stand when the prayer is said at book studies, service arrangements and even elders meetings.

Frank75

zagor

That under no circumstances would he be allowed on the platform with the beard or any brother or sister be allowed to go on field service with him.

Heck, that would exclude Jesus too LOL

Pubsinger

I remember a guy who'd had this tidy beard for years. He'd been an elder but had stepped down many years previously because of his wife's health problems.

He was still viewed in good standing. He then began to "reach out" again and became a MS.

He was hgiven a part on the circuit assembly. The CO somewhat reluctantly brought up the beard thing. After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing the guy decides to shave it off (he looked "naked" after all those years!)

On the morning of the assembly, the guy who'd been made chairman for the assembly programme (much younger but from the same congregation) decides completely on a whim, to grow a tidy beard for his assembly part! In the rush getting the assembly started nobody notices!

The CO's face when he realises and the brother who'd shaved mood was highly entertaining

The guy who'd grown the beard was totally bewildered. He said he'd modelled his beard on the other guys who'd shaved cos it was so distinguished!!!!!

misguided

Sam87...I'm from Canada and I can't recall any elders with a beard in my lifetime.

Rose

Skimmer

When the effeminate Nathan Knorr entered into his sexless marriage, it could be said that he acquired a beard.

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From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beard_%28female_companion%29

In gay slang, a beard is a female companion used to hide a gay man's sexuality by appearing in public as if she and the gay man were a heterosexual couple. It is generally considered poor form for a gay man to not reveal his homosexuality to the woman. The term originated in the mid-1960s, and is derived from the notion that a man with a woman on his arm looks more masculine, like a man with a beard. A male companion who accompanies a lesbian woman for the same purposes is sometimes called a merkin.

In the early years of the gay rights movement, some homophile organizations required members to bring beards with them to meetings, for protection in case the police raided the meeting.

Closeted gay men and lesbians may also take part in this kind of relationship, to their mutual advantage. In the past a great many gay men and lesbians, such as Elton John, married in order to fit in with heterosexual society ?" this practice continues today, but less so, as the gay rights movement has made society more accepting of "out" gay men and lesbians.

In the 1920's this union was sometimes referred to as a Lavender marriage.

This term should not be confused with fag hag.

In Woody Allen's film "Broadway Danny Rose", Allen's character insists he is only 'the beard' and not a boyfriend when confronted by gangsters while he escorts Tina (played by Mia Farrow).

The television show Seinfeld brought this term into mainstream awareness by titling an episode "The Beard" in which Elaine Benes helps a homosexual friend hide his orientation, and eventually tries to convert him.

R6Laser

This goes to show how different congregations interpret things differently. I was in both types of congregations. One congregation I attended, having a beard was no big deal and many brothers had beards. Then I moved to a different congregation and it was frowned upon, if you had a beard you could not have any privileges. Same thing with everything, it was always up to some overzealous elder to put his foot down and decide what goes and what doesn't in the congregation, instead of what the WTS said.

Beards, when were they banned?

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