In the 1940's-50's all men wore hats! The Watchtower clearly stated that taking ones hat off for a lady was showing her "worshipful reverence" due only to Jehovah so......Witness men rudely did not do so.....Japanese Witnesses today do they bow in greeting or is this banned? Not sure.
Are Asian Witnesses allowed to bow to each other in greeting or is this "worship?"
by Witness 007 8 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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blondie
*** it-1 p. 216 Attitudes and Gestures ***Bowing was more frequently used in greeting others, in approaching them on a matter of business, or in displaying a high degree of respect. Jacob bowed seven times on meeting Esau. (Ge 33:3) Solomon, even though he was king, showed respect to his mother by bowing to her.—1Ki 2:19.
I guess there was no hat tipping in the OT.
*** w88 8/15 p. 30 Maintaining Our Christian Oneness ***Then there is a wide field of activities where Scriptural principles are not directly involved, including certain local customs. In continental Europe, people frequently shake hands. In parts of the Far East, they bow. Either is acceptable to Christians.
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keyser soze
Japanese Witnesses today do they bow in greeting or is this banned? Not sure.
You just answered your own question. The purpose of the bow is to greet, not worship, or bestow any reverence. I'm sure there are dubs who will interpret it differently.
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asilentone
I do remember one of the JW videotapes, I see them bow down to each other, I forgot the name of the Video. Maybe someone remember that one too.
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Witness 007
I wonder though if in the 1940's-50's this was banned like tipping you hat to a lady.
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blondie
There is no mention of it being banned all the way back through the 1950's publications.
*** w51 10/15 p. 631 Report on Japan and Korea ***The people are very kind and courteous, bowing politely as often as the occasion affords, and appreciating the effort put forth to teach them.
*** w54 5/15 p. 318 Questions From Readers ***Bowing to men does not necessarily mean worship.
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Tea drinker
I've visited a couple of congregations in Japan over the years and I have never seen so much bowing in my life.
I had to keep a smile glued to my face; when standing we would bow from the waist; when sitting we would bow with the neck. By the end of every meeting I would have a back ache, a neck ache and a face ache.
The only advantages were that I couldn't understand anything that was said during the meeting and that I would always be invited back to someone's home for a lovely Japanese meal or a cup of green tea.
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yadda yadda 2
So The Watchtower "clearly" said it huh? Schmuck.
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PSacramento
The INTENTION behind what we do is what is "judged", if one bows out of respect or as a formalized greeting, one is not worshiping.
Of course the WT likes to be selective in their use of "intent", while it is OK to bow ( an act of veneration) with the intent of respect is is NOT ok to celebrate a B'day with the intent to show one's love for another.
That silly WT, their definition of consistent is "that which WE decide to be correct".