How do the GB micro-manage people's lives today? (page 2)

Phoebe

Beards are allowed over here, saw loads at the convention in London last year.

Micro management could also be subject to the whims of your local elders.

I remember the 'no white socks' rule.

Also, satellite TV was a no-no as was video players as everyone would be tempted to watch 'video nasties'

Computers were a no-no for awhile because we can't be trusted not to watch bad things.

Video games are still frowned upon.

When I was a teenager it was no short skirts then the 'midi' skirt came in and we thought hurrah, a fashion we can wear but then 'no midi's' it's deemed too fashionable. So having let all our skirts down to comply with the ban on minis we now had to take them up to comply with the ban on midis...you couldn't win.

When my husband came into the truth he was told he could no longer be a DJ (back in the early 80s) and he could no longer go and watch football matches. He was made to give up going to watch is favourite team play.

I'm in the process of breaking free of 60 years of micro management.

UnshackleTheChains

Beards are allowed over here, saw loads at the convention in London last year.

I live in the UK. I know of a brother who was spoken to at the back of the kingdom hall recently by the COBE for growing a beard. He was told that brothers shouldn't wear beards and to follow the example of the brothers on the platform at assembly's.

This guy is an out and out company man who goes by every single policy or guideline within the flock book and branch guidelines. I also know for a fact he micro manages the body of elders in the hall.

millie210

Beards are allowed over here, saw loads at the convention in London last year.
Micro management could also be subject to the whims of your local elders.

Here we had a "no jeans skirts" rule. Meaning the material the skirt was made out of could not be the same as the material blue jeans are made out of. This was strictly enforced - one pioneer sister was threatened with being taken off the Pioneer list if she did not comply.

When my husband came into the truth he was told he could no longer be a DJ (back in the early 80s) and he could no longer go and watch football matches. He was made to give up going to watch is favourite team play.

After reading your post I am thinking that the 80s were a stand out in strictness. So much has been loosened (and at the same time, tightened, so weird) now as compared to then.

WTWizard

I believe it was in the 1970s that the oral sex proscription was in effect, starting in 1969 and running until they retracted it in early 1978. They did still view it as a houndable offense, meaning no pious-sneering or missionary work but not as a judicial offense.

Of course, they will insist on anyone going on this Israel mission comply with that rule anyways, as oral sex will prevent you from getting these "privileges(??)". But then again, who wants to waste their time and money going to such a dreary place for a stupid mission?

FedUpJW

How do the GB micro-manage people's lives today?

How don't they?

millie210

Thanks WTWizard. I am no good with dates and trying to work off memory. What you are saying sounds right to me!

So question....do they actually ask people about this stuff or are you supposed to confess? Like their policy on the big "M" word? (masturbation)

Anony Mous

Someone quoted contraception, alcohol and diet as the only places a JW can resolve their own guidance.

JWs can use some but not all contraceptions (not morning-after pill), but they're not allowed/discouraged to share their decisions in conversation with others so as not to stumble or cause controversy.

Alcohol can be consumed although getting drunk or even buzzed is not allowed. It's highly recommended not to have alcohol during gatherings with friends and again, conversations about your consumption is discouraged. Alcohol consumption is compulsory for members of the 144000 class even if medically prohibited (most churches and even Jews use grape juice).

Food: again, don't consume too much or be too extravagant with your food choices. Food choices at parties, again, highly regulated so as not to stumble (e.g. You don't find caviar and lobster even if one can afford it). You're not allowed to consume blood - black sausage, Scottish eggs, some people even include raw or rare cooked beef.

Etude

Additionally, I remember the "no blue jeans" rule in Brooklyn and the idea that I had to shave my mustache under pressure from the factory servant.

Etude.

Chook

Everything in a JWs life has tried to be influenced by head office. They even show how some poor bastard has to dress and groom to visit bethel. They try and manage where people sit in the hall eg babies at the back, elderly on the floor at assemblies, they even tried to manage the car park at our old hall. All abusive relationships are about control, the mothership of Warwick has no bounds on suggestive control techniques. That's why meekness is pursued, there is less commotion as they file for the slaughter house.

UnshackleTheChains

I had the floor overseer tell me that I couldn't read the Bible during my breaks. When I asked why, he replied that it's because the Society had deemed to give me an opportunity to "rest" and that I should "enjoy it" and show appreciation for that. Yeah, the guy was "super-fine" and didn't think that his argument made no sense even if my intent was to "relax"

My oh my.....did this guy not know that reading is actually a form of relaxation? Telling you not to read the Bible was interesting. Wasn't there a time when brothers were advised not to study the Bible independently without wt articles. Perhaps this guy thought you were doing that and came up with his lame excuse.

How do the GB micro-manage people's lives today?

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