To beard or not to beard...

by Saltheart Foamfollower 10 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Saltheart Foamfollower

  ...that is the question our circuit overseer asked the elders. To elaborate, the agenda for the co meeting with the elders had an item about the "beard paragraph" (Sept watchtower p21 para 17) which I assumed would be an instruction to not use any with beards on the platform. Instead he genuinely wanted to know if we would recommend a brother if he had a beard but everything else was OK. He kept pressing until he got 100% saying yes - a beard isn't a problem. He seemed to be recording the results as he visits different congregations.

  Any other elders had this? Or is he just just doing it for himself?

  SF
  
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  Ding

  I am not an elder.

  Never been one.

  However, I wanted to comment because it sounds to me like he's starting to wake up to the legalism in the organization.

  I doubt he'll be a CO much longer.
  
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  Saltheart Foamfollower

  The funny thing is that he is a recent CO and is the most extreme example of a "company man" I have come across. It may just be that he has been directed to do this and that the beard restriction will be relaxed eventually. The point in the paragraph which he highlighted was where it says "In fact, some appointed brothers have beards" and said it is the first time that has ever appeared in print.

  Also, of course I didn't mean to restrict the discussion to elders - not many of us here!

  SF
  
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  pale.emperor

  It's only a friggin beard (rolls eyes) why is a meeting needed for something every first century christian had?

  I take pride in that i was the first bearded man to give a talk in my congregation since 1955. The speaker didnt turn up and no one else understood the subject but yours truely.
  
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  hoser

  Bunch of Pharisees.
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  Phizzy

  I was appointed a M.S whilst wearing a beard here in the U.K in the early '80's. We had several Elders who grew beards, admittedly not before they were appointed, but would it have made a difference ? depends on the C.O at the time perhaps.

  No way in those days would you be used on a Convention Platform in any way wearing a beard, or be allowed as a beard wearing Elder to head a Convention Department, I don't know if this is still the same.

  I always said at the time if Jesus turned up at Bethel wearing a beard, he would be refused entry.

  What a load of plonkers the JW Rule makers were, and still are.
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  Chook

  It's not rocket science to realise that all the supposed good guys in the bible had beards and the bad guys were clean shaven. With my wisdom they might want my take on other issues next Wednesday .
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  All or nothing

  My husband and I are curious what area of our country (USA) or the world are you?
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  Saltheart Foamfollower

  All or nothing - I am in the UK (I don't want to be any more specific than that)

  Maybe the GB are preparing the way to invite Cedars to join them

  SF
  
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  zeb

  Had a beard years ago (do now too got sick of shaving) and at the MS meeting there was a whole section devoted to beards and I was the only one. Nothing said about wearing skimpies to the hall same elders daughter.

  Nothing had been said to me before either.