I personally never liked to see the hugging in the prayer and felt it was quite unnecessary when you are before the Almighty. Most had managed to get through the meeting without hugging, few more minutes wouldn't matter.
At a 2 day assembly ...the point that the brother spoke about that drove me mad....."don't hug your husband, wife or child during prayer".
by crazy2try 80 Replies latest jw experiences
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Mad Sweeney
A hug for a family member is ALWAYS necessary. It takes a special sort of dysfunction to make a rule about it, especially when coming from an organization that claims it's so great for families.
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wannabefree
My daughter was hugging her mother during the closing prayer at the meeting this past Thursday, it made me smile, my wife didn't reciprocate, that made me feel sad.
The Finger - I remember not all that long ago it would irritate me a little to see a row of people grabbing each others hands and holding them during the prayers, now it bothers me that it even mattered to me. Its sad how judgmental we get about the innocent things that make others feel happy.
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The Finger
wannabefree,
I think it is respect for God. If we were before the President or King or Queen of our respective country I don't think we would feel the need to hug each other when thanking them or asking for there help.
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finallysomepride
If it annoys you keep your eyes shut & listen to prayer (to all you lot who object to it, what does it matter).
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John Doe
I think it is respect for God
Bullshit.
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hotspur
What god has joined together let no man put apart!
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wannabefree
Jehovah had Moses and Joshua remove their sandals when they were in a holy place. I can't see anywhere in the Bible where He says not to hug during a prayer, clearly, on the othere hand, common sense should tell you that groping would be inappropriate. Now, as for removing your shoes, there is actual Bible precedence for that, perhaps we need a remove your shoes policy when going to the Kingdom Hall or any other Watchtower owned property.
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blondie
Can anyone remember where it originated in WT lore that brothers on the stage should not wear anything but white shirts? I think it started because the brother in charge of the speakers at conventions/assemblies insisted on it with verbal direction from headquarters. It spread even to brothers giving talks at the KH. It was more than one congregation doing this and pastel shirts are not allowed at DCs on the platform. One brotgher was made to go home and change his shirt when the DO discovered it was not white. Then the WTS had to put it in writing that this was never there intention but some "overeager" brothers instituted this rule. Even 12 years later a congregation in this area was still requiring them. (notice that only "pastel" shirts were allowed) I can see the same sort of "thinking" in this.
*** w89 11/1 pp. 29-30 Do You See Only the Outward Appearance? ***Do Not Expect More Than God Does
Our view of others is very limited compared to Jehovah’s, who reads the heart. (1 Chronicles 28:9) Appreciating this will prevent us from becoming modern-day, self-righteous Pharisees, trying to press people into our own man-made mold of righteousness in order that they might fit our concept of what is correct. If we try to see people as God sees them, we will not require more of them than he does. We will "not go beyond the things that are written." (1 Corinthians 4:6) This is especially important for Christian elders to take to heart.—1 Peter 5:2, 3.
We can illustrate this in the matter of dress. The Bible requirement—God’s requirement—is that a Christian’s clothing must be neat and clean, well-arranged and not betraying a lack of "modesty and soundness of mind." (1 Timothy 2:9; 3:2) Obviously, then, the elders in one congregation went "beyond the things that are written" a few years ago by requiring every public speaker in their congregation to wear a white shirt, even though pastel colors were generally acceptable in that country. Guest speakers who showed up with a colored shirt were asked to change into one of several white shirts kept in the Kingdom Hall for just such emergencies. How careful we have to be in order not to impose our personal taste on others! And how appropriate Paul’s counsel: "Let your reasonableness become known to all men"!—Philippians 4:5.
Early Christians were encouraged to greet each other with a "holy kiss" including both men and women, not married to each other.
(Romans 16:12-16) 12 Greet Try·phae´na and Try·pho´sa, [women] who are working hard in [the] Lord. Greet Per´sis our beloved one, for she performed many labors in [the] Lord. 13 Greet Ru´fus the chosen one in [the] Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet A·syn´cri·tus, Phle´gon, Her´mes, Pat´ro·bas, Her´mas, and the brothers with them. 15 Greet Phi·lol´o·gus and Julia, Ne´reus and his sister, and O·lym´pas, and all the holy ones with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the congregations of the Christ greet YOU. . .
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Psychotic Parrot
No wonder children loved Jesus.......he was real