Its all a facade, those fancy dress clothes are meant to hoodwink people into thinking they are true christian, just because of the way they dress. Its all about marketing. What those fancy clothes dont tell is the years of depression and abuse hidden under them.
Why the so formal attire?
by greendawn 19 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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IronClaw
( I guess wearing a suit makes you look more honest )
Yep it does. Just take a good look at all the politicians. LOL
The Claw
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bluebell
( I guess wearing a suit makes you look more honest )
Yep it does. Just take a good look at all the politicians. LOL
The Claw
lol too true!
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poppers
It's about image: if you can project a good image then maybe you can convince yourself and others that that image is what you actually are.
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WTWizard
This reminds me of the whitewashed-grave scripture they so often apply to the other churches. Look super presentable all the time, even if culture no longer requires it. And that will make others think more of them.
The contrast is stark. I remember having jury duty, and the first time I would dress up as if for a meeting. I found out that no one else was in a suit and tie. The second time I dressed the way one might for school: presentable jeans and a decent shirt. And that was more than enough. No one else there had a dress or suit and tie on, save for the judges who are dressed up like that because they are professionals.
I am noticing that the world is becoming more relaxed in dress codes. Even some CEOs dress in leisure suits or in regular clothes (of course, they are going to be presentable). Office dress codes rarely insist on suit and ties anymore. You dress presentably for the occasion, but there is no need for having that suit on.
In contrast, the Watchtower Society is cracking down on this. At the summer a$$embly, they want the members to stay dressed up while eating out and shopping. I suppose this is so people can get spaghetti sauce or gravy daubed on their nice white shirts or their suit coats. They want people to be ever ready to make a sale of the religion. And it doesn't matter how hot it is out: they are supposed to bake all day. And who ever asked the children whether they wanted to stay dressed up all +&*%ing day and just sit there quietly after having to sit quietly all day at the
snoozefestassembly?It's all control. I have never seen an organization make so many rules that were solely to control its members as this one has. None are really necessary. If it was -50 out, who would want to buy crap from a sister because of her legs being exposed to the bitter cold (under that dress, of course)? Or if it is 100 out, would you buy something from a brother who stinks because of the sweat from having that heavy suit coat on? (Of course they have a rule that they are not to sweat--as if natural body functions are morally legislatable).
I wonder what would happen if I came in looking like a ragamuffin. I mean with a baseball cap on backward, messy hair, a T-shirt full of holes and advertising for Six Screens of the Watchtower, baggy pants halfway down, and shoes not tied. And, instead of my official badge, I would have a card advertising Six Screens of the Watchtower. I bet that would be the last time they say anything about casual dress.
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Vernon Williams
I told folks I have meet that I did not attend "worship" services for decades: I attended "business meetings." It is the WTB and TS INCORPORATED and the BUSINESS of the WT is this stuff that goes on at meetings and in "service." Business people dress the part.....
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Sunspot
The WTS want to show that they are different than other religions. They want control over their members. They want neighbors near the KINGDUMB HALLS to see that they look and act different. ( I guess wearing a suit makes you look more honest )
I feel this is the primary purpose....to STAND OUT AS DIFFERENT and have THE APPEARANCE of being clean-cut and therefore: trustworthy. I was also shocked going to church, seeing the diversity of dress.....but it makes no difference in the worshiper once you stop and think about it. All that WTS nonsense fades into the sunset and the HEARTS of those around you are what shines through.
Even on Easter Sunday, I saw only a couple of "Easter dresses" (it was snowing that day, haha!) and mostly casual skirts and dresses...a few with slacks.....but nothing *I* couldn't handle, and certainly nothing Jesus couldn't handle, if you know what I mean. All the emphasis that the men of the Watchtower place on "dress and grooming", detracts from the Good News of Jesus Christ, and clouds the issue when it is not necessary to do so.
Isn't Christianity about loving and accepting others.....and doing GOOD for others when you are able to do so? Is condemning ALL other religions and trashing everyone else's beliefs while you are waiting for billions of "those other people" to be wiped off the face of the earth....a symbol of being a Christian? It seems that the men who write for the WTS have not YET "got the message".
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WTWizard
Have you ever noticed the tracts from the Watchtower? Notice the pictures in Paradise. I notice that the ladies always have dresses on, no matter what. They wear dresses in the garden. Men have slacks and jeans on instead. Now, where is the respect for the ladies within the Watchtower Society?
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RULES & REGULATIONS
I quit attending the "Book Study" about 18 years ago. We had the hottest summer ever where it was 105 degrees that day. We had a "Book Study" at my Uncle's house who didn't turn on his central air conditioner(He was too cheap to turn it on). It must of been around 100 degrees inside with no air to breath. They let us take our suit jackets off but we still had long sleeve shirts and ties on. One sister passed out and she had to be taken outside because it was cooler outside than inside.
That's why I no longer attend.
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greendawn
My point of view is that people don't have to dress formally for worship even informal is fine as long as it is clean and tidy. It's the man within that really counts not the attire, not the physical body even. If the WTS is so sensitive to such issues then it's because they want to promote a slick image of themselves regardless of the fact that it curbs individual freedom. A controlling sect where even beards are no good.