RDW,
You noticed something I wondered about some time ago, while learning about other countries. I am most familiar with the Netherlands so most of what I say will be somewhat of a comparison between the US and the Netherlands.
Maybe most of the doctrines are the same, but there seems to be a big difference in:
* beards. Fully accepted at this moment in our country. However, during the 70's it was frowned upon because it would reflect the world to much. My dad was tolled he even had to get rid of his moustace, he didn't and because of this did not get any privileges.
*clothing. From what I hear: in some places you are not allowed to wear colered bottondown shirts, only white ones. Ridiculous! Same story in holland: now permitted, during the 70's frowned upon. The rule for skirts is just above the knee. However this rule is hardly enforced.
*tattoos. Heavy frowned upon. No privileges. Won't get you DF-ed though.
*piercing body. Hmm sofar I can see it is permitted, no privileges, you will be labeled weak.
*grooming in general. Pretty everything is ok, as long as you are not touching anything inappropriate during meetings. I know some cases where a boyfriend went with her familie on a trip and slept over (in a seperate bed, but still...) My parents were tolled during the 70's that they could not hold hands during the meetings...so I guess a lot has changed.
*cars. No rules for cars in our country.
*jobs you do. Nothing military or religious. Further no rules.
*schooling. Most parents encourage their children now to go for what they can. I do university for instance. Only elderly people frown upon this.
*movies. The Dutch do not rate the movies like the Americans. So R-rated movies cannot be banned. Everything is left to the individual. I know some (even elders and MS-ers that went with me to LOTR and Potter. Others frown upon this.
*swearing. The dutch swear alot. When in company with youth the word 'shit' is not uncommon. I friend of mine went to the states and was surprised that even the youth there was offended when he said shit, as he missed the ball at a game of pool.
Read one comment (can't remeber who it was) who said that the USA JW's seem to be alot more concerned about stupid little things then most other countries.
Yes, everything seems to be regulated in the US. The Dutch have a more "mind your own buisiness" attitude. More liberal. Well, we can't smoke pot though, so not THAT liberal...
Also brings up the question WHY ???????
Because they are not as united as they wanna be. It's not one big brotherhood, it's more a collection of multiple small subcultures with an own interpretation of the rules. As long as anything is not written in black and white it is open to interpretation. Note that never the issues of colered shirts are in the WT. Those subcultures would change if everything would be spelled out in the WT, but they are reluctant to do so ofcourse.
I read one brother got taken off his responsibilites because he grew a beard, but in some countries overseers have one, should he change countries ??? Did not Jesus and the apostles have beards ??? Or will the Watchtower receive "new light" and change the pictures in upcoming books/magazines ???
funny that you mention this: in the 70's they changed all the pictures of Jesus and such. Yes, without beards! they even had some archeological evidence for this...:
*** w54 8/15 511 Questions from Readers ***
The traditional picture of Jesus shows him with long hair and beard, but the Watch Tower publications illustrate him as beardless and with short hair. Which is correct?—M. H., United States. The later Watch Tower publications show Jesus as beardless and with short hair because he is shown that way in representations of him that are older than the traditional effeminate-looking picture. (...)Since the Bible does not describe Jesus’ facial appearance or indicate he had a beard of length, we follow
the oldest archaeological evidence rather than the later traditional view that makes Jesus appear effeminate and sallow and sanctimonious. Greven
