I was reading the Oct.15, 1908 Zion's Watch Tower this evening and came across a number of articles discussing the "Vow". The "Vow" was recommended by the Tower and said to be "part and parcel of our original baptismal vow--- a re-statement of it". Here's what Christians were told they should "vow"..........."I further vow that, with the exceptions below, I will at all times, in all places, conduct myself towards those of the opposite sex in private exactly as I would do with them in public---in the presence of a congregation of the Lord's people. And as far as reasonably possible I will avoid being in the same room with any of the opposite sex alone, unless the door to the room stand wide open. Exceptions in the case of brethren: wife, children, mother and natural sisters. In the case of sisters: husband, children, father and natural brothers."
Would You Have Taken The "Vow"???
by minimus 21 Replies latest jw friends
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minimus
I think that this part of the "Vow" is a general rule told to every male in the organization. As I was reading these articles, I saw emphasis being placed throughout that year on the "Vow", "miracle wheat" and "spiritism". It seems Russell was consumed with these subjects!
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Elsewhere
There is a saying: If you can control someone's sex life, then you can control anything about them.
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minimus
Blondie, I just read that excellent link! Russell should've taken the "Vow" before he had to go to court.
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Stacy Smith
No chance of me taking any vows, ever. Can't imagine anyone taking them who really thought about what they were doing.
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minimus
They published all the names of the "Vow-takers" in the Watch Tower. A person got real recognition if they accepted the conditions of the "Vow". Even when certain ones took exception to the contents, the takers or the purpose of the "Vow", CTR still made a huge deal about taking this "Vow". So, peer pressure must've been high at that time!
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Euphemism
The vow's pretty much standard practice in a lot of--if not most--JW congregations nowadays. After all, if a brother were to be alone in a room with a sister, even if it was perfectly innocent, someone might "misunderstand" and "be stumbled." As in... "Do you know what I just heard about Brother Bighands and Sister Bigsomething? I am so stumbled..."
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gumby
I wonder what they do in Africa when a witness brother needs to conduct a study with a woman and he's the only one around? Does he keep the' vow 'mentality and tell her to leave her door open?
Taking a vow such as that, is like asking someone to promise to god they won't ever sin in a certain manner.......total stupidity.
Gumby
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proudassmonkey
the hard and fast bethel rule is that if there are two unmarried members of the opposite sex in the room; the door must remain open. although you should see how small that crack of the door is. so yes i guess the vow is taken. but everyone knows not to go near a cracked door. and so it is pointless.
melissa