A chatroom ? I would be on here 25 hours a day then !
With the beard thing, there really is very little in print, just the odd mind control type thing, i.e there was one of their FS experiences, probably fictitious, about a lady slamming the door on a bro. with a beard ,saying something to him about revolutionaries,or something,
"so we would not want to stop someone listening to our life-saving message because our personal choice in dress or grooming got in the way"
the article concluded. (this is from memory, and was early 1970's I think)
When I first thought of growing a beard ,my Wife was concerned that I would not become an appointed man,so she wrote to Broolklyn, this too was around 71-72. The reply was quite pleasant and said they could not make rules on D&G , it was down to local circumstances and the local B.O.E.
I was made a M.S about 73. I grew a beard in 75 with no negative, only positive comment from all the Bros and Sis. inc. Elders .
In 1988 I was to be used on the C.A in an item on field serv. which highlighted an experience I had whilst street witnessing. The Bro. handling the item said he could not use me with a beard, this for an experience I had whilst wearing a beard !
I asked him to show me something in print, he showed me the directions from the GB (which are never made public, or shown to Rank and File Dubs),for handling Assembly items ,which stated no beards. (Wot, not even on sisters ???)
As the beard thing was no great shakes to me, I shaved it off and haven't worn one since, out of choice.
My story just illustrates how very silly and controlling the Pharisees of Brooklyn are, I am glad to be free of the whole thing.
Keep on sprouting !
Love
Wobble