JW-ism in various countries: how much influenced by culture?

by InquiryMan 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  InquiryMan

  I have been on various boards the past decade.

  I cannot help but see that in some respects, esp. American JW ism is more extreme than its Scandinavian counterpart, perhaps both ways. Of course this also has to do with the fact that in American society, religion plays a far greater role than in Scandinavia... But it seems that its practiced in a more stern way in some parts in the U (e.g. mid-west), whereas it seems to be more lax e.g. in California (I remember the examples of elaborate weddings that was commented once in the Watchtower, about someone having dozens of brides maids etc wavng umbrellas in the KH etc)....

  However, I would like to note some "peculiarites" about European JW-ism:

  dancing not endorsed at Swedish weddings
  beards alllowed for elders in e.g. Denmark
  witnesses travelling abroad at christmas time so much that it even made headlines in regional newspaper
  winter resort having hundres of witnesses at memorial (in a congo with less than ten publishers)
  beer served at assembly hall inaugeration in Germany (was tol so be some friends, not witnessed myself)
  
  things unique to the US:
  sisters obliged to wear pantyhose
  smurf mania
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  SirNose586

  Beards in Denmark? How very curious. I didn't know that.
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  InquiryMan

  And also accepted in the Netherlands and Ireland I´ve been told.

  Therefore, it is not that strange that the elder in the Danish film Worlds Apart (To verdener) is wearing a beard, although his length of wair is somewhat long even by Danish JW standard, I´d presume.
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  chicken little

  I agree that there are differences country to country and the general "feel" of the population towards religion can determine if there is a hardline or more lax.

  I lived in the north of England and the small minded mentality was far different to that which I experienced when I moved to London. Then some years later we moved to Denmark and the english speaking congregation was a shock..it was so laid back!

  The danes had light beer at their conventions for years...there was a lot of muttering when it was stopped. Sisters wear trousers in the winter on service (I have seen jeans and jogging bottoms). Beards ok. Longish hair ok. Backless dresses, seen it alot. Trainers for shoes, quite ok for youngsters. However if you travel across Denmark to the more conservative Jylland then everyone is small minded...my daughter was told off for wearing a beret to the meeting.

  I often feel sorry for those poor brothers in hot countries that are forced to wear ties on service........in the bush!! I am sure some must rebel.
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  InquiryMan

  bt. Interesting notes, what can be said of your country that might be somewhat different than mainstream jw-ism?
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  purplesofa

  sisters obliged to wear pantyhose

  I don't find that to be true in the part of the US I live in. I dated a brother from London and he thought it was strange that the sisters here did not always wear pantyhose as he said that was the norm where he was from. He also said you would never see a sister wearing an ankle bracelet, I used to always wear one. He said if I came to London the anklet would have to go and I would be expected to wear pantyhose!!!

  I have met sisters and brothers from Australia and found them to be a much closer, loyal and laid back in their friendships. And having a great sense of fun.
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  InquiryMan

  I stand corrected. The reason, I guess, why i did write it was that was the impression I´d got through writings here..

  ;-.)