Blue Jeans BANNED by Jehovahs Witnesses Governing body (page 3)

Yan Bibiyan

So what, we take red eye flights in 3 piece suits? Sounds comfortable.

Buncha freagin morons...

"delegates" are having their trips paid for or subsidized by the folks back home. It is not at all unreasonable for the society to provide these sort of guidelines, especially some of these hicks may be traveling to countries where blue jeans are simply not socially acceptable"

ChuckD

A thinking man .. a comprehensive reader

Of course we know that "by extension " this no jeans rule would be expected to be followed down the line

How unreasonable it is for factory works to change into a suit and tie for every meal...

it's good for appearance sake but a time

waster and a hassle for the workers

Londo111

The anti-blue jean vibe is another thing that really bothered me when I was in. The implication from the brochure about visiting Bethel was this was how a JW should dress all the time. Some elders did take this implication and voice it. I talked to a friend about it and he said, “The Israelites wore a blue string around the hem of their garment. There must be something that makes us stand out as different from the world.”

Then when I was listening to a history book of British history, the Puritan’s came up. The similarities were uncanny: the author was describing JWs to the tee. It was then I became aware of how much JWs were the like a new group of Puritans. It bothered me a great deal.

GromitSK

Why don't they just go the whole hog and have suits like IBM or different dress uniforms like the scientologists?

confusedandalone

Well it really comes as no surprise... at bethel you were preferred to wear khakis / all clothes without logos / and they had to fit a certain way etc...

This religion is just full of rules. It is always about what others see. I have traveled to a number of countries and see people wearing blue jeans all the time. It is rare to go anywhere and see the majority of the population in khakis everywhere they go because it just isn't comfortable.

Really if you go to a convention and then someone from the congo invites you to a barbecue.. gotta find some khakis.

What about fishing or football etc... When you have to put this much thought into your attire you have serious problems on your hand.

This reminds me of the black sister who was yanked from her District Convention part the day of when the D.O. saw you went from a perm to her natural hairstyle. Gotta love this quagmire of unofficial rules

BluesBrother

Too many rules by half ! like a bunch of pharisees.

However, it should be repeated that this seems to be for the "International Delegates" travelling on WT Charters to the shindigs next Summer. The locals who just go along will not see this. Of course, one is always expected to dress "for a meeting" at a hot ,perhaps dusty football stadium .....

What got to me was the rules and now the pictures of what is/is not aceptable to tour a Bethel Factory...They should be pleased that people want to visit.

edmond dantes

Yes the instructions on dress code are about right.....................................for company booksellers and not for representatives of Jesus.

Jesus would consider other top prioities first I can't find in the Bible where Jesus said "you must wear your best clothes where one or two are gathered together in my name." I think when he instructed his disciples he would have said dress informal come as you are.

Hey Governing Body please will you wash my feet while I listen up at the assembly .

blondie

DANCING AROUND "RULES"

*** w88 9/15 p. 30 Christians—Firm yet Flexible ***

Elders must also be flexible about applying various rules in the congregation. Never should they allow rules to ‘make the word of God invalid’ by giving such rules greater weight than the perfect principles of Jehovah’s Word.—Matthew 15:6; 23:23.

It is appropriate for elders to be flexible when Scriptural principles are not violated by such flexibility. For instance, they may note that at large, crowded conventions, the saving of seats is strongly discouraged. But must such a rule be enforced in a small congregation where seats are plentiful? Or the elders may feel that generally a certain form of attire—such as a jacket and tie for men—is appropriate for door-to-door preaching. Such was the case in a congregation in a South American land. Nevertheless, an elder there learned that a young man was holding back from sharing the good news with others. The reason? He could not afford to buy a jacket and a tie. The elder concluded that flexibility was in order and therefore encouraged the young man to begin sharing his faith with others.

*** w96 9/1 p. 21 par. 7 Living by the Law of the Christ ***

Some who have visited Bethel homes around the world say that such are good examples of balance in the matter of rules for a family. Though composed of adults, such institutions function much like families. Bethel operations are complex and require a fair number of rules—certainly more than the average family. Nevertheless, the elders taking the lead in Bethel homes, offices, and factory operations endeavor to apply the law of the Christ. They view it as their assignment not only to organize the work but also to promote spiritual progress and “the joy of Jehovah” among their fellow workers. (Nehemiah 8:10) Therefore, they endeavor to do things in a positive and encouraging way and strive to be reasonable. (Ephesians 4:31, 32) No wonder Bethel families are known for their joyful spirit!

*** w07 6/15 pp. 19-20 Are You Imitating Jehovah in Caring for Others? ***

Yes, the elders’ task is similar to that of shepherds. Christian elders are to care for the spiritually sick and readjust them so that their lives reflect righteous standards. The elders are responsible for organizing congregation activities, making arrangements for meetings, and maintaining order in the congregation.—1 Corinthians 14:33.

The above words of Peter, though, call our attention to a danger—that of elders’ “lording it over” the congregation. One step in that direction is an elder’s making unnecessary rules. Out of a strong sense of obligation to protect the flock, an elder might go too far. In one congregation in the Orient, elders made rules on how to greet others in the Kingdom Hall—such as who should speak first—believing that following these rules would contribute to the peace of the congregation. Though the motives were no doubt good, were those elders imitating Jehovah’s care for his people? Significantly, the apostle Paul’s mental attitude was reflected in his words: “Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing.” (2 Corinthians 1:24) Jehovah trusts his people.

*** w95 3/1 p. 7 Lessons From the Miracles of Jesus ***

Jesus’ Sabbath-day cures also exposed the Jewish scribes and Pharisees as being “righteous overmuch”—rigid and unbalanced in their thinking. (Ecclesiastes 7:16) Certainly, it was not God’s will that good works be restricted to certain days of the week; nor did God intend the Sabbath to be an empty exercise in rule following. Jesus said at Mark 2:27: “The sabbath came into existence for the sake of man, and not man for the sake of the sabbath.” Jesus loved people, not arbitrary rules.

Christians today thus do well not to be overly rigid or rule oriented in their thinking. Those in authority in the congregation refrain from burdening others with excessive man-made rules and policies. Jesus’ example also encourages us to look for opportunities to do good. For instance, never would a Christian reason that he will share Bible truths only when he is formally engaged in the house-to-house ministry or when he is on the public platform. The Christian, says the apostle Peter, should be “always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you.” (1 Peter 3:15) The doing of good has no time restrictions.

*** w94 7/1 p. 27 par. 13 Joyful Submission to Authority ***

An elder could think that in order to be theocratic, the brothers should obey all sorts of rules. Some elders have made rules out of suggestions given from time to time by “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45) For instance, it was once suggested that for the sake of more readily getting to know the brothers in the congregation, it might be good not always to sit in the same seat in the Kingdom Hall. This was meant to be a practical suggestion, not a hard-and-fast rule. But some elders may be inclined to convert it into a rule and to feel that those who do not follow it are not theocratic. Yet, there may be many good reasons why a brother or a sister might prefer to sit in a certain area. If an elder does not lovingly take such things into account, is he himself being truly theocratic? To be theocratic, “let all your affairs take place with love.”—1 Corinthians 16:14.

*** w92 8/15 pp. 13-15 pars. 18-23 Keep Building One Another Up ***

God did not give Israelites elaborate laws about dress. Evidently men and women used similar mantles, or outer garments, though a woman’s might be embroidered or be more colorful. Both sexes also wore a sa·dhin′, or undergarment. (Judges 14:12; Proverbs 31:24; Isaiah 3:23) What laws about clothing did God give? Neither men nor women were to wear clothes identified with the opposite sex, evidently with homosexual intent. (Deuteronomy 22:5) To show their being separate from surrounding nations, Israelites were to put a fringed edge on their garment, with a blue string above the fringe, and maybe tassels on the corners of the mantles. (Numbers 15:38-41) That basically is all the direction the Law gave about clothing styles.

19 While Christians are not under the Law, do we have other detailed rules about dress or adornment set out for us in the Bible? Not really.God provided balanced principles that we can apply. Paul wrote: “I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb.” (1 Timothy 2:9) Peter urged that rather than concentrating on physical adornment, Christian women should concentrate on “the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit.” (1 Peter 3:3, 4) That such counsel was recorded suggests that some first-century Christians may have needed to be more modest and restrained in their dress and grooming. Yet, instead of requiring—or forbidding—certain styles, the apostles simply provided upbuilding advice.

20 Jehovah’s Witnesses should be and generally are respected for their modest appearance. Nonetheless, styles vary from country to country and even within an area or a congregation. Of course, an elder having strong opinions or a certain taste in dress and grooming may decide accordingly for himself and his family. But as to the flock, he needs to bear in mind Paul’s point: “Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing.” (2 Corinthians 1:24) Yes, resisting any impulse to set rules for the congregation, the elders work to build up others’ faith.

21 As in the first century, at times a new or spiritually weak one may follow a questionable or unwise course in dress or the use of makeup or jewelry. What then? Again, Galatians 6:1 offers guidance for Christian elders who sincerely want to help. Before an elder decides to offer counsel, he may wisely consult with a fellow elder, preferably not going to an elder whom he knows shares his taste or thinking. If a worldly trend in dress or grooming seems to be affecting many in a congregation, the body of elders could discuss how best to provide help, such as by a kind, upbuilding part on a meeting or by offering individual assistance. (Proverbs 24:6; 27:17) Their goal would be to encourage the outlook reflected at 2 Corinthians 6:3: “In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, that our ministry might not be found fault with.”

22 Christian elders ‘shepherding the flock of God in their care’ want to do as Peter outlined, that is, not ‘lord it over those who are God’s inheritance.’ (1 Peter 5:2, 3) In the course of their loving work, questions may arise on matters where there could be differing preferences. Perhaps it is a local custom to stand to read paragraphs during the Watchtower Study. Group arrangements for field service and many other details about the ministry itself may be handled in a customary way. Still, would it be a disaster if someone had a slightly different way? Loving overseers desire that “things take place decently and by arrangement,” which expression Paul used regarding the miraculous gifts. But the context shows that Paul’s main interest was “the upbuilding of the congregation.” (1 Corinthians 14:12, 40) He showed no inclination to make an endless number of rules, as if absolute uniformity or complete efficiency were his prime objective. He wrote: “The Lord gave us [the authority] to build you up and not to tear you down.”—2 Corinthians 10:8.

*** w88 9/15 p. 29 Christians—Firm yet Flexible ***

Most Christians have little trouble submitting to clearly defined Bible laws. But Christians are told: “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you.” (Hebrews 13:17) Congregation elders may designate specific times for the congregation to meet for field service. Or they may specify that Kingdom Hall equipment should be used in a certain way. True, no Bible text spells out how a thermostat should be adjusted or who should do such adjusting. Yet, when the elders make such decisions, is it not a fine thing to cooperate?

Dagney

I think the WT rules and regulations for most things are ridiculous and stupid.

However I don't see what is wrong for having a dress code for being part of a delegation for an entity you are representing. Dress codes are normal for all sorts of organizations and travel. You don't wear shorts into cathedrals. You don't wear pants in Egypt or Morrocco if you are a lady.

JW GoneBad

I find it odd that those invited to these conventions are 'exemplary' JWs (Elders, MSs and Pioneers) and still these exemplary JWs have to be told what to wear, when to wear and where to wear.

You can't be all that exemplary and mature if 'Mother' still has to dress you!

And no jeans in Mexico City, Mexico of all places!

Blue Jeans BANNED by Jehovahs Witnesses Governing body