That is a good one, gadget. Here is the Society's reasoning on the beard thing. Notice there are no Scriptures cited.
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w75 8/15 pp. 500-501 Do Not Let Yourself Be Ensnared by Fads and Entertainment *** 9
Extreme hair styles can easily lead one into a trap of the Devil also, and cause others to stumble. For example, a young man in the United States was making fine progress in his study of the Bible, and he was moved to share with an experienced Witness in preaching to others about the good things he was learning from the Bible. From early youth he had let his beard grow, and since some in the business community wore beards, he felt that his wearing one in preaching to others would be acceptable generally. But in speaking to a lady he was unable to do more than introduce himself, when she said: "I?m sorry, young man, I do not want to become involved in student revolt." No amount of explanation after this sufficed to clear up the misimpression. After the conversation ended with the closing of the door, he asked the experienced Witness what had happened. He was invited to consider his appearance in relation to what he claimed to be, a servant of God. Not wanting to be responsible for even one person?s being stumbled so as to miss the way to everlasting life, this new Kingdom publisher shaved off his beard. Would you be willing to do the same or to make similar adjustments if your appearance gave the wrong impression in a certain community?
LOL, beards can lead one into a trap of the Devil also!
This is a dumb-arse viewpoint. This new JW who was "making fine progress" is an extreme example and not very realistic. If he was rejected by the householder it was probably because "from early youth he had let his beard grow". If he looked like ZZTOP, I can see a householder getting a bit judgemental, but a trimned well kept beard would not cause a householder freak . . . geezzz.
And where is the Scripture to back that up?????
No wait! They did cite a Scripture! 2 Corinthians 6:3-4 3 In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, that our ministry might not be found fault with; 4 but in every way we recommend ourselves as God?s ministers, by the endurance of much, by tribulations, by cases of need, by difficulties . . . "
OK so, a well groomed beard would be a cause for stumbling? "Hey, buddy, I am not going to listen to you because everyone and their uncle knows that beards are from the Devil, so don't talk to me!"
I suppose that is why the WTBTS depicted Jesus as a clean shaven man for so many years.
Corvin
