BEARDS letter from GB

Shane

WATCHTOWER
BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC.

WRITING DEPARTMENT PHONE (718) 625-3600
25 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11201-2483, U.SA
EZF:ESJ December 11, 1996

Dear Mr.

---- -
We apologize- for our delay- in responding to your letter letter of November 3, 1996. You ask about the propriety of a Christian wearing
a beard.

As you likely have realized, the publications of the Watch Tower Society have not endeavored to make specific rules to govern dress and grooming in the tens of thousands of
congregations earth wide. Grooming and clothing styles vary around the world. The Bible does not set forth specific directions on dress or grooming but does advise Christians to dress
modestly and to do things in such a way as not to offend others. (1 Corinthians 10:29, 31-33; 1 Timo-thy 2:9, 10) Thus, one would want to consider what is commonly ex-pected in one's
community of those who profess to reverence God or who teach the Bible to others.

A well-trimmed beard in itself would not preclude one from be-ing in the Theocratic Ministry School, sharing in the ministry, or being baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Nor should a Chris-tian be shunned simply for wearing a beard since this is not con-sidered as being disorderly in one's conduct. At the same time, the Society is not in a position to investigate the leanings and preferences of each of the tens of thousands of communities where in Jehovah's Witnesses carry on the all-important work of making known the Kingdom
good news. As Paul stated, we are "a theatrical spec-tacle to the world, and to angels, and to
men." So it appears that the early Christians were cognizant to some extent of the impression given to others by their appearance and comportment. As you can likely appreciate, they would not want anything to distract others from listening to the message.-i
Corinthians 4:9; 2 Corin-thians 4:2.

As you note in your letter, there are some areas of the world wherein a certain style of dress and grooming is viewed as accept-able for one who is teaching the Bible or "professing to
reverence God" in the community. (Compare 1 Timothy 2:10.) In other areas the same style might be quite objectionable or even offensive to a particular community or culture. While not condemning a person who chooses a certain style of dress and grooming that does not
con-flict with Bible principles, when it comes to one being considered for special privileges in the congregation, we feel an obligation

December 11, 1996 Page 2

to leave this with the local body of elders, who are able to assess better how the matter is viewed locally.-Luke 12:48; also compare Acts 16:3 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-22.

At the same time, on matters of grooming, we do agree that this should be left to an individual's personal decision. While a certain style of grooming, such as wearing a beard, does not pre-vent a person from being valued as one of Jehovah's servants in the Christian
congregation, it may have some effect on the extent he can be used for additional privileges,depending on the local sen-timent. In time, a person's preferences may even change somewhat when considering all of the factors involved.

We trust that these comments will be of some help. We take the opportunity to send an expression of our greetings and best wishs.

Sincerely,

OF NEW YORK, INC.

peterstride

Sounds like official double-speak...

Peter

Shane

It is double talk plain and simple.
They end it suggesting that in time you will consider all the above and not have a beard thereby letting your self be controlled by the GB's thinking.
Its sad and stupid, the Talban's requirements for having a beard is much like the GB deep set conclusion that they are a theatrical spectacle to the world, and they are so much looked upon, give me a break the sun does not rise and set to people thinking about JW's.
THE END. Shane

fodeja

In time, a person's preferences may even change somewhat when considering all of the factors involved.

That's a stunning example of cult thinking: "We're not telling you to do it. You will want to do it".

f.

Ivor Hope

Well I'm glad that's cleared up!

And I always thought it was a throwback to when "Judge" Rutherford hijacked the WTS from Russels chosen succesors, and in order to clear out any lingering affection or loyalty to Russel, he introduced the no beard pilicy. Prior to this most of the "Bible Students" wore big bushy beards.....just like Russel!!

Pathofthorns

Would you be able to post a scan of this letter? or is one available somewhere?

The letter is dirty because it makes the Society appear so neutral in the matter and passes the buck off to the local elders to do their dirty work and look like the villains.

What an outsider would fail to appreciate is the direct influence the Society had in creating the general mindset that beards=bad=spiritually weak, which would in most halls disqualify that individual from "privileges" until he shaved his beard.

In the meantime, privately he is viewed as "spritually weak" or a "fringe brother" who is obviously manifesting independant thinking.

Very sad and devious.

Path

Room 215

Hi all,

I agree with the majorituy jhere. The letter is duplicitous in that it implies that the local congregations have discretion in the matter while clearly sending a signal that Big Momma ain't too thrilled with facial hair. It also is a indication how obssessed they are with superficial appearances and how out of touch with reality they are.

Geordie

"While a certain style of grooming, such as wearing a beard, does not pre-vent a person from being valued as one of Jehovah's servants in the Christian
congregation, it may have some effect on the extent he can be used for additional privileges,"

If you wear a beard you cant be any more than a publisher then?

Seems strange to me that god gave us facial hair but we have to shave it off to worship him. Is this another one of the so called mistakes of god that the WTBTS keep talking about?

How do they feel about "slap heads" or "comb overs"?

ozziepost

I note from the WTS letter that their concern is for those on the OUTSIDE

As you can likely appreciate, they would not want anything to distract others from listening to the message

In view of this statement:

In other areas the same style might be quite objectionable or even offensive to a particular community or culture.

we could ask which communities find beards objectionable or offensive? Isn't it true that the community in question is not "in the world" but the JW community?

So we seems to have circular reasoning here. We shouldn't have beards because they are objectionable to the community. And which community? The JW community!!!

Cheers,
Ozzie

"If our hopes for peace are placed in the hands of imperfect people,
they are bound to evaporate." - Ron Hutchcraft Surviving the Storms of Stress

sadiejive

...give me a break the sun does not rise and set to people thinking about JW's.

LMAO. But they seem to think it does.

This letter is a good example of how they tell you that you can't do something but at the same time tell you that you can:

A well-trimmed beard in itself would not preclude one from be-ing in the Theocratic Ministry School, sharing in the ministry, or being baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Nor should a Chris-tian be shunned simply for wearing a beard since this is not con-sidered as being disorderly in one's conduct...ALSO...At the same time, on matters of grooming, we do agree that this should be left to an individual's personal decision

and then they say:

While not condemning a person who chooses a certain style of dress and grooming that does not conflict with Bible principles, when it comes to one being considered for special privileges in the congregation, we feel an obligation to leave this with the local body of elders, who are able to assess better how the matter is viewed locally...ALSO...While a certain style of grooming, such as wearing a beard, does not prevent a person from being valued as one of Jehovah's servants in the Christian congregation, it may have some effect on the extent he can be used for additional privileges, depending on the local sen-timent.

I agree with what Fodeja said as well. It seems that when it comes right down to it...you will shave your beard or you won't be able to do anything.

To be honest, I always felt that their apparrel was intimidating. Someone shows up at your door with a suit on and you're standing there in a pair of cut-off shorts (that were once jeans) and a tank top. Makes you feel kind of small. Perhaps, it's because the church I attended prior to meeting the JWs was extremely lax in their attire. We wore jeans on Sun nite and sometimes shorts to the Youth meetings on Weds. I think they'd do better to show up on people's doorsteps dressed like normal people dress.

If they are so concerned about "not offending" people or "distracting from their message", then they really should consider the fact that "most" people assume that someone who shows up at their door, wearing a suit and tie is most likely a salesman or a JW...and probably won't answer the door .

Sadie

BEARDS letter from GB

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