Reason for no windows in Kingdom Halls

by purplesofa 30 Replies latest jw friends

  • purplesofa
    purplesofa

    I found this newspaper article online today........JR Brown makes a comment why there are no windows in KH's

    http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/080106/enm_4104779.shtml

    No windows for Jehovah's Witnesses?

    By PHILLIP MILANO, The Times-Union

    Question

    Why do Jehovah's Witnesses churches have no windows?
    Jimmy, 32, Catholic, Edinburg, Texas

    Replies

    Depending on the area, it may be safer to do without windows. I grew up in Chicago, and in the dangerous neighborhoods, the halls were either windowless or barred.
    Lina, 20, Jehovah's Witness, Bradenton

    Not having windows is also a cost-saving measure, as it is cheaper to heat and cool a building without windows.
    Johnna, 27, Montgomery, Ala.

    Rocks through the window can be a pretty expensive replacement.
    Jim, 18, Grafton, W.Va.

    I've heard it's so that they don't see the rest of the world burning during the Second Coming. Vandalism and lack of funds are a pretty weak answer.
    Joe, Reno, Nev.

    I have never seen a window in a Kingdom Hall. There is a more in-depth reason than vandalism. That explanation doesn't hold water. Their churches are not the only ones susceptible to that.
    Joseph F., 42, Texas

    Experts say

    Can people who live in glass-free houses throw stones?

    Gaze out your portal and ponder that while we chat with ex-Jehovah's Witness Paul Blizard, now a Southern Baptist pastor in West Virginia and prominent critic of his former faith, which he likens to a cult.

    "They put no windows in because people have a tendency to look out the window rather than focus on the platform in front," he said. "It's just part of the mind control of The Watchtower [headquarters]: having members riveted toward the platform rather than having any distractions."

    Not true, says J.R. Brown, national spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses.

    "Our halls vary with the climate and security concerns of a region. For example in the Caribbean they are open-air . . . but in the United States we have given quite a bit of attention to security and vandalism, so we will build halls without windows. And air-conditioning is expensive [with more windows]."

    Headquarters in New York usually offers a half dozen designs to a congregation looking to build a hall because it's cost-effective, he added.

    But . . . what . . . about . . . the . . . . mind . . . control?

    "We do feel that if you are going to benefit from a session going on, you should look at the speaker and focus on him. . . . Jesus said to pay attention to how you listen," Brown said. "But these are practical suggestions; as far as using a windowless structure to force that point of view, that's a figment of someone's imagination.

    "We honestly feel we are not a cult. Our membership is based on people who voluntarily want to learn and dedicate their lives to God

  • heathen
    heathen

    I think the no windows thing is another attempt from the WTBTS to distance itself from the churches of "christianity" and their use of stained glass. Also probly has to do with insurance rates .

  • yesidid
    yesidid

    I think it is a US thing. I have been to MANY Kingdom Halls outside the US and they all had windows.

  • jaguarbass
    jaguarbass

    We had windows back in Cleveland in the 70's. In my mind if a hall doesnt have windows it is to save on Ac and heat. And maybe there is nothing to see outside. I dont have any problem with acussing them of being a cult. But back in the 70's we had windows.

  • mtsgrad
    mtsgrad

    with the light getting brighter for the last 300 yr you'd thought they would have windows to share it!

  • purplesofa
    purplesofa

    I just found it strange that Brown, their national spokesman had to address the issue.

  • Nathan Natas
    Nathan Natas

    I'm pretty sure the reason they don't have Windows is because they're running under DOS 2.1.

  • restrangled
    restrangled

    Hey purps,

    When I was a teenager we had many windows high up on the walls. When the sun shown in it was such a relief. It was like god saying....don't worry, I'm still here no matter how you are feeling or what you are hearing.

    Perhaps that was too much to deal with for any of them and they had to block out God.

    r.

  • Brain Dead
    Brain Dead

    They run them on MacIntosh operating systems

    Sorry it was just hanging there !

  • TheCoolerKing
    TheCoolerKing

    Interesting, now that I think about it we NEVER had any windows in the Kingdom Halls I attended...

    Maybe they didn't want us to jump out of them???

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