The society once even pictured JESUS as clean shaven for many years in it's books. Beards were "sort of" banned. I don't remember a single brother who had privledges with a beard....anyone else?
Anyone EVER had an Elder with a beard??? I can't remember even one!
by Witness 007 20 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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cedars
Yes, I knew an elder who served for quite some time with a beard. He gave talks as an away speaker, and I understand he sparked outrage in certain congregations he visited. One congregation even wrote a letter of complaint to his body. Perhaps not suprisingly, he recently shaved it off. It's a shame, because I always admired his audacity in wearing one.
Cedars
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sir82
Beards are allowed in some countries. In Europe, basically the farther north you go, the more beards are acceptable.
There are lots of bearded JW elders in Scandanavia, while in Spain & Italy there are none.
Of course, in the USA, having a beard is a guarantee that you won't have any "privileges of service".
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punkofnice
When I looked after the Public Talk rota I had to ensure that no bro with a beard gave a talk in my congo. I got some 'hurumphs' from some of the other blokes in other congregations.
A circus over-sneer once commented that if an elder had a beard he could not speak at 'circuit level'. (Level? Heirarchy?)
The only bearded elders I knew had their beards tolerated as they had to have them for 'medical reasons' ie skin conditions that forbade shaving.
The more I look back the more 'mentally diseased' the whole cult control on beards is.
Total cult!!
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Alfred
There was a brother in one of my halls that had a serious skin condition that didn't allow him to shave... He was allowed to have a well-groomed beard and still go out in FS, give parts, etc.. Eventually, he was made MS... However, the elders were eventually forced to remove him after repeated "recommendations" from the CO (who thought this might cause some brothers to "stumble")... he was devastated and went into hiding for a long time...
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MeanMrMustard
When I lived in the south - no beards allowed on stage. When I lived in the north, and the weather got cold, beards were allowed on stage. Elders still shaved. Several elders had mustaches, however.
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cedars
I think the beards thing is arguably the most ridiculous piece of legislature that the Society have come up with. I'm surprised they haven't retracted it by now. I was always told that it all dates back to the hippie movement in the 60s and 70s, when anyone with a beard was automatically viewed as being a rebel. Nobody stopped and reasoned that, as a Jew, Jesus would have had a beard, and Russell definitely had one. It's absolute craziness, and I know many Witnesses on the inside can't figure it out, but they go along with it anyway.
Cedars
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minimus
I knew a Canadian elder in the late 70's who was a free spirit. He didn't last long.
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No Room For George
Christian Legalism at it's worst when it comes to the WT's beard policy.
The last District Convention, I thought it surprising to see a brother with a full beard manning one of the contribution boxes. I imagine some thought he was suspicious, but quite a few JWs knew him come to find out, so that put any concerns to rest. He looked like Marty Stouffer from Wild America.
Occasionally I grow a soul patch, and it's funny how the older brothers want to say something to me, but they can't as they don't have a leg to stand on. It's hilarious because I can see it in their eyes and disposition. In conversation their eyes glance from my eyes and dart towards my bottom lip similar to men who who have trouble focusing on a busty woman's eyes.
On the other hand, I've given talks in neighboring congregations, and within the more lighthearted Halls you'll see brothers with soul patches. The more rigid and conservative Halls you won't even find a mustache.
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wobble
Here in the U.K there are a few, they would not be used at a Circuit Assy etc for giving talks, even if you are just a publisher you may possibly not be used if bearded just to give a FS experience at the Assy !
In Ireland they can have one, but again don't get to do anything at Assys.
As Cedars says, this is typical Pharisee stuff, rule making, the rules are hidden too, not in any WT , but in the printed instructions to Bros handling Assy parts.
When rules are made like this , the local wacky Elders get to dictate what is worn at KH and in FS etc, which results in being able to spot a JW in any town anywhere, because they stand out as slightly weird.
How different from Jesus, who when being chased simply melted, and melded into the crowd, he must have had dress and grooming just like the "worldlings"'
Today, if Jesus dressed as do the normal people, he would not be allowed to visit Bethel.